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Lights Out

Warren Mary Ellen

Warren Mary Ellen

Ranger
Got to the campground at dusk & started setting up things. Had the galley light on plus one inside the camper. All of sudden everything went out at once. Battery had been showing 13 & it’s always plugged in at the house. There was no nothing on the screen where the voltage number is displayed. When we checked the amount of charge, it said fully charged.

Had power once we plugged in at the site. Register 13.6 while plugged in. Battery? Fuse? Both? Gremlins?
 
Did you try unplugging it to see if it all goes out again?

Also, it is possible it has a loose battery connection.

Do you have the 12 volt (DC outlet) plug in volt meter or the built-in one under the countertop?
 
Betsey said:
Did you try unplugging it to see if it all goes out again?

Also, it is possible it has a loose battery connection.

Do you have the 12 volt (DC outlet) plug in volt meter or the built-in one under the countertop?
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I unplugged it & everything went out immediately.

we have the plug in volt meter.
 
With shore power at the campsite you might leave this until you get home if it’s just a weekend trip.

For sure check the master switch. I think the galley light and cabin lights are on different fuses, so, unlikely to be the problem (but possible.)

1) Everything Betsey suggested above.

If you go into it I think you’re looking in the battery compartment.
2) There is a 50a breaker, I think it’s in the battery compartment between the positive post on the battery and the + battery stud on the inside of the exterior wall in the compartment.
3) Check that connections on the battery posts are solid with no corrosion.

From there it’s likely into some troubleshooting, using a tester to check the presence of 12v from the battery to the posts to the fuseblock etc.
 
Open up battery compartment. Slide battery out a little bit. Follow the + (red) battery wire. It will either go to the fuseblock, the 50 amp circuit breaker or a + battery stud. If it goes to the circuit breaker, there is a small button on the side of the circuit breaker. Push in button. This resets the breaker. If this fixes everything when you are not plugged in to shore power, this was the problem. If it doesn't fix the problem or there wasn't a circuit breaker, it is either a loose connection or a bad battery. For a loose connection, check both ends of the two wires hooked to the battery by wiggling them to see if they are loose. If they are, you will either need to tighten the bolt or replace the crimped connector on the end of the wire. If this still isn't the problem, check the connections on both ends of the wire that comes from the center of the fuseblock. If that isn't the problem, take the camper to an automotive parts store (nota dealership) and have them check the battery. They will do this for free. Report back your findings. If none of these is the issue, call Craig on Monday, 608-565-7443 x6.
 
Betsey said:
Open up battery compartment. Slide battery out a little bit. Follow the + (red) battery wire. It will either go to the fuseblock, the 50 amp circuit breaker or a + battery stud. If it goes to the circuit breaker, there is a small button on the side of the circuit breaker. Push in button. This resets the breaker. If this fixes everything when you are not plugged in to shore power, this was the problem. If it doesn't fix the problem or there wasn't a circuit breaker, it is either a loose connection or a bad battery. For a loose connection, check both ends of the two wires hooked to the battery by wiggling them to see if they are loose. If they are, you will either need to tighten the bolt or replace the crimped connector on the end of the wire. If this still isn't the problem, check the connections on both ends of the wire that comes from the center of the fuseblock. If that isn't the problem, take the camper to an automotive parts store (nota dealership) and have them check the battery. They will do this for free. Report back your findings. If none of these is the issue, call Craig on Monday, 608-565-7443 x6.
Click to expand...

We tightened up the bolts. Seems to be better. Lights & fan are running without being plugged into AC. And that was the case before we tightened the bolts today when we unplugged it. Afterwards, the meter was showing 14.4. A few hours later & unplugged it still shows 14. We have a multi meter with us and it showed 12 volts while unhooked from shore power.

We’ll be ok until we go home Monday & probably get it tested to know for sure about the battery. I’ll let Craig know how it turns out. Thanks, Warren
 
Betsey said:
Open up battery compartment. Slide battery out a little bit. Follow the + (red) battery wire. It will either go to the fuseblock, the 50 amp circuit breaker or a + battery stud. If it goes to the circuit breaker, there is a small button on the side of the circuit breaker. Push in button. This resets the breaker. If this fixes everything when you are not plugged in to shore power, this was the problem. If it doesn't fix the problem or there wasn't a circuit breaker, it is either a loose connection or a bad battery. For a loose connection, check both ends of the two wires hooked to the battery by wiggling them to see if they are loose. If they are, you will either need to tighten the bolt or replace the crimped connector on the end of the wire. If this still isn't the problem, check the connections on both ends of the wire that comes from the center of the fuseblock. If that isn't the problem, take the camper to an automotive parts store (nota dealership) and have them check the battery. They will do this for free. Report back your findings. If none of these is the issue, call Craig on Monday, 608-565-7443 x6.
Click to expand...


LOL Betsey ...you sound like you have lived with Craig for a LOOOONNNGGG time
 
Warren Mary Ellen said:
Mary Ellen is a science teacher raised by a Service Manager for Olds/Cadillac/Buick. I get to go to do the heavy lifting & take the trash to the dumpster. I have no mechanical skills. LOL
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Funny you say Olds/Cadillac/Buick....I used to go to Flint MI. to the B.O.C. (Buick/Olds/Cadillac) plant in the 80's ....and there was an A.C. Delco spark plug plant close by also...those days seem so far away
 
Hey all, I'm digging into an old thread here for the AC being offline when not on shore power - and hoping someone can help me unravel this electrical issue.

I’ve a 2021 560, which has been awesome! However, this last weekend on the second day of boondocking, we discovered that the AC outlets were not working (inside, and by the kitchen), but the DC plugs and USB plugs continue to have power (So the Dometic continues to run!). I can’t be certain just when the AC by itself cut out – but I regularly use an AC via the kitchen to recharge small electronics, and this was the first time I’ve encountered an issue.

The 560’s batteries remain well charged through the use of the built-in solar connection – while we use a solar generator (2,200 w AC) as shore power when it’s less sunny, and to keep the Keurig mini running. This issue was discovered by trying to charge a cell phone via the kitchen AC plug while my solar generator was across the campsite in a sunny spot and not physically connected as shore power.

Now that we’re home, I’ve been able to confirm:

· If I am on any form of shore power, the AC outlets work. This includes the grid, or use of the solar generator.
· If there is no shore power connection to deliver juice, the AC has no power.
· Regardless of AC, the DC is always fine – drawing from the onboard battery which remains charged.

After reading this discussion, I investigated the battery to follow the positive (red) wire. That wire leads from the battery through a hole up into a sealed wood cavity, which sprouts the battery charge meter and what appears to be the fuse. By the battery as well as in the cavity, all connections remain tight and bright.

Resetting that fuse/button has no effect on the system. The AC remains AWOL. When pushing what appears to be the reset button on the fuse, there is no sensation of it actually resetting a breaker, like I’m used to via other push fuses. As the DC continues to work, I suspect that isn’t the issue.

Anyone with superior electrical system knowledge have any thoughts? Could the fuse/reset be kaput and affect the AC but not the DC? If it would cut both off, then what might affect AC from the onboard battery while allowing shore power to flow into the system?
 
AC outlets do not work unless you have shore power. There is no connection to the DC power system and the AC outlets. The only way you can power up the AC outlets is to be connected to a shore power connection, whether it be campground power, portable generator or a solar generator box.

Cary
 
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