Electrical Problems Battery Draining & A/C not working

hardnocks · 03-29-2021, 07:33 AM

Got a used Cruiser 2011 CF305SK bought As Is and did not check all items out. Now I have found a dead battery so I replaced it and it discharged overnight to 2 Volts. I had my electrician install a 50 amp 240 volts plug 3 pole 4 wire next to my RV pad. The front AC, microwave, slides and most lights and running lights, awning, front TV and front jacks are working but the Main A/C Dometic, Jensen radio, fridge and electric water heater and many status lights do not work. I think here is a short in 12V system.

ANy help or suggestion would be much appreciated. I was going to go on a well deserved vacation but not until I figure this mess out first.

**dagst1** · 03-29-2021, 08:42 AM

DO NOT PLUG YOUR CAMPER INTO A 240 VOLT PLUG IT IS A 110 VOLT SYSTEM!!!!!

If you have already plugged it in you may have some major problems.

Most thing are 12 volt with the exception of the AC, wall outlets, water heater electric element and the refrigerator electric element.

Please provide more information to help in the diagnosis. Example - Have you plugged it in yet? Have you checked all your breakers and fuses. Also double check with the electrician to see if you have a 110 v or a 220 v outlet installed.

hardnocks · 03-29-2021, 09:17 AM

Sorry I was mistaken it is a 50 amp 110 volts plug.

**dagst1** · 03-29-2021, 09:26 AM

Thats good!

Now have you checked all the 110 volt breakers and the 12 volt fuses? Turn the breakers off then back on sometimes they look ok but are actually tripped.

You have 2 separate systems - 12 volt and 110 volt. First on the 12 volt side disconnect the battery and with a multi meter check the battery cables for voltage with the camper plugged in to 110. You should have 13 or more.

With a used camper you never know what problems you have bought. Did the previous owner tell you of any electrical problems?

hardnocks · 03-29-2021, 09:42 AM

No I bought it from Lewis RV in OKC they claim it was checked but I don't believe them since the battery was dead when we tried to lower the rig onto my hitch. I did notice some of the indicator lights did not light up mainly the electric/gas water heater. Unfortunately I did not have them show me all the main A/C, water heater, fridge & radio were working. Then they gave me a bad cable and it took them 3 days to get me the keys. Not good all around. The sales manager said it was working when the received the trade in

ugauga · 03-29-2021, 10:11 AM

If you bought it from a dealer I would definitely take it back. As dagst1 said you have 2 separate systems: 12V and 120V. From your description it seems like both may be defective. Lights and radio are 12V, A/C is 120V. Moreover one A/C working while other not - that's funky.

**dagst1** · 03-29-2021, 10:33 AM

When you check the 110 side be sure the breaker at the box has not tripped 1 side and also check the camper breaker to see if one side of the 50 amp main has tripped. That would explain one AC working and one not as they are on separate sides of the 50 amp breaker.

hardnocks · 03-31-2021, 02:05 PM

Cruiser anyone know where the convert or an invertor is located in the rv?

**dagst1** · 03-31-2021, 02:22 PM

Have you located the fuse/breaker panel? The converter is part of that power center. You should have a converter not an inverter. Unless someone has added one.

hardnocks · 03-31-2021, 04:42 PM

Convertor is next to the distribution panel under a floor panel in the cabinet. My electrician found some bad 12 V fuses, broken spades, the A/C breakers all have correct power so it must me a hopefully not mice chewed wire but a bad drain on the battery. The rear power jacks are not hooked up. He said it look like it has been well used meaning the dist panel has been rewired to move around the broken spades. Oh well they will fix it

**dagst1** · 03-31-2021, 04:54 PM

Let us know what the fix is as it may help someone else.

Sounds like the electrician is the best way to go. When we buy something pre owned we never know what has been done or if it was done correctly.

TerryH · 04-04-2021, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardnocks

Got a used Cruiser 2011 CF305SK bought As Is and did not check all items out. Now I have found a dead battery so I replaced it and it discharged overnight to 2 Volts. I had my electrician install a 50 amp 240 volts plug 3 pole 4 wire next to my RV pad. The front AC, microwave, slides and most lights and running lights, awning, front TV and front jacks are working but the Main A/C Dometic, Jensen radio, fridge and electric water heater and many status lights do not work. I think here is a short in 12V system.

ANy help or suggestion would be much appreciated. I was going to go on a well deserved vacation but not until I figure this mess out first.

1) Turn Off all breakers except the one for your CONVERTER/ CHARGER, and with a voltmeter set to DCV, see if CONVERTER is putting out proper voltage? 2)
What are BATTERY CABLE COLORS? If BLACK/WHITE is BLACK connected to POS+? If RED/ BLACK is RED connected to POS+? IF you installed battery backwards, you blew the FUSES for the charger?

TerryH · 04-04-2021, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardnocks

Sorry I was mistaken it is a 50 amp 110 volts plug.

Technically, 50a 4-wire is DUAL 120VAC CIRCUITS, which can provide 240vac... and which some big Class A owners say Yes, they do have/ do use (some) 240vac appliances

**Lloyd** · 04-04-2021, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryH

Technically, 50a 4-wire is DUAL 120VAC CIRCUITS, which can provide 240vac... and which some big Class A owners say Yes, they do have/ do use (some) 240vac appliances

Like what?

Wingerdinger · 04-04-2021, 07:51 PM

Without getting too far into the 110-220 discussion, what you have coming into your RV is two separate legs of 110 volts each. They are usually fed to a dual main circuit breaker, and usually the only dual one you have. I was first thinking you had one leg out, but you stated that your electrician told you all the circuit breakers had power.
I believe you have a 12 volt power problem, probably your converter isn't working. Check the reverse polarity fuses first, and make sure you have the polarity correct. Those fuses are harder to get to, they are inside the panel, down on the convertor itself.
All of the devices you listed use 12 volts for control circuits, so it could be just a 12 volt power problem.
When plugged to shore power, you should have 13+ volts at the battery.
Happy Easter to all who celebrate.

**dagst1** · 04-04-2021, 07:52 PM

After some searching i found that indeed some very high end motor coaches - Think Provost and above do use 240 volt clothes dryers/heat pumps and hot water heaters. But there price tags usually have 7 figures so it's something i will never see.

**Lloyd** · 04-05-2021, 06:45 AM

It's hard to believe there is any campgrounds/RV resorts out there that they could be plugged into.
None that I have been to anyway.

**dagst1** · 04-05-2021, 06:49 AM

On board generators. I think it would be mostly tour busses/ racing teams that do not camp.

hardnocks · 04-08-2021, 05:59 PM

update today my electrician found a short in the Esco brake disconnect that caused the battery drain and Converter fuse blowing. I now have the Dometic A/C and refer working ans stereo Just need a rear jack switch, replacement external speakers and the brake disconnector and some other minor stuff. Glad to see it mostly now works... The short caused the battery to drain and the Converter to blow fuses.

**dagst1** · 04-08-2021, 06:02 PM

Little bit at a time and you will soon have a good one. And you will know that everything works.

You may also like: