Power went out

G Longstreet · 11-03-2014, 07:17 PM

Hi, i have had my 2005 Itasca 38 Sunrise for about a month now.
It is my third RV since 2009.

The other night our rural community lost power.
I expected that I would be able to have auxiliary power from the two house batteries, which were fully charged, but all I could do is start the motor and run the lights on the dashboard. I was not able to start the generator either.

I checked all of the AC and DC breakers (I used to run a nuclear power plant in a submarine, and a motor home is not very different, except it is far more comfortable).

Do I need to physically unplug the motorhome before these other power sources will function? Or is there a magic button somewhere hidden in the machine?

Don't worry about making me feel stupid.
Glen

JohnRR · 11-03-2014, 07:20 PM

:welcome:
Good luck with a solution and fast.

skigramp · 11-03-2014, 10:33 PM

Is your house battery switch turned to OFF?

You should have a switch probably in the stepwell (maybe on the dash) marked AUX BATTERY that controls the house batteries ...

cbeierl · 11-04-2014, 12:02 AM

Just in case you don't have a copy, here's the Operator Manual for your coach. It describes the Aux Battery Switch in Section 9.

Medico · 11-04-2014, 05:34 AM

Welcome and glad to meet you!

DieselTech39 · 11-04-2014, 09:43 AM

:welcome:

Glad you're aboard Glen. Congrats on the new to you rig. Sorry you're having problems. Best of luck on a solution. Enjoy your adventures and be safe.

1ciderdog · 11-04-2014, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G Longstreet

Hi, i have had my 2005 Itasca 38 Sunrise for about a month now.
It is my third RV since 2009.

Do I need to physically unplug the motorhome before these other power sources will function? Or is there a magic button somewhere hidden in the machine?

Glen

You should not need to unplug the RV from shorepower.

wa8yxm · 11-04-2014, 04:37 PM

You should not need to unplug, Your symptoms indicate one of two conditions

1: DEAD house batteries and I mean DEAD!!!!

2: Disconnected house batteries.

When I had a sticks and bricks I had an electrician install a proper Generator transfer and inlet,, on the motor home I put in a proper 30 amp outlet matching the inlet.. Came in handy a few times it did.

I kept rig plugged in and batteries connected full time.

NeilV · 11-05-2014, 03:14 AM

The bypass switch in the stepwell is easy to accidentally kick and put into the bypass mode which will disconnect your house batteries from the coach. Look there first if you have no lights. Also under the top step may be a carpeted panel covering a steel panel hiding additional 12V popups and the main which should be around 50 amps and may have tripped if there was a surge before the outage or if the batteries were drawing high.

JohnRR · 11-05-2014, 06:48 AM

So Glenn any update with resolution?

MSHappyCampers · 11-05-2014, 07:32 AM

Hi Glen! Welcome to the forum! We're sure glad you joined the crew!

Sorry I can't help with your question. Enjoy the forum!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

bobbyl · 11-05-2014, 08:21 AM

Had same issue, turned out to be fuses on Converter. You may try starting the coach and then push the Aux battery switch on the dash. Have you checked the voltage on the panel board for the house batteries? If it was a power surge that caused you to lose power in the S/B house it could have blown fuses on converter. My coach generator would not start until I used the aux battery switch and restored some 12v power to the coach.

Stevegd007 · 11-09-2014, 11:00 PM

Not mentioned here is the Generator has a fuel cut out switch an if your MH fuel gauge is 1/4 or less the Generator is prevented from starting. Keeps the fuel for the MH engine.
The other suggestions are spot on. Battery and Aux switch.
Welcome to the Forum...come back for your questions...

wa8yxm · 11-10-2014, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevegd007

Not mentioned here is the Generator has a fuel cut out switch an if your MH fuel gauge is 1/4

Nothing that complex, the tank has two fuel outlets one for the generator one for the main engine.

The siphon tube for the generator only goes 3/4 the way to the bottom, the other one nearly all the way.

The result is when the tank hits 1/4 full on the way down, the Generator Fuel pump sucks air.

Rossi6998 · 11-10-2014, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G Longstreet

Hi, i have had my 2005 Itasca 38 Sunrise for about a month now.
It is my third RV since 2009.

The other night our rural community lost power.
I expected that I would be able to have auxiliary power from the two house batteries, which were fully charged, but all I could do is start the motor and run the lights on the dashboard. I was not able to start the generator either.

I checked all of the AC and DC breakers (I used to run a nuclear power plant in a submarine, and a motor home is not very different, except it is far more comfortable).

Do I need to physically unplug the motorhome before these other power sources will function? Or is there a magic button somewhere hidden in the machine?

Don't worry about making me feel stupid.
Glen

Hi Glen,

Regarding the generator, if your motorhome is like mine, you will need to unplug from shore power because the power cord will need to be plugged into the generator outlet (don't know technical name for this outlet). This is what allows the generator to power onboard appliances, A/C, etc. within motorhome.

With my 2013 Itasca Sunstar, this outlet is located in the bay with the water connection and dump valves. With my RV, if the power cord is not plugged into this outlet, the generator will not start. Must be a safety feature.

Good luck.
John