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Changed RV's House Batteries Still Have No Power

by Anonymous


2005 Damon Challenger batteries not working. Just replaced both house batteries and the only thing that works is shore power and generator. No power when unplugged or generator not working.

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ANSWER: Hi thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.

I am assuming that when you say that you have no power in your motorhome when not plugged in or the generator is not running that you are talking about 12 volt DC power to the interior lights, etc. in the RV not 120 Volt AC to the electric outlets in the RV. The 120 volt electric outlets will not work when unplugged unless you have a 12-Volt DC to 120-Volt AC Power Inverter connected to your house batteries.

The fact that your motorhome's generator starts is a good sign because the generator is started by the house batteries. Below I have listed a few things to check to see if you can resolve this problem yourself.

* Your RV may be equipped with a Battery Disconnect Switch. If this switch is activated you will have the problem that you describe. I cannot tell you the exact location of this switch in your particular RV. In most RVs they are located near the entrance of the RV or on the RVs main control panel located in the RV.

* Double check your house batteries to make sure that all wires are connected, and that all of the connections are clean and tight. Look at the wires leading from the batteries and see if there is an in-line fuse or fusible link that may have blown.

* Check for any blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers in the electrical compartment of your Motorhome.

The items I listed above are the most common causes of the problem you are experiencing. If you check everything I have listed and you still cannot solve the problem; it may be time to take your RV in and have a Certified RV Technician repair the problem.

I hope this helps.

Over 1,500,000 successful roadside rescues—Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

Over 1,500,000 successful roadside rescues. Good Sam Roadside Assistance.

Comments for Changed RV's House Batteries Still Have No Power

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Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		No Inverter
by: Anonymous

I had the same issue - confirmed that house batteries were good, battery disconnect switch is in the on position, not plugged in to shore power, generator off - nothing works, no lights. The problem? NO INVERTER!! Now I can only wonder what’s the point of having 2 house batteries!! Plug in to shore power - bingo, all systems work as they should.
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Turning off the rigs converter
by: Terry Neilson

I Have a 1992 Pace Arrow and do a lot of bush camping (no land power). How do I turn off the converter so that I can run an extension from my battery pack in one of the underneath storage bins and 3000W inverter, through the land power cord. Previous RV's had a breaker - this one doesn't. Some could simply be unplugged -not this one. ?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		battery problem
by: Anonymous

well at least on my 05 daybreak if i disconnect the batteries nothing inside works no horn ,radio,lights only when you connect them all this will work and on most rv head lights will turn on when you turn on the engine for safety as far as i know thats how it is supposed to work.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		No house power
by: Anonymous

So I replaced my house battery Coachmann Leprechaun 319DS. Everything has power of I start up the RV. Everything has power when I plug into shore power. But when I go to battery only. Nothing comes on, no lights, not my control pan, nothing. I do hear an occasional click from up front towards the engine compartment. When I run the RV and use my panel and push the battery level button, it shows full battery. I looked at breakers but didn't check any of the blade fuses yet.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		No battery power
by: Fred

I had a problem like that no battery power & mine was the nuts under the hood where all the battery cables connect to the side of the black box were not tight I cleaned and tightened them and worked great
I originally thought my battery was dead but was just the nuts were loose
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Battery disconnect
by: Anonymous

Ok I have found that a orange wire in the battery disconnect switch has no power. I ran a new wire from the switch to the top of the bcc that is connected to a fuse. Now the stereo does not work unless the battery is connected and the headlights come on when the motorhome is started. Anyone have any ideas? The monitor panel works again but the wire I cut must power several different things.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		No House Power
by: Anonymous

I have a 2005 Damon Daybreak and the battery disconnect is located in the left hand side of the interior stairwell as you enter the motorhome. You push it one direction to disconnect and the other way to connect the house battery power.

Note From RVing Al: Thanks for that information. I have a sneaking suspicion that is what is causing their problem.

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