Charging house batteries

Odss91b · May 02, 2014, 08:16 PM

Before I ask my question, I would like to thank y'all for your insights. Last week I tried hooking up my generator to the MH to make along story short, I discovered that the one I thought was the ground was actually the hot wire after a lot of arcing. Today I go out to the Winnie and check my house batteries on the dash voltmeter. They read no charge. When I pushed the main/aux battery switch I would typically hear a thunk and the green light would light up, to day nothing. Used my voltmeter at the coach battery read 13 volts went to the house batteries and checked each battery and didn't get any reading. Before I started messing withe the generator when I had the MH plugged in to shore power (which it was) it would show charging the aux batteries on the dash. But it doesn't now. What do I need to look at next.

Stripe · May 03, 2014, 01:13 AM

Quote from: Odss91b on May 02, 2014, 08:16 PM
What do I need to look at next.

i

Best guess, your bank balance...

All kidding aside, check ALL your fuses and breakers. Including the ones with GFCI. Push the test button then the reset just to be sure as well. From there trace back to the batteries and pay special attention to your solenoid. I dunno how to test the solenoid but I bet someone else here does. Otherwise you could google it..

Oz · May 03, 2014, 01:28 AM

We do have an excellent set of testing articles in the "Mechanics 101" section of the Member Area. Battery testing, charging system,.. and over a dozen more.

DaveVA78Chieftain · May 03, 2014, 08:25 AM

Something tells me this may depend on what you mean by:

QuoteI discovered that the one I thought was the ground was actually the hot wire after a lot of arcing.

Could be simply something was left ON and ran the battery down or something was toasted as part of the arcing and sparking.

Dave

Odss91b · May 03, 2014, 09:19 AM

Dave that is what I am afraid of. It was a black wire so I assumed it was a ground but when I went to attach it to the frame of the genny it arced a lot, but then it quit and and I was able to attach it to the frame. Just for peace of mind a friend and I tested it with a volt meter a couple of days later and discovered that indeed it was the hot wire.

Odss91b · May 11, 2014, 12:18 AM

Ok found the inverter I think... It is a trip lite powerverter. Checked the power lines coming into it and no power. Where is the converter to test it?

DaveVA78Chieftain · May 11, 2014, 08:06 AM

1990 is the fist year Winnebago posts wiring information (http://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram/Wiring.htm). In 1990, the converter was mounted in the table just forward of the step well.

Dave

pvoth1111 · May 11, 2014, 11:45 AM

In my 1990 the converter is under the passenger chair in its own little cubby....had to change it yesterday.....gonna try to get it replaced on warranty......

Odss91b · May 11, 2014, 03:50 PM

It is under the passenger seat. I found it today. There was no power at the terminals. But it was humming while it is connected shore power. It has no power at the inverter. And no dc power in the coach. The fridge won't turn on. And the power passenger seat won't work.

But the 110 outlets have power while plugged into shore power.

Stripe · May 11, 2014, 07:44 PM

Good to see you found it.
The humming means it's getting power from shore line which is of course a good sign. As to no DC in the coach, I know this is redundant but, have you checked your fuses?

Also, do all the outlets have power? I know on the 'Goose' only a few select outlets are powered by inverter while the rest are powered by the generator/Shore power.

DaveVA78Chieftain · May 11, 2014, 09:46 PM

Assuming a 1990 wiring diagram is similar, the yellow wire on the converter is the 12vDC output. It feeds a 40 amp fuse and then goes to the Battery Disconnect switch. If you do not have 12VDC (13.6VDC) on the yellow wire at the converter then it is dead.

Dave

M & J · May 11, 2014, 11:05 PM

Dr. McCoy's most famous 3 words. "He's dead Jim".
Typically said about a red tunic'd ensign on an away party.

Odss91b · May 11, 2014, 11:11 PM

I didn't find any fuses in the compartment and ill have to go look at the color of the wires in the compartment. And I believe all the 110 outlets are working on shore power.

pvoth1111 · May 13, 2014, 09:40 PM

just buy a new one....55 watt....min....and enjoy.....250 or less if shop the internet.....full timing I had to pay up cause I needed it right away

DaveVA78Chieftain · May 16, 2014, 06:15 PM

Now that I can take the time look a lttle closer at the 1990 info, that is a 40 amp CB, not a fuse. The panel would be located under the front hood. Go around to the front of the rig and open the engine access hood. If 1989 is the same as 1990 then there will be a another 12VDC power panel directly in front of the steering wheel. 1990 has a 40 amp CB labeled REAR PNL / CONV.

I am using this set of drawings for reference:
1990 Winnebago Chieftain / Itasca Sunflyer N33RQ Wiring Diagram Book

Dave

Odss91b · May 20, 2014, 09:13 PM

Dave you are truly a wizard and a wealth of info. If you have a 1989 Winnie chieftain the box on the right side of your engine compartment is a fuse box. The the 40 amp cb for the converter was popped. Pushed it in and the converter started working again. Dave a few days before you posted that I saw the box and thought I should check what is in the box. Sure enough your post was spot on! Thanks so much!

Seann

DaveVA78Chieftain · May 20, 2014, 09:21 PM

Glad I could help. We were lucky the 1990 diagram is close to yours. Just a matter of being able to read wiring diagrams.

Dave