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50 amp service and trouble with lights
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Harry, when any of us have to chase electrical issues we cannot do without a good multi-tester. While checking the condition of batteries by starting the generator or turning on a light is certainly a fast, simple test there is no substitute for actually being able to measure voltage.
I do not know if you have a 12 or 24 volt coach, but we have had owners able to spin the coach engine because the 24 volt side of the chassis electrical system was fully charged, but the DDEC that requires 12 volts wouldn’t work because the 12 volt side of the system was dead. I am not saying you have a similar issue, but chasing your problem is likely going to require a tester at some point.
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I just wanted you all ot know that I moved to another site toay and the problem is solved. It was the 50 amp service, not a problem with my bus… Wow was I a happy boy! I want to thank you all again for your help, I’ll remember what you told me if I ever have such a problem again. I’m also buying a Progressive meter I can plug into service and know in advance what I have.
Harry
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Harry,
Doesn’t your coach have meters or some means of determining your various electrical systems, from a way of measuring input voltages and loads on shore or generator power to voltages of the DC circuits?
Any time you switch sources, whether it is shore or generator power or even going to battery power it is a good practice to verify power.
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Hi Jon, No my coach doesn’t have electrical meters that provide this information. But I plan on buying one from progressive so I’ll Know from now on.
Harry
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Harry,
I have never seen a coach that did not have some means of displaying voltages or loads on all various circuits.
The displays are not consistent, in that I haven’t yet seen one with all of the displays located in one place, but every one has had some way to know voltage was there and what the current draw on the circuit was.
You might have to become a sleuth to find how to read everything from your battery voltages to your incoming power, but I bet it is there somewhere.
Maybe Beaver owners can chime in and suggest where those displays and readings would be. You cannot manage power unless you have a display.
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Harry. We’re glad your electrical issue was so simple. I don’t remember if you said your Beaver Command Center works. I believe you said, but correct me, your Command Center only works with ignition key on/engine running. Sorry I didn’t think of it until now, if your CCommand Center is operable, you can check your shorepower values before you shut engine down.
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Hi Jon and Jim,
I do have a display above the dash giving information about the bus. Unfortunately it doesn’t work. You can see in the picture below where it says On/Off it’s worn out from use. It use to be I could fiddle with it and it would come on but no longer. Someone made the recommendation to try the eraser end of a pencil but no joy. I hope to one day find a way to permanently fix the display problem.
Harry
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That is what I am talking about. You have every piece of information you need to check on the status of your electrical systems.
Leave it on all the time. You can verify anything you want with a glance at that display.
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Agreed Jon, my problem is I can’t get it back on. I’ve tried everything I know to try but it will not come back on. As I said earlier I used to be able to get it working but not anymore. The On/Off switch will no longer function.
If I do get it back on, as soon as the power is switched off the display goes off with it then I’m back to where I started. I’ve got to find a way to get it on and as you said… Keep it on!
Harry
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Then until you get it fixed (which to me is vital) you have to find another way to monitor your electrical systems. A healthy electrical system will prevent fires, keep batteries in good condition, and protect important and expensive devices. Here’s free advice worth every cent you are paying for it.
Not only get the on-off switch fixed, but have the display set up so the only time it goes off is if the coach is turned off and you are not on shore or generator power.
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Same shape here Harry. Had an old Inverter changed out to Magnum (years ago) and all I have is Magnum gauge showing inverter and charger status inside. Folks that put it in said panel was dead. Worked before. Have a volt meter outside in shore power plug in bay next to gen set. Trying to find somebody to fix ac side with gauges and draw.
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Hi Glen, I’m at a loss what to do with the info center above the drivers station? With the Progressive Industries meter I’m good with tower power. My hope is I can find another Beaver Coach owner with a similar info center with some ideas.
Harry
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I seriously doubt the fix is going to be complicated or expensive. If the entire display is dead it likely means the voltages and current draws that are usually displayed have those values interrupted. It could be as simple as an on-off switch that needs to be replaced or maybe even a relay that has to close when the ignition is turned on needs to be replaced.
It is highly unlikely every single display has gone bad so someone with some electrical skills could probably identify the problem and fix it.
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Hi Jon, I’m almost certain the display still works as shown above. I believe it’s the On/Off push switch that’s the problem. Where would you recommend I go to have it fixed?
Harry
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Temporary fix Harry.
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