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Topic: GV electrical/propane problems (Read 641 times) previous topic - next topic

GV electrical/propane problems

Hi,

Lights just went off on the 20A circuit for bedroom lights and hallway lights, waterpump, and we also lost propane to the stove.  I'm guessing their is a safety system somewhere that shuts off the propane?  Unable to find anything in the manual.

Thought it was simply a flipped breaker, but resetting it does nothing.  All the other breakers are ok, all other outlets, air, etc ok.

When I flip the breaker on this 20A circuit, the Powerwatch meter goes to zero from its' normal 120 V reading.  On 50A shoreline hookup currently.

Do breakers go bad?  I can't find anything else wrong except this one single circuit and no propane to stove or fridge.  We were cooking lunch when this happened so that is how we noticed no propane.

Any help appreciated as we are a long ways from home yet :)
Dan 1989 U280 40'

Re: GV electrical/propane problems

Reply #1 –
Did you check GFI in bathroom?
95 U320 SE
07 GMC CANYON

Re: GV electrical/propane problems

Reply #2 –
Guys, I think I solved my own question.  Found the main disconnect by the entrance doorsteps was moved as my wife was vacuuming there at the time.

I would still like to know about the propane-is there an emergency shuttoff the kills the propane if no electricity?
Dan 1989 U280 40'

Re: GV electrical/propane problems

Reply #3 –
Also, what is it about the electrical system that would allow all the other breakers to work fine except for this one circuit if the main disconnect was flipped?  I thought this disconnect by the door was only for the 12V system? 

Still learning by trial and mostly error!
Dan 1989 U280 40'

Re: GV electrical/propane problems

Reply #4 –
Gas detector near floor is connected to valve on propane tank. This can be disabled by removing internal part from solenoid valve on tank I did this on mine and many others have also as the detector we had was no longer available with the relay to operate the valve .
95 U320 SE
07 GMC CANYON

Re: GV electrical/propane problems

Reply #5 –
Chuck has it right about the GFI in the bath. Hard to see as the normal GFI red and white buttons are brown and blend it. I looked for hours without finding the problem until I started using a signal tracer the next day. Face was red after finding the GFI.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: GV electrical/propane problems

Reply #6 –
You might be confused by the fact that there is 12 volt panel with breakers.  It is controlled by the floor switch that got bumped off, and is the 12v main disconnect.  It has nothing to do with 120v system or the breakers in the other circuit panel. 

There is also a 120 volt panel with breakers, and that controls the AC's, battery charger, outlets, microwave and maybe a hot water heater.  That comes from the 50 amp shore plug.

Your flipping the 20 amp was turning on and off the battery charger getting power from the 120v breakers side of the coach, and should have nothing to do with lights, water or propane flow. The suggestion of GFI would have nothing to do with 12v pumps, lights, or propane.  The GFI are on the 120v supply system to the outlets.

You have sort of combined your outages from both 12v and 120v in your issues.  But there are maybe no 120v. lights in your coach, we had none in our 93, or our 98 now.

Your propane switch does need 12v to open for gas supply to the coach.  Some detectors have dual supply from both the engine and coach batteries.  Those detectors age out, and need to be replaced someday.

You should be able to hear the solenoid at the tank open when the detector is tested off/on by someone inside.  In the future when your detector does fail to open the solenoid, you can learn how to remove the plunger and let the gas keep flowing.  Older coaches have the electric shut offs, newer coaches built to the newer RV code no longer have the shut offs
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: GV electrical/propane problems

Reply #7 –
Hi Dave,

I was thinking the same as you outlined- I did see the 12V panel and the 120V panel so no confusion there.  The propane I'm clear on.

So what happened is that my 20A circuit was fine the entire time, the lights on that circuit are all 12V and supplied from the house batteries, which are in turn charged from the 120V system.  Correct?

Sorry to be so slow, but took me a bit to work thru this.  Still learning.  All this transpired over about 10 minutes and kinda threw me wondering how I'd get through the next 4 days going home with no propane.

Thanks to all !
Dan 1989 U280 40'

Re: GV electrical/propane problems

Reply #8 –
Quote from: WC7610 –
Hi Dave,

I was thinking the same as you outlined- I did see the 12V panel and the 120V panel so no confusion there.  The propane I'm clear on.

So what happened is that my 20A circuit was fine the entire time, the lights on that circuit are all 12V and supplied from the house batteries, which are in turn charged from the 120V system.  Correct?

Sorry to be so slow, but took me a bit to work thru this.  Still learning.  All this transpired over about 10 minutes and kinda threw me wondering how I'd get through the next 4 days going home with no propane.

Thanks to all !

Correct, and you noticed the circuit showed the power from the charger.

Glad to be able to help.  Last month we arrived back at our coach after a week away.  It had been repaired and test driven.  We entered and found no 12v, tried the master switch, which on our coach powers a relay.  We got nothing.  I could not find the problem.  We discovered the only light in the coach was a 120v light on the mircowave.  We had no water pump, or lights for the night.  The next day in the wiring schematic I found the master battery relay and finally a tripped resettable hidden breaker, in a bay, behind a cover.  Was wondering too how to enjoy our weekend and drive home.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: GV electrical/propane problems

Reply #9 –
Dan, you asked the question: "Do breakers go bad?" The answer is yes. I had the engine block heater go bad in our '89. It cost me a whole $5.60 (tax included) to replace. What went bad in it I don't know. Only knew that when I tripped the switch nothing happened. Replaced the breaker and then the switch worked fine. The breaker itself felt very loose and sloppy when I did a manual trip and reset compared to the other breakers on the panel.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD
 

Re: GV electrical/propane problems

Reply #10 –
Circuit breakers get weak with both number of disconnects and age.  I'd replace any over 20 years old.  Just me.  And if one is to be used as a switch, make sure that it is spec'ed for that function in addition to its breaker use.
1994 U225
build #4514