Propane warning beeping

Topic: Propane warning beeping (Read 1779 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #25 – November 23, 2018, 09:51:55 am

Kathie the problem blowing the fuse into your house is the cord from RV to your house is too long or undersize. Posibly after gen starts charging, house charge will take less amps and work.

Another thing to try is make sure all other 110v is off, water heater, micro, refrig, lights and then try RV charger.

If above will not work, try to borrow or buy at Wallmart an approx 10 amp smart charger, this will draw less amps than your RV charger. Also make sure nothing else is running on your in house 110 circuit, lights, etc.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #26 – November 23, 2018, 09:56:42 am

By the way, Kathy is about 140-170 miles away from me.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #27 – November 23, 2018, 02:39:28 pm

Success... I've got the generator started right away after disconnecting the battery charger. Can't turn on the propane alarm... it still beeps but I checked the tank and sniffed the area myself and do not smell any leaks. I made sure I turned on the boost since someone mentioned that is how you charge the house battery? I do know now that the generator does use the starter battery since it was charged 100%. Still not getting the gauge by the door to pop up in the green (I am assuming that the house battery needs to be charged). Will run the generator for about 2 hrs and check again (in 30 mins) then check again. Thanks again ... baby steps.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #28 – November 23, 2018, 02:41:28 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – November 23, 2018, 09:56:42 am

By the way, Kathy is about 140-170 miles away from me.

Oh I have appreciated all the help over email... no problem. Nothing anyone can do differently. Once I attempt and get it done the only way I can do it in the future... Thanks for everything. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #29 – November 23, 2018, 02:48:14 pm

From the factory:

Alternator on the engine (Caterpillar) charges both House and Chassis batteries.

Battery charger charges ONLY house bank.

No idea if yours has been modified from that arrangement.

Boost switch, in effect, makes the two banks into ONE, so the easy way to charge CHASSIS BATTERIES, as, with the generator or shore power, the built-in charger charges the house batteries.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #30 – November 23, 2018, 03:41:11 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – November 23, 2018, 02:48:14 pm

From the factory:

Alternator on the engine (Caterpillar) charges both House and Chassis batteries.

Battery charger charges ONLY house bank.

No idea if yours has been modified from that arrangement.

Boost switch, in effect, makes the two banks into ONE, so the easy way to charge CHASSIS BATTERIES, as, with the generator or shore power, the built-in charger charges the house batteries.

The "powerwatch" gauge inside the door, is not popping up to the green area. I've tried to attach the photo through "dropbox" but hasn't attached (just to show you what I'm talking about). I have the Boost on/Generator and it's been about 2 hrs now Turned my monitor on and it shows only 12.5 flickering up and down from this. I have a little over 1/2 propane tank so no danger of running out. How long would you say I should run it?

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #31 – November 23, 2018, 03:43:48 pm

Are you sure the Powerwatch is a 12 VDC/battery monitor not a 120 VAC monitor?

Call if you want to talk through this-- PM'ed my number.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #32 – November 23, 2018, 04:03:21 pm

Photo below of the PowerWatch panel. It only indicates the presence of 120V AC power, like when you are plugged in to shore power, or when you run your generator. You may have another panel in your coach that indicates 12V DC power status - I don't know about that.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #33 – November 23, 2018, 04:07:05 pm

Kathy, the Powerwatch on our 1989 coach is for monitoring the 120V and pos/neg polarity hookup of the 120V connection. You should get a green light if hooked up to 120V correctly, altho your bulbs may be burned out like ours were. I replaced both bulbs and now things light up as per designed.
Yup, Chuck is more right than me..I forgot the gen is also monitored here.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #34 – November 23, 2018, 04:20:30 pm

Quote from: Ktytravel – November 23, 2018, 03:41:11 pm

How long would you say I should run it?

You don't need to worry about running your generator. It is actually good to exercise it. The generators in Foretravel coaches are designed to run for many hours - even for days at a time, without any problem. Just need to check the oil level (with engine OFF) once in a while.

The "monitor" you turned on is, I assume, the little CRT screen in the dash. The voltage it displays should be from the "coach" (house) battery, if it is wired the same as ours. At 12.5 volts, your coach battery still needs more time on the charger, so I would let the generator run at least until you quit for the day, or until you get the big engine started (if you are going to attempt that today).

When both batteries are fully charged (boost switch ON), with the generator running, you should see over 13 volts displayed on the CRT screen.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #35 – November 23, 2018, 05:13:54 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – November 23, 2018, 04:03:21 pm

Photo below of the PowerWatch panel. It only indicates the presence of 120V AC power, like when you are plugged in to shore power, or when you run your generator. You may have another panel in your coach that indicates 12V DC power status - I don't know about that.

Yes the one on the right... When I started my generator the last time, the dial popped up to the right into the green, now after running about 3 hrs (generator) the hand/arrow is not moving. it is the 120V ac power. I did try to start the engine and I don't get any clicking or any sound at all but the gauges on the dash do move... could it be the ignition switch? Maybe reading too much but ran across this article: Replacing Foretravel Ignition Switch. I'm going to run out to see if anything as changed but it's been about 5 degrees warmer outside so I don't think it's the cold weather and without any cranking/clicking when turning the key... hmmmm...

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #36 – November 23, 2018, 05:15:01 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – November 23, 2018, 03:43:48 pm

Are you sure the Powerwatch is a 12 VDC/battery monitor not a 120 VAC monitor?

Call if you want to talk through this-- PM'ed my number.

I will certainly do that...

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #37 – November 23, 2018, 05:38:54 pm

A number of possibilities: but YES, the 'Powerwatch' is only power from shore/gen-set. We have a dash battery gauge, but the PO installed a unit I like much better, it's called 'Truecharge' Xantrex | Power Inverter, Inverter Charger, Battery Charger Manufacturer We also have one of these after almost frying the coach with a bad RV park pedestal: Rv Surge Protection | United States | Progressive Industries, Inc. Good luck, let us know what you find!

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #38 – November 23, 2018, 07:14:30 pm

Kathie,

Best bet is to give Brett a call. Your "no-start" situation can get a little involved, so direct conversation with a pro would be worthwhile.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #39 – November 23, 2018, 07:47:17 pm

No cranking or clicking, been there done that, while working on coach I accidentally bumped the gear shift lever, it has to be in nuetral before it will click or crank.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #40 – November 24, 2018, 04:37:53 pm

Quote from: Old phart phred – November 23, 2018, 07:47:17 pm

No cranking or clicking, been there done that, while working on coach I accidentally bumped the gear shift lever, it has to be in neutral before it will click or crank.

Yes I've done that myself parked at Walmart on the way home. Will check again after my 2nd battery completely charges. Like Brett stated, can't troubleshoot without a fully charged battery bank. I did have the "start" battery fully charged but today I'm charging the house battery. It's at 80% right now and will check the other one right before I start again. It seems that the power relay (under the bed above the engine) is not allowing the generator to relay power to the 110... and not charging the batteries. I ran through all the breakers with Brett but useless to speculate if I don't have both batteries charged up. Spending my day reading and reviewing the wiring diagrams and running errands to pick up tools/things needed. Thanks everyone ... will see what's what when all is charged.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #41 – November 24, 2018, 04:44:45 pm

Kathie, when the gen set is on. do you show anything on the PowerWatch? You should see 120v with no draw. Also, this is what you should be seeing on the dash with either the gen or shore power after the batteries have gotten down there and are charging.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #42 – November 24, 2018, 05:27:19 pm

Gonna be ugly Mike...better dump soon !

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #43 – November 24, 2018, 05:48:44 pm

Quote from: Hans&Marjet – November 24, 2018, 05:27:19 pm

Gonna be ugly Mike...better dump soon !

Ha! It's not the crap, but the crappy sensors. I don't even look at those monitors anymore. In fact, I don't look at my back up camera either. Never had one before: DW is my guide!

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #44 – November 24, 2018, 06:21:41 pm

Spent some time yesterday afternoon on the phone with Kathie. She is going to fully charge both battery banks before trying to troubleshoot the no-start condition. And also buy an inexpensive digital voltmeter.

But, to troubleshoot the 120 VAC, starting at the ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch), I suggested someone safe working around 120 VAC.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #45 – November 24, 2018, 07:54:29 pm

Quote from: mike leary – November 24, 2018, 04:44:45 pm

Kathie, when the gen set is on. do you show anything on the PowerWatch? You should see 120v with no draw. Also, this is what you should be seeing on the dash with either the gen or shore power after the batteries have gotten down there and are charging.

Well I got the engine to start with one turn. Yes i got the huge house battery fully charged along with the start battery. I did check that it was fully in Neutral even though I did before but better to try again. It was in neutral but I did push the button in and out (perhaps that little jolt did it?)

but happy here that the engine started I did run it for about 30 minutes. Sorry didn't check the readout (should have) but did start the generator again and the powerwatch still will not kick up to where it should be. So the ATS will need a good look at. I used to hear that little "kick" sound before like Brett mentioned to me but do not now. For now... I am happy to get the engine going so I can get it moved to my storage spot. The problem is going to be charging my batteries while it's stored. We will be getting snow and ice soon so exercising the engine/ driving it around will become a problem... snow and ice does not mix with the Foretravel. If it is just cold I will get it out and about for sure... All of you are great and a big thanks to Brett. I have learned so much and I know it is only a little speck of what I will need. I'm at least moving again

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #46 – November 24, 2018, 08:34:49 pm

You're already kind of amazing. That's a unique coach and has a lot of enjoyment left in it. So proud of you (and Brett) for getting it going.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #47 – November 25, 2018, 04:50:50 am

Good job Kathie. My Powerwatch never went to 120v either, although I have 120v to all plugs. I tried to adjust and it would not. I finally removed it.

Re: Propane warning beeping

Reply #48 – November 25, 2018, 09:31:42 am

As we discussed, have someone familiar with RV electricals check your generator/ATS/converter. You will need to either remove the batteries and keep them at home to charge or be able to run the generator (with everything working properly) to keep them charged.

Be sure to at the anti-gel before driving so it will mix. And importantly for storage, get a BIOCIDE such as Biobor JF and add that to the fuel tank and then fill the tank with diesel before storing. This will minimize condensation and prevent algae growth.

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