Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Electrical Issue (Read 747 times) previous topic - next topic

Electrical Issue

This afternoon power went out to bath and bedroom. From what I can tell with minimal troubleshooting is:

1.  12v fuses in panel all seem good
2.  No breakers blown
3.  GFI seems ok and has 120v
4.  Shore power good on both legs and both AC's working ok

Going to pick up GFI when we're out to dinner and resume troubleshooting when we get back.

Ideas?
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #1 –
What went out? 12V or 120? On my coach the gfi controls that plug and ones FORWARD of it on the same side. If it's 12V, it ain't the gfi.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #2 –
One more fact...probably not related. I pushed a bunch of chicken wire up the air channels on the rear sides of the coach to reinforce our critter roadblocks. Back up light wiring is there but I don't think I disturbed it.
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #3 –
I only had a few minutes before we went to dinner. Overhead lights are out in bath and bedroom. I assume those are 12v. But I did check all 12v fuses and all 120 breakers. Only outlet I checked was GFI and it has 120.
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #4 –
Quote from: floridarandy –
One more fact...probably not related. I pushed a bunch of chicken wire up the air channels on the rear sides of the coach to reinforce our critter roadblocks. Back up light wiring is there but I don't think I disturbed it.
Taillights run through the start battery so can't be that.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #5 –
Then a 12V fuse is not making good contact. Wiggle them and see if the lights light up. Forget about 120.

Edit: After dinner.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #6 –
All of those outlets described  come off the GFI Outlet in the bathroom.  The CFI outlets go bad.  The circuit breakers In the panels FT used also have a limited life time.  They are a less common type and may be hard to find.  Good idea to carry a spare.  I have replace the GFI and two circuit breakers.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
All of those outlets described  come off the GFI Outlet in the bathroom.  The CFI outlets go bad.  The circuit breakers In the panels FT used also have a limited life time.  They are a less common type and may be hard to find.  Good idea to carry a spare.  I have replace the GFI and two circuit breakers.
This is a good idea but has nothing to do with 12V lights going out. I eliminated the GFI.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #8 –
SOLVED

After dinner I found that there was no 12v anywhere in the coach, including no 12v at the fuse panel.  All 120v was working so it must have been restricted to 12v. Both house and coach batteries were showing fully charged.

I used my "phone a friend" option to call an experienced Foretraveler, Susan Green, and after explaining my problem he said.....is your salesman's swiqtch on?  I knew that couldn't be it...we'd been on shore power for days and Karen had said the lights went off as she got out of the shower.

But....that WAS it.  Switch on...12v on.  Problem solved....with the SIMPLE and EASY solution. Still don't know how that switch got turned off but it will be my go to first solution to try in the future.

I did buy a replacement GFI so when/if that gremlin strikes I'll have that solution in hand too.
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #9 –
I pushed mine through the floor . You turn it off from the box. 

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #10 –
Randy, you are far from the first to experience this.  Many a call from new owners with the same issue.  After 47 years selling rvs, my first year out, I had the same issue as you.  Immediately I thought of all the obvious failures that could cause this, not till I went thru testing all the fuses and bus bars did I say to myself, ok, what could this be caused by in the way of a non failure.  I had to re-create the previous phone calls in my mind from the new owners, makes me laugh now.

A second, common, no failure.  "My rv will not start".  "Is it in neutral?"  "Of course, oops".

Another snafu, "rear engine start switch in rear start position?" 

Another, "do you have a battery disconnect at the battery?"

Another, later electronic engine rv, "Did you just buy fuel, is the fuel cap on, and on properly?"

Transmission problem, "did you block your tires, oops?"

"There is water coming out of the shower drain", or "it will not drain"?

We all so need this forum, glad your fix came without  dollars attached.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #11 –
That pesky Salesman Switch, recently bit me too -----
Exercising the generator, could not get the A/Cs to come on, followed by much noodling and checking 120VAC.
Before remembering the thermostat runs off of 12VDC.
Flip the Salesman Switch and yup, the A/Cs fired right up.
Live & Learn.
Safe Travels to all.
Charles
W5CRY
1997 Dynasty - Sold

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #12 –
For anyone to maximize the help on this forum it is imperative to be precise as to the problem. I have no power in the bathroom and bedroom is different than I have no 12V lights in the bathroom and bedroom which is altogether different than I have no 12V power in my motorhome.  Glad it is solved and you're ready to roll.

That's a GREAT lesson CRY42.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #13 –
Randy, Susan thanks you for the shout out.  We had the same thing happen to us, a bunch of folks with volt meters found nothing and then she asked if we checked the salesman switch.  A pants cuff or something snagged it.  She reminds me often of that basic troubleshooting foundation, "start at the source, check the simple things first".  Good advice.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #14 –
A friend  has a SOB coach  His salesman switch look just like a light switch and is right next to other switches by the door  He says that it gets presses all the time 

My newer coach has it in the same switch panel as lights and the door and cabinet locks by the door  It is also very easy to push accidentally 
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Electrical Issue

Reply #15 –
Reply to #9
Foretravel used steel mounting boxes tor the GFCI receptacle in the bathroom in our and possibly 99 U270,
Since the coach vibrates when driving the wiring has the potential to come close enough to the steel box to randomly trip the GFCI without tripping a breaker, recommended putting a few winds of insulation around the sides of the replacement GFCI receptacle so the stripped wires cannot come in contact with the walls of the steel box.
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!