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Topic: No shore power (Read 1200 times) previous topic - next topic

No shore power

Can anyone help?

We just picked up the coach and everything was working fine. All lights on, fridge working, and closed the slides with no issue.

I arrived at resort, plugged in 50 amp. Tried to open the slides and it didn't have enough power to open - only opened about 2 inches and then stopped. After that, all coach lights went out, inverter not working, generator not starting, but engine starts right up but doesn't power anything.

We checked the panel under the bed, one switch was tripped and we reset that - didn't change anything.

This is for a 2007 Nimbus.

New owners so looking for troubleshooting help - thank you in advance.

Re: No shore power

Reply #1 –
Check your batter voltage. The shore,power will go into the inverter and charge the batteries. It sounds like the batteries died but they should have been charged by the alternator  while you were driving. In my coach I would have to run the engine to put out the slides as the key had to be on. I know different years had that removed.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: No shore power

Reply #2 –
.? Salesman switch?
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: No shore power

Reply #3 –
The slides operate on 12V, not shore power.  Since the slides did start to open, you had some charge but not enough.  Combined with the other symptoms, it sounds like the house batteries are low on charge.

Once you plugged in, your inverter/charger should start charging the batteries.  Which model inverter do you have?  Once we know that, folks can walk you through how to make sure it is working and charging the batteries properly.  Sometimes (depends on inverter), there is a breaker or reset physically on the inverter that needs to be reset.

Do you see any sign that there is shore power to anything?  Lights on the microwave?  Do any outlets have power?  If not, do you have a multimeter to check to see if you actually have incoming shore power?
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: No shore power

Reply #4 –
Couple of points:

Since this happened after driving, IF house battery voltage is low, either the house batteries are bad or your alternator, through the battery isolator is not charging them.

If battery voltage is too low, the inverter charger will NOT charge them (a safety measure).  So you may need to start their charging from an external source-- "dumb" charger, toad battery with engine running using jumper cables, etc.

Please start by telling us what your digital voltmeter says as measured at the house batteries and that connections on the batteries are clean and tight.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: No shore power

Reply #5 –
I had a similar problem on my 2007 Nimbus and it turned out to be the battery isolator was not charging the batteries. You may also want to check the Xantrex inverter controller inside your coach next to the fridge and make sure that you have the charger "enabled" and all another settings are set appropriately.

Also, you could turn on the "boost" switch and see if that temporarily solves the issue of extending or retracting your slides. The HWH requires lots of amps to operate the hydraulic pump and the other components. Lastly, check the age of the house batteries.

Re: No shore power

Reply #6 –
Thanks everyone - I'm working on charging the house battery and will let you know how that goes. Hopefully this will be enough to get the slides closed and back on the road.

Re: No shore power

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Paulie –
Thanks everyone - I'm working on charging the house battery and will let you know how that goes. Hopefully this will be enough to get the slides closed and back on the road.

BUT, I would suggest you verify that your charging system is working before hitting the road or at least have a "plan B" so you do not end up on the side of the road.

Again, with voltage readings from both batteries with shore power on/off and engine on/off (shore power disconnected) we can guide you.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: No shore power

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Paulie –
Thanks everyone - I'm working on charging the house battery and will let you know how that goes. Hopefully this will be enough to get the slides closed and back on the road.

Sounds like a plan.  You might try running the generator as you try to move the slides in and out, as should raise the voltage too.
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: No shore power

Reply #9 –
That happened to me two weeks ago in our 2013 IH-45. Funny thing was after checking everything from inverters to fuses, the 50amp plug at the end of cord was loose. This has happened to me twice over the past several months. The wires come out of the lugs in the plug.
Rodney Nielsen
2017 IH-45
Toad: G-Wagen G63 or EQS 580 (on trailer)

Re: No shore power

Reply #10 –
You might want to replace the plug. The loose connections cause the terminals to get hot. Some time once they have been hot they won't stay tight.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: No shore power

Reply #11 –
4 years ago, the round pin broke on our (original factory installed shore power cord) plug.  It was still held in place by the molded plastic material so it was not evident on casual inspection.  I noticed it looked kinda like it was bent at an odd angle.  When I tried to straighten it with my fingers it pulled right out in my hand.  I replaced it with a Camco.  Has held up just fine ever since.

Camco 55255 Heavy Duty RV 50 AMP Male Plug Replacement with Power Grip...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: No shore power

Reply #12 –
Chuck I had the same issue with my FT.  The Progressive wouldn't allow power into the coach and gave me an open neutral error.  Replaced the plug and got the same error.  Checked the breaker panel where I store it and the neutral wire had burnt through!  Fixed that and no problems since.  I can only guess when the plug went bad it caused the neutral to burn at the breaker box.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell