Lost all 12 volt power.

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Lost all 12 volt power.

February 07, 2021, 11:16:39 am

As of a few minutes ago. We lost every 12 volt system on the coach. The house batteries are at 12.8 volts. All the 12 volt fuses are fine. The freedom 25 inverter/charger is charging. No smell at all of burnt wire. When I turned the engine key to on. The dash lit up as normal and air alarms and the relay clicking from front to back were as normal. But no HWH power. I didn't try to turn over the starter (yet)

We have 50Amp 240V into the coach. And all the 120V systems are operating. One thing I do notice is that even though we have ac from the city. The light for the electric element for the Aqua Hot will not illuminate. I would suspect that with no 12V to the Aqua Hot and it's brain box that the element will be non-operational.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #1 – February 07, 2021, 11:26:33 am

"Salesman Switch" near entrance door ON?

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #2 – February 07, 2021, 11:36:43 am

And, If the "slesman's switch" is on try doing what I do under mystifying circumstances like yours.
I do the "thump and/or wiggle" test. I go around and thump everything electrical. If that doesn't turn things back on then I wiggle every electrical wire at or near the termination or connection point.
If all those steps fail, I call an electrician.

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #3 – February 07, 2021, 11:44:59 am

I would try disconnecting from 50amp service to isolate power from only the house batteries.

Where did you se that you have 12.8v? On the inverter remote panel?

I have a battery monitor that connects right at the battery so it would still report battery voltage even if the class-T fuse was blown between the battery and the inverter and other 12v connections. On our coach this class-T fuse is on the wall in one of the storage bays.

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #4 – February 07, 2021, 11:49:29 am

DANG!!! That was it. Thanks for that reminder Brett. Geez! Do I feel like a dolt.

I only mess with that switch when I put the coach in storage. I must have accidentally hit it with my foot when I bent down in the step well looking under the co-pilots seat for the cats ball. SO, It's the cats fault. :-) :-)

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #5 – February 07, 2021, 11:50:38 am

Did you check the salesman switch?

Pierce

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #6 – February 07, 2021, 11:53:30 am

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – February 07, 2021, 11:50:38 am

Did you check the salesman switch?

Pierce

Yep, Right after Brett reminded me. And it were off.

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #7 – February 07, 2021, 01:56:14 pm

Quote from: bigdog – February 07, 2021, 11:49:29 am

DANG!!! That was it. Thanks for that reminder Brett. Geez! Do I feel like a dolt.

I only mess with that switch when I put the coach in storage. I must have accidentally hit it with my foot when I bent down in the step well looking under the co-pilots seat for the cats ball. SO, It's the cats fault. :-) :-)

You aren't the first to bump it (or have a pet do so) and not realize it

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #8 – February 07, 2021, 02:15:50 pm

Quote from: bigdog – February 07, 2021, 11:49:29 am

DANG!!! That was it. Thanks for that reminder Brett. Geez! Do I feel like a dolt.

I only mess with that switch when I put the coach in storage. I must have accidentally hit it with my foot when I bent down in the step well looking under the co-pilots seat for the cats ball. SO, It's the cats fault. :-) :-)

Those cats are sneaky mischievous pets!

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #9 – February 07, 2021, 08:13:37 pm

We have a small movable metal bracket that prevents salesman switch from rotating from on position.

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #10 – February 07, 2021, 08:21:22 pm

Sure is relieving when that's the problem.

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #11 – February 07, 2021, 09:36:28 pm

Quote from: Michelle – February 07, 2021, 01:56:14 pm

You aren't the first to bump it (or have a pet do so) and not realize it

I'm actually surprised that it took 5 years to happen for the first time. So I guess I was due.

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #12 – February 08, 2021, 10:23:18 am

It took me 10 years and then about an hour to figure it out.

Pierce

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #13 – February 08, 2021, 10:41:37 am

Here is what I did so our Salesman's switch didn't get tripped accidentally by us or our curious great grandkids.
I don't have a picture of the little PVC end cap that you can buy that covers the PVC end opening. Fits in nicely and looks good, altho one could paint the PVC whatever color they want.
The PVC pipe is glued to the floor with: WHAT ELSE but SHOE GOO!!

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #14 – February 08, 2021, 11:03:05 am

How about drilling a 1/4" hole toward the end of the handle, installing a 1/16" screw eye/loop over by the "off" position and then running a tie wrap to secure it in the on position?

Pierce

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #15 – February 08, 2021, 11:24:24 am

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – February 08, 2021, 11:03:05 am

How about drilling a 1/4" hole toward the end of the handle, installing a 1/16" screw eye/loop over by the "off" position and then running a tie wrap to secure it in the on position?

There are times you might want to quickly shut off the 12V - say a safety problem. Yes, very rare, but... Wouldn't a tie wrap cause delay while you tried to find something to cut it with?

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #16 – February 08, 2021, 12:23:21 pm

Yes, the quarter inch tie wraps are very strong but you can buy 3mm tie wraps with a max strength of 18 lbs. Enough to keep from kicking the switch but a finger can break one. https://lecoplastics.com/tie-wraps.aspx They are only about 4 inches long so about the right length without cutting the extra.

A mini lobster claw or trigger snap chain fastener would also be an alternative. They don't require much extension before releasing.
Trigger Snaps | Pet Hardware®

Pierce

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #17 – February 08, 2021, 01:02:36 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – February 08, 2021, 12:23:21 pm

A mini lobster claw or trigger snap chain fastener would also be an alternative. They don't require much extension before releasing.
Trigger Snaps | Pet Hardware®

I like that idea, plus you could add a second eye to lock the OFF position, if you needed a "Lock Out/Tag Out" scenario while working on something connected to the house 12V.

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #18 – February 08, 2021, 01:50:39 pm

Or replace it with a switch like this that has a removable handle, but then you'd need a place to store the handle.
Amazon.com : Blue Sea System 6005 Battery Switch Mini On/Off (25103) :...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #19 – February 08, 2021, 07:39:40 pm

I did the same thing the other day going out of the coach my knee hit the switch and all 12 volt lighting instantly went off. I knew immediately what I did so wasn't a big deal but
Don't think I really would want to lock that switch down anyway or remove the handle. I think it's just good to be aware that if you have problems with 12 volt check that switch first.

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #20 – February 09, 2021, 09:59:07 am

Personally, I like that switch and use it often.

We keep our coach inside in a storage unit, and it's dark in there. I leave some of the ceiling lights on, and just turn on the switch when I open the door and instantly have light throughout the coach (and some music as I leave the dash radio on my favorite station). I turn it off when I leave the storage unit.

Re: Lost all 12 volt power.

Reply #21 – February 09, 2021, 10:09:48 am

I think, so far, that my PVC idea is the least "hi-tech" of all the ideas presented here, along with the simplest and quickest way to access and actuate the Salesman's switch.
Now, if I could just come up with a way to signal that the switch--and only the switch-- has been turned to the "OFF" position

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