dickandlois

Just going to add a little item to the thread regarding the Inverter / Charger. On the way North from the Southern part of the country, where we went to find some warmer weather for a time. The charger portion of our Inverter / charger failed. Took me some time to figure out that the charger had indeed failed. The only indication in hindsight was the presents of noise in the video display for the rear view camera. When driving, generator off, there where dark and light streaks present. After removing the positive feed between the charger and the battery bank's, I restarted the Coach engine and no more noise on the screen. INTERESTING !!! It's been an ongoing issue that would come and go. But the charger diodes are shorted and I need to check for other items that could have failed yet. The second item that told me something was wrong, was the fact that the coach batteries would read 13.5 volts after shutting down the engine and starting the generator the voltage would drop to 6.25 volts. Remember! the battery charge was 13 plus volts and as soon as the generator was started - the battery level dropped to 6.25 volts. RED charge LED and a hot smell coming from the Xantrex unit. Not Good ! Now to replace or rebuild question as this issue falls into one of my skill sets. LOL Rich.

2mahams, jleamont's thought about call Xantrex is a good one. They are very helpful. They might offer some thoughts and tests for you to run. This is not an uncommon item. The panel LED's come on when the batteries are drawing a charge and the charging current triggers the red, yellow and green lamps. When the charge current drops below a preset level the green LED goes out, as the 12 volt loads draw down the voltage the charge current goes high enough to turn on the LED again. Rich.

I posted a number of links for the Workhorse Chassis on the 27th of March 2015 and have been notified that they no longer work and sure enough the only one still working is the first one. Looks like when Workhorse went out of production the links went also so I will do my best to try and find any and all the information over the next few weeks and see if there is a way to build a folder in the photo gallery with the information. Please keep your fingers crossed as the old computer has been under the weather to say the least - Think its out of the surgery but still in intensive care. Rich

Herman, You would hold the switch down until you have all the codes recorded / saved in the ECM. The Codes will repeat again and again as long as you hold down the key. The Idle speed key will go back one code,with each click so one can record them if needed.. OH, If you press the Idle speed switch - you can increasing the idle speed set point, but only to a max. RPM set in the ECM software or set the speed by using the throttle and pressing the cruse button as posted by the O.P. Rich.

WindsorE, The switches You posted a picture of - do allow you to read the engine codes on the 5.9 Cummings Engine. The Check engine light will flash the codes stored. To Read engine codes on the Freightliner Chassis (The code must be active. i.e. Still showing as a Check Engine or other fault 1. Shut the engine off. 2. Hold the Engine Check switch down. Located down by the steering column. 3. Turn the ignition key to on. Both the Check Engine (yellow) and the Stop Engine (red) will come on momentary. If no fault is active, both lights will come on and stay on. 4. The Fault Code will flash in the following sequence. First, the Check Engine (Yellow) lamp will flash. Then the Stop Engine light will flash the error number's in sequence. There will be a short one or two second pause between each number. When the number has finished flashing, (in red), a yellow light will appear again. The three digit code will repeat twice in the same sequence. The lights flash each fault code out two times before advancing to the next code. To skip to the next fault code sooner, or back to the previous code, touch the switch labeled Idle Increase/Decrease . This is a center off rocker switch located next to the Engine Check switch. If only one fault is active, the same fault will flash again. Rich.

1stmate, Welcome to the Forum also! Could you post the make and model of your electric steps for the group? Rich.

John, You might want to file the water heater tank with a 50/50 mix of water and distilled vinegar,when it is covenant. Fill it using the safety valve opening - remove the valve, drain the tank, fill it with the mixture, replace the valve, start the water heater and let it come up to its shutoff temperature. Let the mix stand in the tank for 4 hrs. Remove the drain plug and the safety valve. Then flush the tank with clean water using a garden sprayer until all the white lime stops flowing out the drain and replace the plug and safety valve. you should see a difference in the water heater efficiency. Also you could see some lime deposits build up in the faucet screens, you have not had the issue all ready. Rich.

Kind of true Bill ! As long as the coach builders meet all the safety standards set by the industry, they can do change things around as needed to get each model assembled in a way to connect all the hardware and systems. Rich

Richard, From the outlet that works, how many outlets are down stream from it that do not work and what do you plug into them? There is a possibility of a bad connection at the connection from the last box that works and or the input connection of the first box that does not work. Coach manufactures use the push in connections instead of the screw connections for the wires. They are much faster to connect that way, but they can tend to loosen over time or corrosion forms between the wire and the retaining spring clip. Rich.

KL, Glad you found a way to start the CA units. The information you posted,regarding the current surge comes real close to the max current the generator can supply per load leg. Adding a hard start cap to each of the AC Compressors will help, but it might only mask an issue with the OEM AC starting circuit. The capacitors and the motor start module are not that expensive - think I missed the Year your coach was built. I have replaced the starting caps on my AC units after one of them failed to start. NOTE! In the process I found a badly burned section of wire that connected the 120 volt AC power to the main Start capacitor and the connection had a large amount of coronation at the connection. This also caused a higher resistance. That resistance also reduced the starting current to the start cap. A capacitor is a current passing device not a voltage passing device. When the cap fails the Motor does not get the kick it needs and the motor then tries to draw more current then the run circuit can supply. The next thing that happens is the circuit breaker trips or the generator safety circuit kicks in. Keep the current below the trip point of the generator the way you did,by disconnection the charger/Invertor . Things work for now. You might want to look or have a service tech check for the same problem on your units Rich. A note to others reading this post ! This coach is equipped with what sounds like AC / Heat pump systems not exposed to hail damage. If you have been in a hail storm - The hail can damage the condenser fins on a roof unit. This causes the high side pressure on the AC system to increase. The higher pressure causes the compressor motor to draw more current. The increased current will then burnout the motor. There is a maximum pressure level for all air conditioning system. So if your not one that likes or can walk around on top of your coach to check for damage. An AC tech with the proper information and training can test the high and low side pressures and see if they are out side the design limits and if they are have the condensers fins visually inspected. Might save you a lot of money out of pocket if your insurance does not cover replacement.

Brett, the OP mentioned the unit was serviced not long ago. Good to know that things work fine on shore power. kind of takes the main wiring out of the picture. With new filters and oil change recently performed, Was the fuel filter replaced at the time? Good point. Did the unit operate properly with a full load after the service? Could the fuel line have been compromised is some way? Sure sounds like there where no issues before the service. No mention of error codes. I might be reaching a little, but there is a small possibility of a loose connection in the J Box connections where the generator wiring is connected to the coach wiring before the transfer switch. Rich.

Carl, From the information you have posted and combining that with Brett's thoughts. You might want to check for any restriction(S) in the exhaust system. Thinking that there is a possibility the glow plugs might be gummed up with soot, along with the exhaust valves. The service was performed not that long ago per your OP. Checking the exhaust system does not require removing the generator, if yours is not mounted on a slid out> Not nice riding around in a cold coach for sure. Might want to ride down towards Key West for a few weeks. Rich.

Klparker, You mentioned that the generator quits when you start the AC. Do you have more then one AC unit? Should you only have one, I would check the compressor starting caps and motor starter module. If you find no problems in that area check the compressor for a shorted winding. I have a feeling the AC compressor is drawing a high current, but if that is the case you might also have a defective circuit breaker in the 120 volt circuit breaker box. Try turning it off and back on - if it feels different then the others have it tested, because a good breaker should trip if the AC is drawing a high current. Let the group know what you find or the service tech finds. Rich.

I go with Bill regarding the blue smoke. Always good to check the oil level when the unit has set for a time. After it started and run for a time, did you shut it down and try a restart? did it start right up? When you have the unit serviced - make sure they clean the spark arrester - by removing the system plug in the exhaust system and running the generator under a heavy load. This will clean the soot buildup from the system and it does not take a lot of soot in the wrong place to cause issues. Rich.

I hope your not along the East coast from N.C. to Boston Mass. They are in for something like 6in. to 30in. depending on how this storm tracks. Rich.

nkgunner, Could you attach a picture of the batteries you want to replace. you should have 4 or more 6 volt batteries for the coach and 2 -12 volt batteries for the chassis. The most common configuration. Note! the 6 volts are more square and the 12 volt size is more like a rectangle. The dimensions you posted are for the rectangular batteries - most likely the 31 series. Got to ask if you have a Gas or Diesel coach and what Model an Year? Rich

Todd, I'm using Microsoft operating system and Fire Fox for my browser. Rich

I'm Having pop up issues -- When I click on a Forum title link the first time, like engines, electrical or any other item. I get and external link to all kinds of sights at random. When I click on them a second time, I get what I'm looking for? Where would I look to block this problem ? My security software does not fine any issues! This seams to be an issue when I first open the subject thread-like I'm dragging add ware an it opens only first time. Close the link and reopen it and all is normal; as long as I stay on the section of the FMCA web page I'm interested in -or stay on the web page and not wander off to a new window - tab. on the internet ! Rich

To All, this software got into my computer while updating my search engine. It looks very official, but it is trouble. Just wanted to help others avoid a problem! Been getting more then my share as of late! Rich.

dcstein, Welcome to the FMCA Forum! I'm not real familiar with your coach, but in regards to the Genset repair: The Onan units have one belt that drives the water pump, that has a replacement scheduled at 1000 hrs. per there information. Should your coach Generator be equipped with a slid out - that makes working on them much easier. If your generator not be mounted in this way, it must be removed for the coach to replace the water pump belt, or any other maintenance other then Oil changes, oil filter, fuel filters and the fuel pump. The good thing is that the belts can last for 250 to 500 more hrs, but there is no way of knowing for sure. So if you depend on it more often if you dry camp more, then it would have a higher priority. Bill, made many good points regarding the repairs if you do not have some good repair records that would establish a good base line of the condition of the coach chassis, engine, drive line and transmission. Along with the condition and age of the tires !!! Rich.

Yep - Dave does not need to run the engine but do keep an eye on the water level in the coach batteries if they are wet cells. The water level should be good for 2 to 3 months on average. Might add-Clean the floor as needed, dust the inside surfaces, Keep the windows clean, might need to clean off the chairs and always have the wine-cheese and crackers ready! Rich.

Herman, Steve runs a tight ship, Jeff might have to file a "Request For Leave" form! LOL Hope the parking crew catches some good weather! See you and Brett in Perry. Need to call the Office and see if they need help with Security and maybe 6 packs. The bending down over extended time is not as easy anymore. LOL Then our local chapter is helping with the Northeast Rally. Not sure of all the details on that one yet !! Rich.

Thanks Kay ! The wiring I setup is different, but you are correct about the total current. I have to be careful when posting early in the morning when the coffee has warren off !!! Rich.

Lyle, 2 Batteries are connected in series to make 12 volts. Each set offers a total of 135 AH. The 2 series sets are connected in Parallel. With 2 series sets in parallel offers a total of 270 AH. Battery Connections 2-135 AH batteries in series =135 AH *2 in Parallel = 270 AH To positive source(Charger).or Load To common ground ↑ ↑ +P---B 1---N-Connect↔-+P--B 2---N to ground =12 volts@135 AH ↕ Connect 2 Positives ↕ Connect 2 Negatives = 270 AH +P---B 3---N-Connect↔-+P--B 4---N to ground = 12 volts@135 AH Rich.

Harold, Try this phone number for Michelin. 1-866-866-6605 hope it helps get in contact! Rich