wolfe10

Paul, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. Please tell us the make and model (or better, click on the "chain icon" above and post a link to each so we can compare specs. Thanks.

If you blow up while checking connections with generator off, shore power disconnected and inverter off, you will qualify as a MIRACLE. No, we don't expect one.

With the difference between a fully charged 12 volt battery and one that is 50% discharged being only about .6 VDC, you need at more accurate measurements-- that is the point being made here.

pbrosher, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. Please tell us what model year chassis, as well as what engine and transmission you have. Thanks.

Every one of those readings means neither battery bank is receiving ANY charge from your inverter/charger. And, all are dangerously low. What inverter/charger do you have. On most, you can not turn off the charge circuit or the pass-through feature. Said another way, on most only ability to "invert" from battery is a normal on/off function. Without knowing what inverter/charger you have we are GUESSING. The only other explanation I can think of is that when the smart inverter/charger sees 11 VDC, it (properly) says, that is a dead battery, I am not going to try to charge it. This can be overcome by plugging in a "stupid"/old technology charger to get it up to 12 VDC or so to where the inverter/charger will take over.

OK, enough. I will repeat (as both a participant and moderator): The FMCA Forum WILL remain a friendly place to exchange information. It will NOT go the way of so many organizations and forums that most of us have left. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but when it is posted just to be divisive, as long as I am moderator, it will not be allowed. Really guys, I have bent over backwards to allow everyone to express their opinion, but it is time for those interested in the future of FMCA to come together, not continue to pull apart. Locking thread now.

Follow the wires from the generator. It will be where wiring from generator is connected to wiring in the coach that goes to the ATS.

Guys, As moderator, I have really bend over backwards-- keeping this thread alive. But any more personal attacks WILL lead to it being shut down. Irrespective of how you voted (and I suspect very few of you know how I voted) it is my sincere hope that those of you who continue on the FMCA Forum and in FMCA ARE TRULY INTERESTED IN SEEING FMCA SUCCEED. If that is not your goal, guess from a personal standpoint (not as moderator) I wonder why you are here. Most of us have been involved in organizations and/or Forums that degraded into conflict. I know I have left them, never to return. I sure hope the FMCA Forum does not go that route, or I and many others will cease to participate. Yes, most are here because it is a positive experience-- let's keep it that way.

Wayne, From the ATS (automatic transfer switch) onward, there is no difference between shore and generator power. So, start by turning off and back on the on-generator breakers. Next (if you are safe working around 120 VAC) check for "power in" from the generator at the ATS. Yes, the most common cause of outlets not working is a tripped GFI, but if tripped, it would be the same on shore power or generator.

Yes, we need more information. But answers to generator and shore power will be the same. Let's do this-- have YOU tell us what is going on with your coach. With digital voltmeter (start under $10): With shore power off and generator off, check voltage at chassis and house banks. Plug into shore power or start generator. Check voltage at both banks again. Post here. And, unlikely it could be overcharged from shore/generator unless both banks are being overcharged, but your readings above will give us "bulk rate" voltage.

Have you verified that this IS a real issue, and not just malfunctioning gauges. Quick place to check is to put a tire gauge on the hose coming from the on-board air chuck/hose.

Not a lawyer, but there are many, many chapters that have membership restrictions. Most "brand chapters" are restrictive. Never been a problem in the past-- don't see that as an issue in the future.

Check online-- all you need is ID, length and if not straight, its configuration.

Lets wrap up this thread with the results-- no longer a "vote now" issue. This thread will be closed. This just went out by e-blast to all FMCA members with a registered e-mail address: Results are in for the recent membership vote. Members have voted to welcome owners of self-contained RVs: Total votes: 9,801 In favor: 6,820 Opposed: 2,981 Per FMCA's governing documents, the paperwork is being filed to make the vote official. Until the paperwork is finalized, we cannot accept membership applications from owners of self-contained RVs. So feel free to tell the news to your friends who own travel trailers and fifth wheels, but please let them know we are working on the details! We will tell you as soon as we are ready. In the meantime, we have gathered a list of questions you may have: Read FAQs I want to reassure everyone, regardless of how you voted, that the things you know and love about FMCA aren’t going to change! This is a chance for our RVing family to grow. Jon Walker, F268778 FMCA National Preside And this is the FAQ as linked in that e-blast: https://www.fmca.com/membershipvote Frequently Asked Questions About FMCA Welcoming All RV Owners With the recent vote of the FMCA membership to invite owners of all types of self-contained, wheeled recreation vehicles (with permanently installed cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities) to join the association, we understand that members may be concerned about what this means for them and may have questions. The following should answer most of them, but if you have a question that’s not addressed here, please feel free to contact the FMCA national office (membership@fmca.com; 800-543-3622 or 513-474-3622). Remember: FMCA is and will continue to be the organization you’ve known and loved. We’re just broadening our horizons a bit and sharing all of the good things FMCA has to offer with more RVers. The best thing FMCA has to offer, of course, is you – the members! We’re excited to begin this new journey and are glad you are along for the ride! 1) Will FMCA chapters be required to allow owners of towable RVs to join their chapter? No. Chapters still control their own bylaws. Your chapter will not be required to allow owners of towable RVs to join the chapter if your chapter members do not wish to do so. The scope of the chapter will continue to be the chapter members’ decision, and bylaws can be amended at any time (to include – or exclude – based on non-discriminatory factors). Many chapters already have restrictions or special interests in terms of the brand of vehicle, engine manufacturer, hobbies, etc. 2) Are we going to change the name of the association? Why would someone join an organization called Family Motor Coach Association if they own a fifth-wheel travel trailer? “FMCA” is how most of us refer to the organization today, so our recommendation is to keep the name but move to using only the acronym, much like AARP did when it opened its doors to pre-retirees. The association will still legally be known as Family Motor Coach Association, but we will just refer to it as FMCA. 3) How will the rallies be affected? Our goal is to keep delivering a great experience to current members while also appealing to the younger crowd. We will re-evaluate our convention structure to provide new and different activities. For example, we may have multiple entertainment options presented at different times of the day to accommodate various ages and interests. 4) Will FMCA be parking all vehicle types together at events? Yes. FMCA leaders have consulted with our layout and staging experts to achieve an optimum experience for everyone. 5) Will we need to retrain our parkers? It’s just a different type of vehicle, driven by equally skilled drivers. The same parking method will be used. 6) What parking differences are there in terms of parking towables next to motorhomes? Because we do pull-through parking in most cases, we do not expect to have any problems with parking at the conventions. Other RV organizations successfully park different types of vehicles together at their events. 7) What about generator usage at conventions? On-board generators tend to be quieter than portable generators. FMCA will continue to offer various parking options as we do now, including “full generator” areas where generators can be run 24 hours a day and “no generator” areas where they can’t be operated. Owners of all RVs will have the option to purchase electricity. We will require that only manufacturer-installed on-board generators be used in general and full-generator lots. Portable generators will not be permitted. 8) Will all RV owner members have full benefits? Yes. 9) Will all members be able to hold national office? Yes, all full (family or life) members will be able to hold national office. Associate members are not eligible to vote or hold an office. 10) What is the willingness of our current members to accept all vehicle types? As demonstrated by the recent vote, most current members are very much in favor of this change. We know many members who started out with towable RVs before purchasing a motorhome. Our hope is that current members will welcome all new members, regardless of the equipment they travel with. 11) Towable owners’ educational needs may differ. Will FMCA focus on their needs? We don’t anticipate dropping any of our motorhome educational programs and will continue in our historic role as the authoritative resource for motorhome information; however, over time our content and seminars will naturally expand to include helpful and educational information about all RVs as members with other equipment join us. 12) Does FMCA offer seminars regarding starting new chapters? We don’t have such a seminar currently but we certainly can, if members are interested! 13) Will we keep the FMCAssist Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance Program? Yes. Opening FMCA to more RV owners will help the organization and spread out the cost of this expensive benefit over a larger pool of members. 14) Some people look at FMCA as an elitist organization. Will opening up the membership to all RV owners help with that? It’s easy for people to think that way based on the previous motorhome requirement, but we know that FMCA members are warm, wonderful people. With the recent vote, we will welcome all RVers so they can experience our exclusive benefits without feeling “excluded” because they don’t own a motorhome! Many of us started with an RV other than a motorhome, and we strongly believe it’s not about the equipment; it’s about the people who chose the RV lifestyle. 15) How do we keep younger kids active in FMCA? This presents an opportunity to revisit our Youth Program. We don’t want to just have an on-site babysitting service. Our goal is to provide meaningful activities for the children and young adults, too. With an infusion of new and perhaps younger members, we’ll have new ideas and new energy for our “family” members with families! 16) Why should I continue to be a member? FMCA is unique. It is a not-for-profit RV association, the largest in the world. Our mission is education (and fun) and, with that in mind, we continue to develop the offerings of the FMCA Academy. FMCA also provides great benefits, such as the tire buying program, the FMCAssist Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance Program, and the Connect-on-the Go and the Tech Connect+ Benefit Package. FMCA will continue to be unique among the major clubs because it is the only one owned and governed by its membership. 17) How will FMCA fulfill the vision that the founders had that FMCA would be an exclusive club for motorized RVs? We recognize your concern about this issue. However, to continue to exist as an association, we also recognize that we need to avoid stagnation. The RV marketplace has changed and evolved over time. We’ve looked around and seen that our families and friends – those we want to welcome as new FMCA members – have many choices of RVs that are not motorized. We want to make sure FMCA flourishes well into the future, and broadening our focus is a way to help ensure this. 18) What happened to cause us to change our minds about non-motorized RVs? This isn’t the first time this idea has come up. Members have repeatedly asked FMCA leadership why the association didn’t welcome all RV owners. After all, it’s not about the equipment; it’s about the people who choose the RV lifestyle. Our goal is to make sure FMCA is around for the next generation. So, we need to continue to welcome younger RVers to ensure continued growth of the association. 19) Did FMCA do this just because of the money? No. It’s about the family! Motorhomes don’t go to conventions; people do. We want dues to stay affordable for everyone while providing top-notch benefits. With more members over whom to spread the cost of the member benefits, FMCA can serve more RV owners. 20) Younger people are known for not being interested in joining organizations, and they may not want to volunteer. How will we handle that? It’s true that younger people with families may be busy working, raising their children, and have other day-to-day demands that can make time for volunteering difficult. But we won’t know until we ask. By talking with them, welcoming them, and inviting their participation as volunteers, we may find they bring a higher level of energy to our volunteer efforts, even if they can’t participate as often as current members. Extend a greeting the next time you see a younger RVer, and you may find those who would be interested in FMCA membership aren’t so different from you! After all, millennials and Gen-Xers are the future of the RV industry. 21) How will we adjust our methods of communication as we welcome owners of towables, many of whom are likely to be younger than today’s FMCA members? We don’t have any plans in place to eliminate publications or current communications tools. We are already using email and social media effectively, and this will continue to evolve as we gain experience with these methods. 22) Will our benefits change? They may – but only for the better! Even today, benefits evolve to serve our members. As we see an increase in membership, we’ll just have a wider audience of member needs and interests. FMCA will never stop delivering value (and fun) to our members. 23) Why couldn’t we have just grown the organization by getting more motorhome owners to join? FMCA has an active member recruitment program and has been signing up thousands of new members every year. However, we also have been losing thousands of members every year due to age-related factors. The new members who are joining today aren’t new to RVing – they have built friendships and memories with other RVers. Instead of feeling as though they were turning their backs on those friendships, we’d rather they just bring their friends along for the fun with FMCA! Please keep in mind – these changes won’t happen overnight. We’ll always be the FMCA family. The people who choose to join us going forward will be just like us: friendly, welcoming, helpful – and FUN. The only difference is they might pull up in a different kind of RV.

F207364, Please tell us what coach, chassis and current tire size and series you have. That will help you get reasonable responses.

Safest way to wire a "separate power source": Direct from chassis battery or large-gauge connection to it with inline fuse as close to "source" as possible. Minimum 8 gauge wire to connector at back of coach, 8 gauge wire to toad battery with inline fuse at toad battery. Best to up-size ground wire from coach to connection and toad to connection to 8 gauge. Wired this way, it will charge toad battery anytime the toad is plugged into coach. If you only want it to charge with the coach ignition on, use a relay at coach end with an ignition-hot as the trigger. Plenty of those in the engine room.

Herman, To make it clear, I assume you are unplugging the block heater and plugging in a small smart charger.

Couple of points. As long as the breaker to the inverter/charger is on, it will be doing two things: "passing through" 120 VAC to circuits downstream AND charging at least the house battery bank. You will have to verify that your coach is wired to also charge the chassis battery-- that is not standard on a lot of coaches. Leaving the inverter turned on will give an added feature-- if shore power goes out, it will deplete the battery to supply power to all circuits downstream of the inverter/charger. IMO, not a particularly good idea. Also, your inverter/charger is programmable-- probably easily from your inverter remote. Suggest you reconfirm that it is properly programmed for: battery type, bank size and also ambient temperature unless yours has the optional temperature probe. And, with any wet cell battery, be sure to check water level. Running them dry even once kills them.

OH,,,,,, Stop whining. Ya, spell check "kills wine ing" every time.

Totally agree. Service intervals are related to "work" by a component. Tire, differential and in some cases, the transmission "works" when towing.

Thanks, John, Ya, very frustrating when a manufacturer's engineering, legal and marketing departments can't/don't get their act together. And with the manual transmission Civic being one the best vehicle in its category, a shame it is not on the "approved list"! Ancient history-- I worked for American Honda in the early 1980's and then GM of Honda dealership (read that, big fan of Honda).

Keon, Totally agree with you about the special interest groups and ethanol--ethanol is bad for everyone except the farmers and ethanol producers, and I guess their lobbyists and congressmen who benefit from their campaign contributions. But, would question that engine longevity is down-- actually it is way up. Today's engines, partially due to tighter control on tolerances and partially due to much cleaner burn ARE lasting well longer than "per-emission" engines. And, I think we all understand that most vehicles are "world" vehicles. Even without the EPA, European emission standards (with the increased HP and MPG that stiffer standards brought) would have lead to acceptance of those standards in the U.S. Said another way, consumers here would have been willing to pay a premium for greater performance and economy.

raibourn, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. Assume you are talking about a temperature rise while using the dash A/C. If so, your condition is contrary to what one would expect. That is, that with more engine RPM, the A/C compressor turns faster and SHOULD cool better. We generally raise engine speed to recharge a dash A/C so it can move more Freon. Have you felt the hoses to the heater core? More engine RPM also means more coolant circulation and if the valve is not completely closed, this could cause your condition.

While I disagree with some of what EPA does lets be sure to credit them with the advances in gasoline engines over the last couple of decades. Having spent my career in the automobile business, I have watched "from the inside out". Sure, pollution is down. But, more importantly for consumers MPG is WAY up and HP is WAY up. Heck, close to half the cars today have 0-60 MPH times equal to the muscle cars on the 1960's and get 3X the MPG. Without the EPA, there would have been zero reason for vehicle manufactures to ever leave carburetors, mechanical/vacuum distributors and frequent tuneups.

I agree. Covering them protects them from UV light, not ozone. There may be a "test" that at least gives us some useful information. Look at duals-- the inside tire is not exposed to UV light, but does run hotter than the outside tire and likely will have been exposed to more petroleum products (nearer sources of grease and oil and never cleaned off). Compare cracking on them.