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Old 06-13-2017, 12:41 AM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: New Mexico
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Question 2014 Chateau - crazy electrical issues

We recently bought a 2014 Chateau from a private owner. We're actually the third owner of the unit, but this is our first RV. When we did the walk-through and test drive, everything looked great, obviously. The RV has a Pioneer AVH-P1400DVD audio unit that serves as the monitor for the backup camera and side mirrors.

We picked up the RV and drove it home (350 miles), and when we got home we noticed that even when the ignition was turned off, the blue control light on the unit stayed on (the display turned off). We assumed that this would run down the chassis battery, but we couldn't find a way to turn off the blue light except by putting the coach in "Store" mode.

We took the MH to our storage location and plugged her in. We had been told to always put her in "Store" mode when she was in storage, so we did. Duh, found out later that "Store" should only be used when she's NOT plugged in.

Anyway, since then we can't seem to get the audio/monitor system to work when we're driving. At all. But as soon as we get to the campsite and plug in, it comes on and stays on for about 48-50 hours, and then it gradually fades out and dies, even while we're still plugged in. We drove home from a 3-night camping trip today without it, took it to the storage facility, plugged in, and the audio/monitor system turned on again. Just for grins, we unplugged the electricity and tried turning on the overhead lights and fans--nothing worked. We tried toggling the switch between "Store" and "Use", but still could not get any power from the batteries for lights or fans. Boondocking disaster.

Can someone p-l-e-a-s-e explain to me (us) in layman's terms what we're doing wrong and how to fix this problem.

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Old 06-13-2017, 10:14 AM   #2
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The radio is powered by the house batteries, so when you are driving you need to put it in "use". They do this so you can use the radio at the campground without having to start the engine.
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Old 06-13-2017, 11:35 AM   #3
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Yeah only use "Store" when it is in storage and not plugged in. If you are using the RV it should be in "Use".
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Old 06-13-2017, 12:03 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by MiramarVA View Post
The radio is powered by the house batteries, so when you are driving you need to put it in "use". They do this so you can use the radio at the campground without having to start the engine.
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Originally Posted by JamieGeek View Post
Yeah only use "Store" when it is in storage and not plugged in. If you are using the RV it should be in "Use".
Thanks, guys. Yeah, we figured out the whole Store/Use thing. The problem is now that when it's not plugged in and we have it in Use mode, nothing works--no lights, fans or radio. When we plug it in and check the battery monitor it says that the batteries are fully charged.
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Old 06-13-2017, 12:25 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by JustCallUsNomads
Thanks, guys. Yeah, we figured out the whole Store/Use thing. The problem is now that when it's not plugged in and we have it in Use mode, nothing works--no lights, fans or radio. When we plug it in and check the battery monitor it says that the batteries are fully charged.
Look in the battery compartment there should be a big breaker with a flag or arm--if you can see the flag the breaker has tripped. Push the flag/arm back in to reset the breaker.
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Old 06-22-2017, 09:32 PM   #6
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Look in the battery compartment there should be a big breaker with a flag or arm--if you can see the flag the breaker has tripped. Push the flag/arm back in to reset the breaker.
No breaker in the battery compartment. Hubby called Thor and they said to look for a 50-amp breaker underneath the chassis near the battery compartment. He crawled under there and found no such breaker. He's going to call Thor back tomorrow. This is getting frustrating.
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Old 06-22-2017, 09:45 PM   #7
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Look for this is the battery compartment.
Click image for larger version

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Old 06-22-2017, 10:04 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by JustCallUsNomads View Post
Thanks, guys. Yeah, we figured out the whole Store/Use thing. The problem is now that when it's not plugged in and we have it in Use mode, nothing works--no lights, fans or radio. When we plug it in and check the battery monitor it says that the batteries are fully charged.
Your batteries are dead (or the safety breaker tripped) and when you are plugged in you are measuring your converter output with the installed battery monitor: So now you know your converter/charger works.
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Old 06-22-2017, 10:48 PM   #9
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Found it!

Thanks to a post from 2015 on a different thread, we finally located the reset switch. We had to pull out the bottom drawer beneath the stovetop, and the thingy with the reset switch (hubby could give you the proper technical term) is bolted to the floor under/behind the drawer. Hit the reset button and now we have battery power to the lights again, although it's a little weak. But at least we know where to find the reset button now!
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