No power from the house batteries

[w6lmj]

Getting ready to go to a funeral a 1,000 miles north of me in Florida when the steps failed to extend???

The information panel showed no battery power? They had been fine earlier in the day when I topped off the propane and fueled up.

I got out the voltmeter. Batteries showed 11.77 volts. Started the engine, no change, so the batteries appear to be disconnected. I expected to see some current flowing into the batteries as indicated by a higher voltage across the batteries.

Plugged into shore power and the steps came out, and now the lights work, but the steps won't retract. Checked the DC fuses and they appear fine.

Started the motorhome and put it in gear thinking that would cause the steps to retract. They did not. So I am guessing power to the steps in intermittent.

The battery monitor test within the status panel shows fully charged on the battery when plugged into shore power, but no battery power when disconnected.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Terry - W6LMJ

[16ACE27]

Put you USE/STORE switch in USE. If that doesn't do it check the 50/100 Amp DC breaker near your batteries.

I assume when you did the "start the engine and put it in gear" test you had disconnected shore power?

[JamieGeek]

Use/Store switch in Store?
Check for the breaker by the batteries: Look for a yellow flag showing, if you see it push it back in.


LOL! Jinx

[steve76]

11.77 volts? Batts are discharged.

[Miramar Owner]

I'm not sure about your unit, but on my Miramar the Use/Store switch has nothing to do with the steps. They operate off your chassis battery, not your house batteries. As you said it could be an intermittent problem related to a loose ground wire near your steps. If you had enough power to start your RV that should be plenty to operate your steps. I don't think it is a fuse or breaker problem or it wouldn't happen sporadically. I suggest looking underneath and seeing if you have a poor connection.

All of this is said on the assumption the only problem you are having relates to the steps. If not you need to provide more detail.

[Laco]

I agree, its probably not related to use/store, nor is it a fuse, because of its intermittent failure. Because of the location of the step motor, it is very prone to getting packed with dirt, road debris, as well as the gears. I had a step completely fail, wouldn't extend, taking motor and drive apart, cleaning and lubricating fixed it.

[rickymac]

Try running generator 2 hours to recharge your batteries. Unplug from shore power before testing power level of your batteries.

Good luck...

By the way, what kind of batteries do you have and how old are they?

[bruno1950]

In Nashville and spent the day trying to get power from the house batteries. Lost back up cameras lights, etc on the way. Everything wired to house was inoperable except for when the generator was running or we were hooked up to shore power. Started by replacing both crap batteries with Interstate. Was getting power to the solenoid so luckily I found a place that stocked them. Replaced the solenoid. Still no luck. Found a little 5 amp breaker tied into a line feeding the solenoid. It was fried. Replaced it and all worked well. My thought is the solenoid was bad, and fried the breaker. Great way to spend my third day of retirement.

[Bob Denman]

Glad to hear that you found the problem!
Now: retirement can only get better!!
Congratulations!

[bruno1950]

BTW. Cynthia with Thor tech support was wonderful. Not only did she give me great advice she sent wiring schematics without me even asking. Pretty happy with them.

[16ACE27]

I wonder if the OP made it to his funeral?