Power problem - Need help!

T

tom winslow

New member
Jun 28, 1998
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I keep our '74 Eleganza SE plugged in to the house power and I watch to be
sure that the lamp on the table is always burning. Tonight it was out. When
I entered the GMC, I noticed that I did not hear the familiar Hummmmm of
the converter. Everything seems to work with the Onan and the DC seems to
work OK. But, I cannot get the power on to the lamp.

What has failed? The converter? Is there some type of RESET for these
things? If it is toast, where can I get a new one in time for out trip
tomorrow night?

Advice appreciated.

tw

- --
Thomas P. Winslow
1974 GMC Eleganza SE TZE064V101146
189 Hicks Creek Road, Troutman, NC 28166
h704-528-5868 * f704-528-5868 * p704-878-1157
E-Mail: winslow * tom_winslow
Web Page: http://www.iredell.com
 
Tom,
Even wwith a kaput convertor the 12v lights, etc., will operate as long as the
coach batteries are up. The only way I know of to check your convertor is to
disconnect the coach batteries, then plug in to shore (110v power) and check
your 12v coach lights (bathroom, etc). If they work, your convertor is ok; if
they don't the convertor is not putting out juice. There is a circuit breaker
on your panel that powers the plug that the convertor is plugged into. See if
that plug is "hot" by plugging in your faithful light. If it is hot, then your
convertor probably went south. Most RV stores have replacement convertors in
stock and it is an easy job to install. On mine you have to pull the oven but
that is only a 10 minute job.

Gary
'77 Kingsley
North Bend, Oregon Coast

> I keep our '74 Eleganza SE plugged in to the house power and I watch to be
> sure that the lamp on the table is always burning. Tonight it was out. When
> I entered the GMC, I noticed that I did not hear the familiar Hummmmm of
> the converter. Everything seems to work with the Onan and the DC seems to
> work OK. But, I cannot get the power on to the lamp.
>
> What has failed? The converter? Is there some type of RESET for these
> things? If it is toast, where can I get a new one in time for out trip
> tomorrow night?
>
> Advice appreciated.
>
> tw
>
> --
> Thomas P. Winslow
> 1974 GMC Eleganza SE TZE064V101146
> 189 Hicks Creek Road, Troutman, NC 28166
> h704-528-5868 * f704-528-5868 * p704-878-1157
> E-Mail: winslow * tom_winslow
> Web Page: http://www.iredell.com
 
The lamp is AC. Plugs into the outlet under the table.

tw

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Gcbr
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 1999 9:56 PM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: Re: GMC: Power problem - Need help!

In a message dated 5/5/99 8:21:53 PM Central Daylight Time,

> sure that the lamp on the table is always burning. Tonight it was out.

Tom

Is the lamp on the table AC or DC?

Take Care
Arch
 
Thanks. I will check it out at first daylight.

tw

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Gcbr
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 1999 10:54 PM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: Re: GMC: Power problem - Need help!

In a message dated 5/5/99 9:42:37 PM Central Daylight Time,

>
> The lamp is AC. Plugs into the outlet under the table.
>
> tw
>
Tom

OK if you have no converter hum and no AC light I would be looking at
a breaker where you are plugged in at. Sounds like you have lost AC
not converter. The converter and the AC circuit for the lamp are on
different breakers in the coach so you would have to have lost both
for both to be out. Go to the source------where ever you are plugged
in. TWIAT= Thats What I Am Thinking

Take Care
Arch
 
Tom, somewhere in your 12v house system (usually at your house 12v fuse
terminal) is a large fuse that connects your house battery(s) and your
converter. If you remove this fuse, you will separate the two systems,
making diognostics a bit easier. On my 78 Royale, the house load, and it's
various fuses, is connected to the converter with the large fuse allowing
the house battery(s) to also supply power, or receive charge from the
converter.

Of course, no "hum" probably means that the converter is not on. If the
fuse is OK, the house battery will power the light until the battery drains
down. Depending upon how your boost switch is connected, you might try your
boost switch and see if the light works. Then remove the large fuse and
check it. Finally, disconnect the converter from the 12v system and
reinstall the large fuse. If your house battery has power, the lights
should work.

Some years ago, I often left the GMC plugged in, but it was over-charging
the batteries, causing them to fail within a year or so. I have since
ceased that practice. There are now some excellent "smart" chargers that
you can leave connected without harming the batteries.

I hope this helps.

Scott Shean
78 Royale
Baton Rouge, LA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-gmcmotorhome
> [mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Tom Winslow
> Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 1999 8:21 PM
> To: GMC Motorhome List
> Subject: GMC: Power problem - Need help!
> Importance: High
>
>
> I keep our '74 Eleganza SE plugged in to the house power and I watch to be
> sure that the lamp on the table is always burning. Tonight it was
> out. When
> I entered the GMC, I noticed that I did not hear the familiar Hummmmm of
> the converter. Everything seems to work with the Onan and the DC seems to
> work OK. But, I cannot get the power on to the lamp.
>
> What has failed? The converter? Is there some type of RESET for these
> things? If it is toast, where can I get a new one in time for out trip
> tomorrow night?
>
> Advice appreciated.
>
> tw
>
> --
> Thomas P. Winslow
> 1974 GMC Eleganza SE TZE064V101146
> 189 Hicks Creek Road, Troutman, NC 28166
> h704-528-5868 * f704-528-5868 * p704-878-1157
> E-Mail: winslow * tom_winslow
> Web Page: http://www.iredell.com
>
>
>
>
>
 
Tom, forget my long discussion of the 12v system, except for the last
paragraph. Larry Nelson gave good advice for the 110v problem.

Scott Shean
78 Royale
Baton Rouge, LA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-gmcmotorhome
> [mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Tom Winslow
> Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 1999 9:42 PM
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: RE: GMC: Power problem - Need help!
>
>
> The lamp is AC. Plugs into the outlet under the table.
> tw
>
 
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