battery power and control panel switch

[sehsteve@gmail.com]

I have a 2002 Dodge Roadtrek 190P, no generator. On the control panel the lower right switch is "battery." It turns on the battery power to run lights, water pump, etc. when not on shore power. I turned it off the other day and it didn't feel right nor did power go off. I thought it was the switch so I bought a mini "MOM-ON/OFF/ON" switch at Camping world and put it in. Now nothing comes on! If I start the van, then the interior lights, water pump, etc. work just like it should. I have checked all fuses and breakers and now am at an impasse. I have not idea what to check next. I did take pictures of the wiring and think I have it wired back as it was (hope so).
Any and all help appreciated. Electrical problems baffle me.
Oh, also it seems to me we used to hear a click when we would turn house power on/off, IDK.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[booster]

I have a 2002 Dodge Roadtrek 190P, no generator. On the control panel the lower right switch is "battery." It turns on the battery power to run lights, water pump, etc. when not on shore power. I turned it off the other day and it didn't feel right nor did power go off. I thought it was the switch so I bought a mini "MOM-ON/OFF/ON" switch at Camping world and put it in. Now nothing comes on! If I start the van, then the interior lights, water pump, etc. work just like it should. I have checked all fuses and breakers and now am at an impasse. I have not idea what to check next. I did take pictures of the wiring and think I have it wired back as it was (hope so).
Any and all help appreciated. Electrical problems baffle me.
Oh, also it seems to me we used to hear a click when we would turn house power on/off, IDK.
Thanks,
Steve

The switch should be a momentary on switch both ways with spring load to center off as it runs a bistable relay that uses two circuits, one to turn on and one to turn off.


The switch going bad probably blew a fuse or both fuses on the bistable relay. The relay is a round cylinder with two large connections and two fuses visible easily, probably black and near the shore charger/converter. The bistable relay is what you used to hear clunk.


The switch is on as a pulse only on both sides as relay moves both ways under power to turn on and off so both get power turned on to activate them one at a time.


You definitely need to find the right switch if that is not what you have, and then also find the relay to check the fuses.


If that doesn't fix it, you will need to dig deeper but do those easy things first.


Here is a link to the owner's manual, if you don't have one.


https://roadtrek.com/owners/#section-manuals


Here is a link to the 2002 Chevy 190 which is very likely wired similarly for the bistable relay and switch. See page E9 for the switch and other 12v wiring.



https://roadtrek.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2002-Roadtrek_Owners_Manual_190_Chevrolet_model.pdf

 

[sehsteve@gmail.com]

Thank you so much for your quick reply. I think I have the correct switch as it does go back to center. I will have to figure out where the bistable relay that you mention is at. I guess that is separate from the inverter panel? I'll work on this next week.

 

[sehsteve@gmail.com]

The switch should be a momentary on switch both ways with spring load to center off as it runs a bistable relay that uses two circuits, one to turn on and one to turn off.


The switch going bad probably blew a fuse or both fuses on the bistable relay. The relay is a round cylinder with two large connections and two fuses visible easily, probably black and near the shore charger/converter. The bistable relay is what you used to hear clunk.


The switch is on as a pulse only on both sides as relay moves both ways under power to turn on and off so both get power turned on to activate them one at a time.


You definitely need to find the right switch if that is not what you have, and then also find the relay to check the fuses.


If that doesn't fix it, you will need to dig deeper but do those easy things first.


Here is a link to the owner's manual, if you don't have one.


Contact Roadtrek Service and Warranty


Here is a link to the 2002 Chevy 190 which is very likely wired similarly for the bistable relay and switch. See page E9 for the switch and other 12v wiring.



https://roadtrek.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2002-Roadtrek_Owners_Manual_190_Chevrolet_model.pdf

 

[sehsteve@gmail.com]

Thanks for your help. I know zero about electrics but prefer to fix the van myself when possible. I replaced the battery switch and it does return to center. However that does not solve the problem as when we push the switch to on the red indicator light glows and this device I am sending clicks (battery disconnect relay). However the power does not stay on as it should (if I hold the switch down the red light stays on and there is coach power) Is this the bistable relay you mention? It clicks when I flip the switch. Both fuses are good. I am wondering how do I know if this is good or bad or if I should replace it? THANKS much for your advice.

 

[GeorgeRad]

Your Intellitec relay could have contaminated/corroded contacts with cupric oxide and old grease, it happened to me a while back. This relay could be disassembled and copper contact discs cleaned or replace with a new relay. See the attached pdf file for details how it works.

faulty battery disconnect

Seems like when i want to disconnect my coach battery , using the wall switch near the monitors, I have to trigger it a couple of times to get the solenoid (in the electrical compartment) to engage/disengage. Should i look at replacing that unit or could it be something else? Is there a...

www.classbforum.com

 

[sehsteve@gmail.com]

Thanks you so very much George. I reviewed the links you sent. VERY HELPFUL. I worked on BEV (our van) this afternoon, took the device apart, cleaned it and turned the contact bolts over and put it back together only to realize I'd left the spring out. Okay, do over. AMAZING all seems good now. I so appreciate your help and advice. I did not see where any electrical grease referenced had been or might be and I did not add any.

 

[GeorgeRad]

I am glad you were able to get this issue resolve. If it would happen again you can use a conductive grease to prevent copper oxidation like this one

Amazon.com

VOLT® Conductive Electrical Grease

It should prevent formation of copper oxide which is not conductive. If you ever would like to get a better battery disconnect a BLUE SEA unit has silvered contacts but is bulky and expensive.

Amazon.com