New to RV's - lots of questions

[csheipe757]

I just bought my grandfathers 2006 Montana 3500RL from my grandmother after he passed recently. I'm having all sorts of electrical issues and water issues. I cannot figure out why the camper doesn't seem to want to switch from the 12 volt battery to the "shore power" (I work on tugboats and I'm lacking a better name for it now)
I'm sure there's a switch somewhere I'm missing. The A/C, refrigerator and microwave all working fine. It seems to me like half of the camper is running fine off 120v and the other half is running of 12v. I tried to run the water pump and it kicked the A/C and refrigerator off. It didn't blow and breakers or fuses. I charged to the battery back up to 12v and have had no problems since. I have to replace the 90 on the back of the city water inlet and then try the water pump again. It has a crack in it. What all do I need to do to use the water system without filling up the tank? Does anyone have any idea about the electrical issues?
Thanks
-Chandler

[waynemoore]

If you are on 50 amp check the shore power plugs one leg may be disconnected. This happens to me several times.

[WeBeFulltime]

Many of your lights and any powered roof vents operate off 12v even when connected to shore power. When connected to shore power your converter supplies 12v to them. Your bedroom TV is probably 12v also.

[DQDick]

You also can't use the water pump if you don't have water in the tank, that's where it gets it's water from. Also, if your batteries were down and you tried to run the water pump it could affect the Frig and AC since, while they run on 120v, their controls run on 12v as does the water pump.

[WaltBennett]

Originally Posted by DQDick

You also can't use the water pump if you don't have water in the tank, that's where it gets it's water from. Also, if your batteries were down and you tried to run the water pump it could affect the Frig and AC since, while they run on 120v, their controls run on 12v as does the water pump.

Yes, there are several weird things like these - the hot water heater control for 110v is also a 12v DC thing.

[h2ojocky]

As far as water goes you have two options. Fill the tank and use your 12v pump, or hook a hose to your domestic water connection. On my 2005 2955RL, both of these connections are on the left side of trailer near the rear, behind a small door.

[The Bone]

As for lights, You can tell the 110 from 12 volt because the on off switches are different. 110's are like the ones in the house and the 12 volt are mostly small ones on the fixture. The outside lights are also smaller switches not sure the location but mine are like smaller toggle switches.
There is a outside hookup for water. Mine is behind a door that also contains the fill for the fresh tank.There is a hookup on the outside thast is for the black water tank so dont confuse the two.