We are doing a trail run and have problems

[Driftwoodgal]

Hi gang,

We are camping again this weekend and have run into some problems. The problem could be the novice campers or maybe it is the Monty so I am posting what we had on and what we were hooked up to etc. I would love to hear your suggestions as to if the operators are dummies or if we need to check back with the dealership.

Thanks in advance for you expert knowledge.

First off let me say that yesterday it reached 104F. We arrived at the camp ground about 2:30 PM. I have inslalled the solar material on all of the windows to help out the one AC in the Montana.

After setting up to the 50 amp, we had the hot water heater, AC, and refrig running without a problem. About 7PM we came inside to start getting things ready for dinner and the lights seemed dim in the kitchen. I looked over and the refrig was off, AC was still running fine, and the hot water heater was still working as far as I know.

We had other things that had been turned on by that time, here is the part I think we are just novices and don't know about things yet.

Hot water heater
refrig
AC
kitchen lights
small fan in kitchen
radio inside and outside on
porch light and scare light on

When we checked the breaker box the breaker that was flipped was the one that goes to the convertor. No other breakers were flipped, and this was the same breaker that flipped when we camped last time with the cat in the Monty and only had the AC, refrig, and hot water heater on, when the AC turned off but the refrig was still working.

We have now turned off the hot water heater and will turn it back on when we need it. The refrig is now on propane. Hubby prefers to not run things on the propane, not sure why. I need to know if we are over loading things or if it might be the Montana. The same breaker, which is marked convertor is the one that keeps flipping.

Am I expecting too much out of the 50 amp service?

I appreciate any tips that we can try since we will only have two more days to test them out.

I might add the on AC did not freeze up and has done a fair job of cooling but not a great one in 104F temps. The Foil material in the windows has helped keep out heat in the Monty.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to be as detailed as possible.

Go ahead and throw the good news and bad news at me, that is how I will learn about doing this.

Thanks!
Colleen

[Thunderman]

Colleen,
I don't think the breaker should have tripped. I have used my Monty under similar situations without a problem. I have needed to put the refrigerator and or HW heater on propane when I was in a campground with LOW voltage.
I am sure you will get more good advice soon.

Weldon

Weldon and Carolyn
I.D.No. 920
2001 F-250 PSD, CC
2003 2955RL Montana

[Wrenchtraveller]

We have been on 30 amp service and ran as much as you have with never anything tripping.

Can you check the CG's power? If it is not the CG power, you may have an issue with your Montana's wiring. Good luck getting your problem resolved.

Don & Donna
Vancouver Island
2005 Ford F350 V10 Lariat CC 4x4 LB SRW 11200 GVWR
2006 Montana 2955RL
click on the little pic to see a big pic

[firetrucker]

A few thoughts...the refrigerator uses 12V for the electronics and the lights are also 12V. When the converter is off, the batteries must supply the voltage, and that will make the lights appear dimmer. If the batteries are low, that might be enough to make the refrigerator switch off. The converter could be off because of low voltage from the park, or a poor connection between the plug and the panel, especially if it was operating close to capacity. Voltage checks outside and inside the trailer should show up that problem.

Check the condition of the batteries (voltage and water level) and the battery connectors. Check the connections to and from the converter; loose connections seem to be the norm. If everything checks out ok, my guess would be the converter.

Bob

'99 Volvo / '05 3400RL
2 Shih Tzu guard dogs
1 lonely Siberian Husky

[Ozz]

I still think it is in the breaker box wiring; you really need to have it repaired, (as I know, you feel the same) the dim lights indicate a power loss due to a bad connection, power drain somewhere. Could be a bad buss bar connection, bad breaker, loose or bad wire connection. not an easy find, the fix should be super easy, just finding it. Come on over to Kansas City, we'll eat Gates BBQ, go to the Casino, and I'll try and fix your problem!
I wish you guys well, you have had your share of problems.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

[Charlie]

Ozz is thinking correctly about the problem, maybe just a loose wire somewhere, probably incoming for the converter. It may be loose at the bar or at where the 110V supply cord attaches to the trailer. If I were you I would take him up on the offer and have the Bar-B-Que. From his posts sounds like he is a competent electrician.

Charlie
2001 F-250 Lariat SC 4x2 LB 7.3L PSD
BD Power ECM 80 HP Performance Chip
BD Power X-Monitor LED Digital Gauges
Firestone Ride-Rite Air Bags
2005 3295RK

[sreigle]

With temperatures that high everyone's AC is running hard. Isn't it possible it was a low power problem from the park? It might be the Montana but peak power usage in the park could be the culprit also, right?

Colleen, the reason your husband probably prefers not to use propane is you are paying for the propane and you likely are not paying extra for the electricity unless you are on a monthly rate. My thinking matches your husband's. Meanwhile, you can run the water heater on propane only if you need to, even though you'll be paying for the propane. We've often done that because we have the older, less robust, electrical system and can pop breakers rather easily.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

[Cat320]

Driftwoodgal...wrote..."After setting up to the 50 amp, we had the hot water heater, AC, and refrig running without a problem."

Were you actually on and getting 50 amp service? If you were only getting 30 amp service, that could be all or part of the problem. Or, as sreigle said, due to everybody running their ACs, the park might not have been putting out correct power.

[JH Sechelt]

I agree with Firetrucker,

Sounds like a converter/Battery problem. When is the last time the water level in the Battery(s)checked?
If a cell in a battery is no good the converter would have to keep running and may over heat and trip
the breaker. Battery's are something we don't keep an eye on enough. But by all means look for a loose wire.
I would lean towards a bad breaker..a bad converter.. or a bad battery.

J&D




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[IMG]John & Dawn

Sunshine Coast, British Columbia
2006 2980RL &
2005 F350 Lariet, Crewcab
Shortbox Powerstroke 4X4

[Driftwoodgal]

Hi gang,

It is thanks to guys and gals like you, on this forum that, I think we have narrowed down our problem. We shall see if it is correct or not.

There was a service tech out working on a really expensive motor coach across from us. I had already talked to the manager of the RV park and he said no one had come to the office or complained about loss of power because of the campgrounds. I went over and introduced myselt to the owner of the motor coach and asked him if he had any problems with his power as he has been here since May 1st. He said "no and I have three 15000BTU AC 's running and a residential refrigerator on 50 amp power.

The service tech was working on this guys TV system and I asked him if he had time to answer a few questions for me. After he fixed the motor coach he climbed down and I explained what had happened last trip out and this time. He told me the same things that you did that I shouldn't have any problem with running all that I had on unless something was wrong with the battery. Bob checked the battery and one of the batteries was almost dry and the other one was ok but still needed some water. Well this would be a DUH moment for us as we didn't realize that we could run the batteries dry and have always kept the Monty plugged in to our well house at home. We will be getting a battery tester and will be replacing one or both if we need to when we get home.

No problems after adding water to the batteries, but we may have ruined them by letting them go dry.

I think we have establised that the second AC is going to be a must in summer Texas weather. But again the AC has been working pretty much non stop and hasn't frozen up.

Again thanks for the replies. Maybe you veteran RV's should start a Did you remember to do this list on the forum. Maybe it could be added to the home page .....save us newbies lots of money from the DUH moments.

Colleen

[mobilrvn]

One item every RVer should have is a meter to see what power you are getting from your shore power. There are lots of them out there for a few bucks. At one glance you can see what you have and if there is reverse polarity, etc. Just because the other guy in the CG has good power doesn't mean that you have good power. Cheap insurance for your electronics and then you aren't guessing as much.

MoBillTuxRex&Princess
Fulltiming since '93
'04 3575; '06 2500HD Duramax/Allison

[Driftwoodgal]

Mobilrvn,

I am slowly but surely getting a husband to pay attention to my suggestions about things that I read on the boards. He hates to get on the computer, I guess it is because when he works he sits in front of one for hours, so it is up to me to research.

When we were camping this weekend he mentioned we need to get a meter to check things....I think I mentioned that one to him at some point.

I really think the problem is our fault that we have kept a power source hooked up and have not used the battery disconnect. I have read about the battery disconnect but haven't put two and two together that it could hurt the battery, thus the batteries haven't been checked.

So many things that you need to learn about an RV. I just hate it when it cost you money for the mistakes you are just learning about.

Life is about learning new things. I wouldn't trade the sunrise and sunset views that we had this weekend for anything. It just puts life into a smaller scope of things....... we revolve around a sun in 24 hours, our little problems can be solved in a day. Some problems take a lot longer, health issues, the Rv problems just remind me that I don't know as much as I thought I did.

[MAMalody]

>>One item every RVer should have is a meter to see what power you are getting from your shore power. There are lots of them out there for a few bucks. At one glance you can see what you have and if there is reverse polarity, etc. Just because the other guy in the CG has good power doesn't mean that you have good power. Cheap insurance for your electronics and then you aren't guessing as much.