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Old 07-26-2020, 05:43 PM   #1
Foregolfdog
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Electrical Problems

We have a 2013 Montana 3625RE. GREAT 5TH WHEEL. Developed a problem with the electrical end. Everything works when shore line is hooked up, with the exception of the slides. NOTHING works when the shore line is disconnected. Battery disconnect is in the ON position (key cannot be removed). Any suggestions on what the problem might be? Battery is less than 6months old, and shows 11.9 volts.
 
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Old 07-26-2020, 05:50 PM   #2
Carl n Susan
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If the battery is at 11.9 (aka dead) then it likely isn't being charged. I assume this measurement was taken with power attached. A definite sign the converter has either failed or the reverse polarity fuses are blown due to hooking up the "less than 6 months old battery". Check the converter's output - it should be around 13.6V. Look at the four fuses and ensure they are ok.
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Old 07-26-2020, 05:58 PM   #3
Daryles
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Here we go again. The twist on this one is the hydraulic slides DONT work on shore power.
The hydraulic motor requires a LOT of amps to run. The converter does not put out enough, it needs the battery high CCA to run.
Troubleshooting...
No DC power. Shore power good.
Take a multimeter. On shore power, check each post of your 50A self resetting circuit breakers near your batteries. They should all read the same (about 12.4vdc).
Now remove shore power. Check them again.
Which ever one is NOT showing 12vdc on the post, it is bad. Replace it.
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Old 07-26-2020, 06:06 PM   #4
Foregolfdog
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Battery Protection Fuses are all good. Did notice one of the fans on the converter is not running. Could it be the converter? Can't find any fuses on the converter.
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Old 07-26-2020, 06:20 PM   #5
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What is the output voltage from the converter? It should be in the 13.6V range.

As Daryles wrote above, check the voltage at the 50 amp self resetting circuit breakers (CB) on the wall behind the batteries. With shore power plugged in, you should see 13.6V on one side of the CB if the converter is working. The other side should show the same voltage. If the battery is at 11.9V with shore power and one side of the CB is 13.6V then you have found the problem (most likely the left CB
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Old 07-26-2020, 07:52 PM   #6
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Ok, here is what I found. The left CB, which is connected to the hydraulic pump, showed 11.9v on the right post, but zero on the left post. The right CB showed 11.9v on both posts.
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Old 07-26-2020, 07:59 PM   #7
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That’s the problem. Probably a 50 amp breaker. Should be marked on the side. Many have replaced them with 80 amp. But as a temp fix you can buy a 50 at an auto parts store and replace that one. They are cheap, both in price and construction.
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Old 07-26-2020, 08:02 PM   #8
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I assume this is without shore power. The problem is the left CB is shot. It is best to replace it with an 80 amp one but an easy to find 50 will do the trick until you get the 80. In a pinch, you can jump the breaker in order to get the battery charged.
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Old 07-26-2020, 09:18 PM   #9
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Replace the breaker with a 50 A.
Search this forum for
80A Hydraulic circuit breaker
You will find previous posts with part number and pictures.
Lippert put out a TSB (technical service bulletin) about replacing the 50A with an 80A.
There is also info in the files section of the forum

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums/downloads.php?do=cat&id=3
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Old 07-27-2020, 06:17 PM   #10
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Ok. Been working on it all day. Left CB changed and same voltage across all 4 post on the 2 CBs. Battery check shows approx. 13.7v with and without battery disconnected, and with and without shoreline. Hydraulic motor runs and works jacks, but not slides. Hydraulic tank is about halfway full. Any suggestions? Scratching my head.
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Old 07-27-2020, 08:03 PM   #11
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I am assuming you have the Level Up system that runs the jacks and the slides?


If, there are several possible causes for a failure to extend.


o - There are knobs in the panel with the Level Up controls which can "lock out" individual slides. Ensure they are all rotated counter clockwise. This is the position that allows them to move.

o - Do you have a remote control for the slides, jacks, awning, light, etc? You may not have it in your possession but others have had issues in the past with the "brain" (located in the front compartment on the rear wall) not allowing the switches to work. It usually affects all the functions but maybe not in your case.

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46515


o - Do you hear anything at the pump or solenoid when someone presses the slide in/out switch? Is there 12V at the switch?
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Old 07-27-2020, 10:12 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foregolfdog View Post
Ok. Been working on it all day. Left CB changed and same voltage across all 4 post on the 2 CBs. Battery check shows approx. 13.7v with and without battery disconnected, and with and without shoreline. Hydraulic motor runs and works jacks, but not slides. Hydraulic tank is about halfway full. Any suggestions? Scratching my head.
So are you back to square 1?
Everything works on shore power but slides do NOT work on battery power?
Hydraulic jacks work on both?

Picture shows my hydraulic fluid level with jacks and slides extended.
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Old 08-02-2020, 03:33 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foregolfdog View Post
We have a 2013 Montana 3625RE. GREAT 5TH WHEEL. Developed a problem with the electrical end. Everything works when shore line is hooked up, with the exception of the slides. NOTHING works when the shore line is disconnected. Battery disconnect is in the ON position (key cannot be removed). Any suggestions on what the problem might be? Battery is less than 6months old, and shows 11.9 volts.
The battery is dead.
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Old 08-02-2020, 04:43 PM   #14
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Low voltage/current. I have 2 6V Trojans (golf cart batteries). The other option is 2 12V deep charge marine batteries. Most people go with battery 2 size 24 (that's size, not voltage) or 2 6V deep charge batteries. One battery just doesn't hack it on large units.
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Old 08-02-2020, 04:51 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by StageCoachDriver View Post
Low voltage/current. I have 2 6V Trojans (golf cart batteries). The other option is 2 12V deep charge marine batteries. Most people go with battery 2 size 24 (that's size, not voltage) or 2 6V deep charge batteries. One battery just doesn't hack it on large units.
NO NO NO, marine batteries are NOT true deep discharge. The Trojan's you have are. If the battery has the word crank on it anywhere it is NOT a deep discharge battery. They are built entirely differently.
Also upgrade the breaker for the hydraulics to 80 amps. I installed a conventional rather than self-resetting made for marine use, Blue Seas I think.
Lots of good advice has been given here, the batteries are dead, need a new breaker, true deep discharge batteries (Trojan T105's).
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