DC Power Outlet Problem

[wecker1]

Prepping for our annual 4-5 month journey north and discovered that we have no power at any of the outlets when on battery. The ceiling lights work but no power at the outlets. If I turn the inverter on the fridge runs but still no power to any of the other outlets.

Everything works fine when on shore power.

The GFI outlet in the bathroom seems to only work on shore power, is this correct?

My fuse/breaker panel inside has a CB label for "Kitchen GFI" but there's no GFI visible in the kitchen? The only GFI that I have seen is in the bathroom.

The inverter was upgraded in 2020 to a Magnum Dimensions CSW2012 from a CSW1012, and appears to be working properly but it does draw the AGM batteries down from 12.89 to a 12.45 within about 30 seconds. Is this normal? On shore power the inverter reads 13.30 and and ultimately 12.45 on battery. The output light on the inverter is lit on both shore and battery power.

I've checked for loose wires, none. Ensured that both disconnect switches are in their correct positions. Checked fuses and breakers, no visible issues.

On a side note, in looking for solutions to the above problem, I noticed that my Lippert Dual Motor Synchronous Velocity Slide Controllers were flashing the #9 code (9 red -1 green flashing lights). Pulled slides in and leveled RV and flashing lights went out??

Any advice that you can provide regarding the outlet issue will be greatly appreciated.

Much thanks!

 

[twindman]

Are you sure the switch in the control bay outside is turned the right way? Many (including myself) have tracked it down to just not having turned right. In my case, it seems the dealer always turns it off when working on the rig (and I forgot this).

 

[wecker1]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, the switch above/behind the battery is horizontal showing green and the switch in the convenience bay is on (can't be removed).

 

[twindman]

The switch I was talking about is in the area on the side of the rig with the water intake connections. I am pretty sure they still have this on all models.

 

[RMcNeal]

On my 2019 rig, the only inverted outlet is for the fridge. Are you sure there are more inverted outlets on your 2017 model? I have heard some of the newer ones have several inverted outlets, but mine does not. Refrigerator only.

 

[wecker1]

Twindman - yes, that switch is engaged and can not be removed.

Robert - I'm not sure that there is another outlet in the kitchen but my fuse/circuit breaker panel has a breaker switch labeled as "GFI Kitchen". I've looked everywhere and can not find a GFI outlet in the kitchen. Didn't know if I was missing it somewhere? The only GFI I can find on the entire RV is in the bathroom. There are a couple of outlets that have a small sticker that says "controlled by GFI" or something of that nature.

 

[RMcNeal]

I was referring to the inverted outlets. Some of the newer rigs have additional inverted outlets, but mine, and I suspect yours, only have the outlet for the refrigerator on the inverter.
Any outlets in a wet area such as outside, in the basement or bathroom or near the kitchen sink should be on GFCI circuit, but they will not have power unless you are connected to shore power. The inverter will make 120vac from your battery to supply the fridge with power.
My rig only has a GFCI outlet in the bathroom as well. The outlet on the side of the island has a sticker that says "Controlled by GFCI" on it, so I am guessing it is downstream from the bathroom outlet.

 

[wecker1]

Ok, we've never boondocked and have always run off shore power or generator, so..., let me ask what might be a stupid question. Am I wrong in thinking that a non-inverted outlet will provide power running off battery power?

 

[RMcNeal]

Just the opposite. Inverted outlets will run off battery or shore power, non-inverted will only use shore power. For the inverted outlets, there should be an automatic change over to use shore power when available, OR battery/inverter power when shore power is not available. Mine is mounted on the ceiling of the basement right next to the inverter and has a cord which plugs into the inverter's outlet.

 

[wecker1]

Ok so worded differently but i think that we're saying the same thing. Non-inverted outlets run only on shore power, inverted can run on either shore or battery, correct?

 

[RMcNeal]

That's correct. Additionally, you can prevent them from running on battery by either turning off the inverter, or turning off the battery cut-off switch that goes to the inverter. My battery cut-off is on the wall above the battery box in the front compartment. It's separate from the red key in the wet bay.

 

[wecker1]

Immense thanks for the education. This MOC is invaluable!!

 

[RMcNeal]

Glad to help. I've learned more from the MOC than I ever cared to know about these Montana's.

 

[Rene T]

Prepping for our annual 4-5 month journey north and discovered that we have no power at any of the outlets when on battery. The ceiling lights work but no power at the outlets. If I turn the inverter on the fridge runs but still no power to any of the other outlets.

Everything works fine when on shore power.

The GFI outlet in the bathroom seems to only work on shore power, is this correct?

My fuse/breaker panel inside has a CB label for "Kitchen GFI" but there's no GFI visible in the kitchen? The only GFI that I have seen is in the bathroom.

The inverter was upgraded in 2020 to a Magnum Dimensions CSW2012 from a CSW1012, and appears to be working properly but it does draw the AGM batteries down from 12.89 to a 12.45 within about 30 seconds. Is this normal? On shore power the inverter reads 13.30 and and ultimately 12.45 on battery. The output light on the inverter is lit on both shore and battery power.

I've checked for loose wires, none. Ensured that both disconnect switches are in their correct positions. Checked fuses and breakers, no visible issues.

On a side note, in looking for solutions to the above problem, I noticed that my Lippert Dual Motor Synchronous Velocity Slide Controllers were flashing the #9 code (9 red -1 green flashing lights). Pulled slides in and leveled RV and flashing lights went out??

Any advice that you can provide regarding the outlet issue will be greatly appreciated.

Much thanks!

Just so you know, the ceiling lights are powered by 12 volt DC and the outlets are powered by 110 volt AC. Two different systems.
When on shore power, test the GFCI in the bathroom by pushing the test button. Now check your kitchen outlets for 110 volt AC power. If you still have power with the bathroom GFCI tripped, you have another one someplace. You have to have the outlets in the kitchen on a GFCI circuit by code.