Lost 12 Volt to Levelers and steps - Seneca 37 RB

[Longtimenosea]

Hello All,

Seemingly overnight, I have no steps or leveler function unless I am plugged into shore power or have the generator running.

Additionally, when I start the engine, I get warning alarms from the leveler control panel warning me of low voltage and indicating the pads are down, even though they aren't.

Also, if steps were extended when I unplugged from shore power to hit the road, steps do not retract when engine is started. To remedy, I must shut down the engine, start the generator, flip the steps switch to on, and shut the door. Only then will stairs retract.

Does anyone know of a 12 fuse or breaker for the levelers/stairs? I've checked the fuse panel in the bedroom but see nothing for steps/ levelers. Is it the engine battery that powers these two functions?

All meter indications are that both batteries are fully charged, 13 plus volts.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed light on my problem or maybe steer me in the right direction.

steve

[Robbbyr]

On my 2014 TS the steps and levelers are powered by my chassis batteries. On top of the batteries, accessed via the panel by the driver's door, there were a couple of small 12-volt post-style circuit breakers mounted to the chassis battery's hold-down bracket.

I am wondering if you have some type of corrosion, broken wire, or bad breaker in that area? Are the chassis batteries starting the engine okay?

[Longtimenosea]

Thanks for your quick reply Rob. I will check the chassis battery area at first light tomorrow and will post a result.

steve

[Robbbyr]

I was inspecting my chassis batteries earlier this year and things were starting to look "marginal" in my opinion. Although under the cab, you still can get road spray up there. So I took things apart, cleaned up all the connections, replaced some "iffy looking" connectors, and then sprayed the connections with battery terminal protection spray to (hopefully) keep things reliable.

Hope it is a simple thing!

Rob

[McGintys924]

On top Of the chassis batteries is a little breaker, just reach in there and reset the breaker.
Chassis batteries are under the drivers seat behind a panel.

[curbhugger]

Try resetting the breaker @ Chassis batteries....as described above.
2017 37FS

[Longtimenosea]

Originally Posted by Robbbyr

On my 2014 TS the steps and levelers are powered by my chassis batteries. On top of the batteries, accessed via the panel by the driver's door, there were a couple of small 12-volt post-style circuit breakers mounted to the chassis battery's hold-down bracket.

I am wondering if you have some type of corrosion, broken wire, or bad breaker in that area? Are the chassis batteries starting the engine okay?

Presto!! There was indeed a flipped breaker on the chassis battery. Resetti g it seems to have solved the issue. Hopefully the breaker is still good and won't trip again.

[Longtimenosea]

Presto!! There was indeed a tripped breaker on the chassis battery.

Thanks again for your quick reply Rob, and also thanks to others who also replied with similar advice.

[Robbbyr]

Glad it was that simple. Too bad the breaker isn't in a spot more accessible and that you have to pop the battery cover off. But you want the fuse/breaker close to the power source to protect the wiring run. Oh well!

[Crossingover]

Originally Posted by Robbbyr

So I took things apart, cleaned up all the connections, replaced some "iffy looking" connectors, and then sprayed the connections with battery terminal protection spray to (hopefully) keep things reliable.

You must have a surgeon's hands cause I could barely reach to the rear battery to clean and coat the connections. I assume there is enough slack in the cables so you can remove the fore battery and slide the aft battery foreword for better access. Hope I never have to replace them!

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by Crossingover

You must have a surgeon's hands cause I could barely reach to the rear battery to clean and coat the connections. I assume there is enough slack in the cables so you can remove the fore battery and slide the aft battery foreword for better access. Hope I never have to replace them!

I had the driver's side step off giving me a little better access. Even then it had its challenges!

[McGintys924]

That same thing happened to me on the way to the Hershey RV show and i didn't get it figured out until we got back and I could work with the RV. Interestingly, the steps and levelers would work after the ignition was off for 10/15 min. Once I reset that breaker everything has been fine since.

It's usually always what Rob says; I think he told me how to fix it when I had the problem too!