Main power switch problem

[Hawkmaster]

Hi all,
Before winterizing and prepping for winter, i wanted to bring the 2021 Alante
27a in for a tire rotation and oil change. As usual i shut off main power, unplugged from shore power and was on my way to the Ford dealership.
Picked it up about a week later got it home, plugged into shore power and turned on the switch. The light did'nt come on and i had no power to anything
that was run on 12 volts, no lights, no fridge or furnace. But microwave would come on and i had 120 volts at all outlets. After some research ithought it might be the converter.
After a couple of days i went out to see what kind of issues i mght have replacing it. Turned on the switch and everything is working fine,I talked with Progressive Dynamics about the issue( i have been in contact with them since lithium and solar install about 6 months ago) and was told to note the problem and see if it happens again.
I decide to winterize, turn off the switch and unplug from shore power, now the switch stays on and wont shut off. Checked it with a continuity tester and switch is fine. Where should i look next ?
Thanks Pete

 

[JimD]

Solenoid could be in a lock out condition due to holding the switch in too long.

 

[Hawkmaster]

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the reply. I disconnected the positive and negative cables from the coach batteries, cleaned up the batterys and connections, verified i had no power in the mh, then reattached.
I went to check power and main light and power is on, still won't shut off. Any other ideas i can check ? I'd rather not bring it to an rv dealer.
Thanks Pete

 

[vicfreg]

On my Precept, the main power switch is touchy.
If I hold it too long it does not shut off. I have to just touch it quickly.
Vic

 

[johnsat]

I had this same problem on my 2021 36h. I replaced the main power solenoid and that fixed the issue.

 

[Hawkmaster]

Hi Johnsat.
Thanks for info, can you tell me where the main power solenoid is located
or what it looks like.
Thanks Pete

 

[Kevin Cooper]

Usually black. Normally near the battery and has a positive off the battery running to it.
https://a.co/d/8d5DoWB

 

[johnsat]

Mine is in the battery compartment.

 

[Hawkmaster]

Thanks for the pics, located it easily. Mine is the same exact model that
Johnsat has. Found a new one on ebay for $66, should be here on Friday
and will install next weekend. Let you know how i make out.
Thanks Pete

 

[Kevin Cooper]

Thanks for the pics, located it easily. Mine is the same exact model that
Johnsat has. Found a new one on ebay for $66, should be here on Friday
and will install next weekend. Let you know how i make out.
Thanks Pete

So, you checked the fuses and the voltages at all the points and proved that the contactor or solenoid was bad. Correct?

 

[Hawkmaster]

Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the interest. I did think about it when i first located the switch.
With my very limited electrical experience, i did some research on how to test it and was a bit overwhelmed. After Johnsat said he had the same problem with the same exact part and the reasonably cheap price, it also looks like an easy change out. I decided to just replace it.
I would appreciate any kind of advice you can give, I'm a pretty handy guy with most tools and a multi meter( with somewhat of an understanding of how to use it) Electrical has allways been a weak point of mine. Still learning though.
Thanks Pete

 

[Kevin Cooper]

Ok this is a mostly mechanical thing that just happens to have electricity. When you activate the switch, you are either putting 12vdc to the smaller two wires. So, with a multimeter, connect one lead to either negative on the battery or to metal frame. Check both of the small screws for voltage. Could be both with power or without power. Then check the two larger ones. One should have volts and the other should or should not have power. Then change the switch, there should be a click, and see what changes.
If you have no voltage anywhere on the small conductors, you have a blown fuse. If you have voltage on them and it clicks, then see if the voltage on the large conductors changed. If one side has and the other does not, then the contactor is not closing and defective.