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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
Yes, all problems solved and everything turned over to the new owner with full explanation about turning off the inverter when not using TV, microwave, or cooktop. That was helpful and I wish I had known that when I purchased it.
It was weird they tested the old battery and said it was good. They also said that the inverter was set to wet instead of AGM. But I know it had been on AGM at some point. Ah well, all is well now.
I loved that vehicle but it was so fancy it made me nervous about anything happening to it and my husband had zero buy in. Biggest impulse purchase I ever made! Didn’t lose money on it, so it’s a win win. We had a great 9 months with it and took a fabulous family trip up the East Coast. No regrets. And now there is Outdoorsy to rent som awesome RVs.
Thanks again for your help!
Kakhi
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Sprintervanmom
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02/04/22 10:02am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
I’m sorry to frustrate you to the extreme, Doug. I did spend $1700 replacing the battery. It took time to find the battery because you encouraged me to get lifeline and I did hunt it down. They had to go through a third party to find the lifeline battery and I had to pay for it before it was installed. When they took the other battery down they said it was actually still good. Oh well.
I am selling the vehicle tomorrow though and after running the inverter with the TV for over an hour and boiling some water my issue is solved. I’m happy for the new owner. Thanks again for you help and sorry to cause you trouble.
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Sprintervanmom
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02/03/22 03:30pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
I may end up having to go with a different battery after all (and save the $$). Buying it online is $820 plus $300 for shipping (if they can get it). A service center here thought they could get one for $890 but when she called back they gave her a new higher price and parts girl has to it track down again. Hmmmm.
If I go with the different battery I hope it will not be a big deal to reprogram the inverter as Doug pointed out.
I’ve concluded that my main issue is that the inverter drains my battery in less than an hour (maybe like 20 minutes or less) and turning on the ignition is not enough to juice up the battery to run the inverter again without error messages blaring (again, my kids trying to watch TV). I should get more then 20 minutes to an hour of inverter running right!? With the solar too?
When I start getting the error messages, I can run the generator to get it to a reasonable level and then the kids can watch Minions in silence all the way home. To sell it in good conscience I am going to replace the battery and pray this allows me to run the inverter without rapidly draining the battery.
Thanks again Doug and GritDog.
I am selling this because my husband has no interest in it and all the service and issues fall on me. It’s too expensive to have as something that just me and the kids like. I wish he liked it more, but he would rather travel and vacation other ways.
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Sprintervanmom
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01/13/22 08:08pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
Good point! I’m going with the RV service center to replace this rather than my mobile tech since shipping cost $300 if i was going to buy the battery myself online and have him replace it. It’s good they will have more than one tech on hand to change this out.
Can I ask another question: the inverter control panel and solar control panel both seem to be reporting the voltage the battery is receiving and their numbers are always close to each other. When the chassis battery is running, I’m getting a reading of 12.7-12.9. Is that high enough? Hoping when I replace the coach battery my chassis battery will give it enough juice to be able to run the TV (and inverter). As of now, I get lots of beeping and error messages when running the TV and inverter driving down the road, especially when I didn’t have it plugged into shore power before the trip or I had the inverter on for a bit to run the TV. It seems for now I need to be plugged in, have a fully charged battery, or have the genSet on to successfully run any of the systems used by the inverter (TV, microwave, and induction cooktop). Praying this new battery solves this. I have listed this beautiful vehicle and I want to be able to tell the next owner with confidence that it has absolutely no issues (I will tell them about this and how it is fixed).
Thanks again, Doug!
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Sprintervanmom
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01/12/22 05:53pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
Like the 8D pic.
It is under the back bumper.
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Sprintervanmom
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01/12/22 02:27pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
I definitely have the one I shared. I got that model number GPL-8DL off the battery itself and it is shaped like the picture you sent. 12V 255 amp
I have the American coach Patriot (with a Midwest manual) the seller listed it as a Midwest for the titling.
I’ve found someone that can get this battery in in 2 weeks. Doug, you think I should definitely go with this brand over something less and more readily available? Does this battery be replaced anyway since it’s been since 2018? I’m just hoping my issue is not something else with the inverter or the chassis battery charging the coach battery. I do think it’s the battery though.
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Sprintervanmom
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01/12/22 10:24am |
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
The battery is Lifeline GPL-8DL AGM Sealed Battery 12V 255Ah
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Sprintervanmom
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01/11/22 07:59pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
@grit dog Doug said that I should go with Lifeline because they are the best and that if I get a different brand the inverter will have to be programmed for that battery. I don’t want to compromise when the quality of this vehicle is high. If it doesn’t matter, I would love to go for a less expensive battery, but it sounds like it matters.
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Sprintervanmom
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01/11/22 07:57pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
Doug, you are the best! Thank you for sticking with me.
I have not replaced the battery but I am trying. Local RV Servicrs around here do not carry lifeline. I think I will order one online (any recommendations on where to buy one from) and then I will have by RV Tech guy install it.
I am in the RV. Engine Off, Unplugged from shore power, GenSet Off and I flip the Battery disconnect ON and the inverter panel lights up and yes, my microwave clock and Blue-ray player are on. So that means the interverter is on and the display in on as well. When I turn the inverter off at the panel, the microwave and DVD go off.
I do not see a switch for battery disconnect to the left of steering wheel. just a panel with a lightening bolt I can open to fuses. there is a button to the left of steering when that is an n with a circle of arrow around it. No idea why that it.
I just confirmed that I turned the GenSet on and about 10 seconds later, the inverter turns on and reads "bul" for bulk charging. when I try to turn it off at the panel it does not turn off and the microwave clock and blue-ray and induction are lit up. I guess that means it is fine to have it one with the generator.
when I turn the engine on, the Inverter panel (and Blu-Ray, Induction, and Microwave clock) do not light up.
my next step is to replace my coach battery, and always keep the inverter off unless I need it or it is on when plugged in and when generator is on.
also, when I plug into shore power the inverter panel (and Blu-Ray, Induction, and Microwave clock) come on and say "bul" and I can't turn it off.
Hoping replacing the coach battery (when I can get my hands on one!) will solve all the E1 and E5 error messages I get when battery is not fully charged (I have no issues then or when plugged in to shore power). and I will only have inverter on when it turns itself on or I must use it.
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Sprintervanmom
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01/11/22 12:45pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
This may be a stupid question, but when the interest control panel is on, does that mean the inverter is on? The inverter turns on automatically when I flip on the battery switch and when I start the generator. So I should turn it off in both those cases? Also, I think when I turn the inverter off (hold the off button on the control panel), while the generator is running, I think it turns itself back on?
Thanks again, friend!
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Sprintervanmom
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01/11/22 09:32am |
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
Thank you so much Doug!!!
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Sprintervanmom
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12/30/21 05:27am |
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
This is very helpful! I am going to print this out and put it by my inverter controller!
Soooo, I only need the inverter on when using the microwave, cooktop and TV when I am not using shore power or using the generator? Any other time?
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Sprintervanmom
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12/27/21 06:13pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
HI again Doug,
I am still strongly considering getting the coach/house battery replaced. It is under the back bumper and it is a Lifeline GPL-8DL. Looks like the battery itself will be around $800 plus the cost of someone changing it out for me.
Before I go that route though, my RV tech guy suggested that my battery might be draining faster than expected because I am leaving the inverter on and that is draining my battery quickly. He said that I only need to turn the inverter on when I use my microwave, induction cooktop, and possibly my TV (he couldn't remember if it is 110 or 12V). Is that correct? Could that be my issue.
He warned that because I have drained my battery so many times because I leave the inverter on (which is what the RV center I bought the vehicle from told me to do), it may be time for a new battery anyway.
Thanks again for your thoughts!
Kakhi
Just went back thru the previous threads. If you have NOT replaced the Coach Lifeline batteries, GET THEM REPLACED. No if ands or buts. Once Lifelines go dead, they are BAD. PERIOD. From your previous posts, the batteries HAVE at times been dead. Lifelines are NOT cheap, BUT they are the BEST batteries for your application and will last years if not allowed to go dead. If you go to another brand AGM battery, you will have to reprogram your Inverter/Charger to correctly charge other brand AGM batteries. Your Inverter/Charger was programmed by Midwest to correctly charge Lifeline brand batteries. Doug
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Sprintervanmom
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12/27/21 02:29pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
My generator is running my AC fine now...Can you see my recent question about what it is realistic to do when boon docking because it basically seems like I can do hardly anything power related without the power kicking off (E1 messages on the Xantrex Inverter). When the battery is fully charged after being plugged into AC all seem to go well. But for example the other day, the battery was not charged, but I could not get the awning to open, even after driving for 20 minutes and running the generator. baffling battery issues for sure.
When you turn on the generator and the AC, the battery gradually loses power (I can watch the voltage dropping) and then the inverter starts giving e1 and e5 error messages and then the voltage drops low enough to shut of the thermostat to the AC.
While not an expert on your particular rv, I have yet to see a RV that the engine alternator does not charge the house batteries underway.
So that's weird, but not your real issue.
The generator should power the Air Con and all other AC outlets/appliances like your microwave as well as charge your house batteries through the converter.
You mention inverter. I doubt your inverter is wired to power a AC (it could be though), but the genny should be the primary source of power.
Do all your other AC appurtenances work?
Oh, and your tech could simply pull a charge lead off your start battery or another power center on the vehicle, through an ACR (auto charging relay) straight to the house batteries. No fooling with electrical systems needed.
If you actually mean inverter, sounds like it IS doing its best to run the AC and battery dies quickly (expected) and your generator isn't working.
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Sprintervanmom
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12/21/21 02:56pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Power issues 2018 AmericanCoach MidwestPatriot
Hi Doug, Wondering if you can consult with me again! SO it was a burned out solenoid! So now everything runs much better because we can get power from running the engine! Relief! and magically the generator ran the AC for 5 hours the other day with no issues!
Now my question is, what should I expect from the battery? Should I be able to run the microwave for 2 minutes if I have a fully charged battery (plugged it in over night and then drove 45 minutes to our destination0...Then tried to run the microwave and I get e1 error messages on the inverter panel and it kicks off the power. Is it unrealistic to do much when not using generator, plugged in, or running the engine (praise the lord that now works!).
I'm afraid I have power issues and don't know what do to about them. The Awning won't open at times, plug in some Christmas lights for the kids and the battery is drained.
What is realistic to do when boon docking? Trying to figure out if I have an issue or my expectations are off.
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Sprintervanmom
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12/21/21 02:50pm |
Tech Issues
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