Battery and tank monitor panel dead
 

Hi,

Just picked up an '86 Fun(Chaser I think) this weekend and am getting everything up and running. Most of the basics seem to be decent; would love to get this monitor panel working. Right now it is entirely dead, no response. The pump switch does work, however the light behind the switch does not. None of the other gauges work.

I'm thinking it is the board and that'll be tough to get but are there any suggestions about how to diagnose?


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_u...0/IMAG0100.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_u...0/IMAG0099.jpg

Does your trailer have a Master Switch, next to the lift switch and is the top part pushed? Not all Hi-Lo s had a master switch.
Also look for a fuse in the fuse panel or box.
It could also be a bad ground. check for +12 volts to the panel.

Thanks for the advice. I do not recall a master switch (everything's on). And I've not yet seen a fuse panel (assuming that's a 12v automotive style fuse panel you're referring to?) I'm aware of the breaker box.

Any suggestions on where to look for the 12V panel? I just remembered I have a 12V test lamp that I'll get out and probe the board with.

Thanks

There should be a 12V fue panel in the battery compartment along with some relays.

Finally found it. I had to remove the faceplate for the power inverter. Found a bad fuse and replaced; board now works!

Now I need to figure out why my battery is dead after days on 120V. It's either not being charged, not taking a charge, or somehow being drained.

I'm trickle charging it now, will see if it takes and try again.

Getting your funchaser up and running
 

Just want to give some encouragement. You will solve all the sm. problems with your HiLo. The guys on the forum are great with electrical problems. Many of us owners have Older HiLos. Sam

Moose,

Could be that your battery is just bad. Take it to a battery specialist... most will test it for free.

Jim

Thanks Sam! Slowly but surely I'm figuring it out. Will know in the AM how the battery is doing (it's been taking about 4-5A for 6 hours now). We bought it knowing it would be less than perfect. We wanted a cash deal and the ability to get out if things didn't work out. Our first camp last night was a lot of fun and looking to do a lot more of it.

The big things to figure out now are the battery, and the furnace motor (squeals like crazy). We're in for 5 new tires and 4 wheel bearings - but everything else seems to be functional and we don't need to worry about getting from point A to point B which is important!

The OEM battery in our Hi-Lo failed on it's first trip. I think it had been deeply discharged in the dealer's lot, so it was damaged when we bought it. NO battery likes to be deeply discharged (and that includes Ni-Cads, in my opinion).

- Jack