Recent Posts

41

Technical Support / Inverter seems to be stuck in Bulk Charge mode

« Last post by Ante Peros on April 23, 2026, 04:04:30 AM »

We have had our 2008 Beaver Patriot Thunder (Brandywine) in storage since March and decided to take her out for a bit and do some preventive maintenance and enjoy a bit of time away. We arrived and plugged into shore power and continued to set up and enjoy the day. An hour or so later we noticed a clicking noise and checked the passenger side bay with the inverter. One of the AGS lights was flashing red  and the other was green. The inverter seemed very warm. We checked the Magnum board and it was showing fault. We pushed the inverter button and the program went into Bulk charging and we thought we were back in business. Then the microwave, refrigerator, and plugs went off for a few minutes and then back on. We have tried putting the Magnum in standby charge and it then goes into bulk charge until it passes 14.1 and the power to those appliances goes off and we start over in bulk charge at 13.2 until it reaches 14.2 again and then the appliances shut off and we start again. It will not go into absorption mode. Does anyone have any ideas for us? Ante and Ginny Peros

42

Technical Support / Re: Motor shuts off while driving

« Last post by Fred Cook on April 23, 2026, 01:23:11 AM »

Our 2001 Patriot Thunder with a CAT C-12 had this problem a few years back. Engine would occasionally just shut off. Would restart when key turned off and back on until it happened on I5 where we pulled over to the shoulder and before we could turn the key off/on, the engine just restarted. We took the coach to Bakersfield CAT. The engine died in the parking lot and would NOT restart. The CAT crew was very knowledgeable. They isolated the engine from the rest of the coach after checking the batteries. The engine started remotely with no problem so they reversed the isolation of the engine. They did locate the problem in the front wiring compartment with the main solenoid. Since they didn't have the correct part, one of the techs drove to NAPA Auto Parts to get a new solenoid and installed it. We have not had any further problems. We decided that a 21 year old solenoid had probably done its duty.

Thanks Rosemary. As it turns out, my problem was the ignition relay switch inside the rear run box. I took the circuit board off and had it refurbished along with a new relay. So far…. all is good.

43

Technical Support / Re: SMC Leveling System Brain Zeroing

« Last post by Fred Brooks on April 23, 2026, 12:09:36 AM »

  Rosemary,
On the forum home page click on technical and scroll down to coach assist, scroll down to Leveling Systems and click on SMC leveling and it explains how to zero out the leveling sensor, Fred

44

Technical Support / SMC Leveling System Brain Zeroing

« Last post by Rosemary Allen on April 22, 2026, 11:16:43 PM »

While reading some previous posts regarding the SMC Leveling system, I noted a post from Jerry and Kay Hudson with a comment about "zeroing" the brain. We are having problems with our system where it will not level properly. It always believes that the front and left side are down so will only try to level those 2 positions. It never believes that the rear is down which it is right now so we cannot get the coach leveled even closely.

Does anyone know how to "zero" the brain so we can try to get it to read the level of the coach properly? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as it is difficult to sleep when your head is down. Thank you in advance.

45

Technical Support / Re: Motor shuts off while driving

« Last post by Rosemary Allen on April 22, 2026, 11:09:33 PM »

Our 2001 Patriot Thunder with a CAT C-12 had this problem a few years back. Engine would occasionally just shut off. Would restart when key turned off and back on until it happened on I5 where we pulled over to the shoulder and before we could turn the key off/on, the engine just restarted. We took the coach to Bakersfield CAT. The engine died in the parking lot and would NOT restart. The CAT crew was very knowledgeable. They isolated the engine from the rest of the coach after checking the batteries. The engine started remotely with no problem so they reversed the isolation of the engine. They did locate the problem in the front wiring compartment with the main solenoid. Since they didn't have the correct part, one of the techs drove to NAPA Auto Parts to get a new solenoid and installed it. We have not had any further problems. We decided that a 21 year old solenoid had probably done its duty.

46

Technical Support / Re: Marker light and tail light fuse keeps blowing

« Last post by mike schott on April 22, 2026, 05:00:49 AM »

Thank you Joel.  I’m going to inspect them this weekend. I really appreciate everyone’s feedback and advice. This was my first time asking for some help with an issue on my motorhome, and I’m really glad I asked. Having the support and recommendations from others is great to have. So glad I reached out to you all.

Thanks again
Mike

47

Technical Support / Re: Cruise control inconsistent

« Last post by Bryan Beamon on April 22, 2026, 12:12:58 AM »

Thanks Steve, will try what you suggested

48

Technical Support / Re: Solar panel. Charge controller

« Last post by Randy Keaveny on April 21, 2026, 05:20:54 PM »

Thanks so much for the info.   I dont know that much about solar.   so am learning on the fly.  we purchased remote property here in Sitka AK.  and are going solar   so im learning as we go.  then it dawned on me. that the solar on my motorhome is the same. only in a sunnier place. lol.  and my batts keep on draining.  even the new ones.    not blaming the charge controller.  but. thats where I am starting.   

ill have to follow those wires from the top.  down thru the engine room.  but pretty sure they go right into the batt compartment which holds starting and. house batts


thanks for the info

Randy

49

Technical Support / Re: Marker light and tail light fuse keeps blowing

« Last post by Joel Ashley on April 21, 2026, 06:16:30 AM »

I’ll back up Frank’s suggestion.  Water intrusion into the taillight assembly can cause advanced corrosion, or a pinched wire over time may have worn and found a nearby ground.  It’s been too many years, but seems I had a similar issue decades ago, and attending to one of the taillight assemblies, wires, or lamp(s) resolved it.   Keeping water out and/or providing condensation a clean route out are advisable. As Eric notes, the trailer outlet wires also often are the problem.

Joel

50

Technical Support / Re: Solar panel. Charge controller

« Last post by Joel Ashley on April 21, 2026, 05:58:05 AM »

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073ZJ3L13/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_5?smid=AMVRK92LFYKXB&th=1