The power in the cabin is completely shut down - please help

[freddyzuru]

Hello all!

The entire cabin of my 2017 Airstream Interstate sprinter is not turning on at all. The inverter only says "FAULT - NO COMM", I don't see any blown fuses, but the fuse box doesn't do anything, the light on the battery next to the fuse box isn't even on. When I plug it in, same thing, nothing is happening.

I tried to call our local Airstream place, and the earliest they can see us is early October, so I figured I would see if anybody had any advice on what I could do to fix this (if possible)

And I hate to admit this, I am completely illiterate when it comes to "electric" and fuse boxes, so please forgive me if I don't understand.

My assumption is just that the cabin batteries are dead, but I don't know what I'm supposed to do to get them running again.

I appreciate any advice anybody has! Thank you!

[un1teee]

I think I have a similar problem. I believe it's because my house batteries are dying.

To fix, I turned the van on, let it run for a few minutes and then the "No Comm" should go away - until the next evening after the house batteries run out of power.

HTH

[freddyzuru]

Originally Posted by un1teee

I think I have a similar problem. I believe it's because my house batteries are dying.

To fix, I turned the van on, let it run for a few minutes and then the "No Comm" should go away - until the next evening after the house batteries run out of power.

HTH

Thanks for the reply!

Any idea if this is something we can simply swap out like we would for a normal engine battery? I feel completely lost in this whole process

[majorairhead]

The process I'd do is this. Check batteries for charge. If batteries are dead, 1. I could charge them, 2. I could put new ones in.

Now, there could be something going on causing the batteries to go dead, so that plays in to the situation. But, assuming nothing is otherwise askew, and no battery cables are loose, then, if the battery(s) are dead, and in particular if they are original to the 2017 vehicle, I'd consider just buying new and putting them in.

Good info. in this little comedy clip, and on this thread....

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f24...-236014-2.html

[MountainLife]

You can check your voltage on your house batteries and your chassis battery with the toggle switch next to the tank levels switch. Like others have said, if it’s original house batteries (there are two) they may need replacing.

We’ve had our 2017 for 4 years and have replaced the following electrical components:
Both house batteries
Chassis battery
Exterior GFI plug
GFI breaker
GFI plug behind driver seat
Solar power controller
Magnum inverter charger

The inverter is under the driver’s side jump seat behind the fuse panel. The inverter can be reset by pushing and holding the on switch on the remote panel.

If electrical stuff is not your thing, find help. We happen to have a son who is a master mechanic and knows a lot about wiring. Good luck.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Batteries ....

Stock batteries from 2017 would be lead acids. They could be flooded cells, more likely in a van, they are AGM's. Like all the other "stuff" in a Class B, they are packed in tight and not easy to get to.

At this point the originals would be about 7 years old. That's pretty old for lead acids. A lot of folks only get about 5 years out of them. How long they last depends on how they are treated. Some are a lot more careful about this that others.

These days a *lot* of folks are going for lithium's as the replacement batteries. A basic DIY lithium conversion is likely cheaper than the cost of good quality replacement AGM's

Sticking with AGM's in this case. You need to be sure you get some good ones. If DIY is not part of this you need to find somebody to tear apart the van and put them in. Heading over to an AS dealer is one way to do that .... hang on to your wallet ....

Bob

[MountainLife]

We replaced our house batteries in 2021 for about $670 from batteryguys.com and they are super helpful. Changing to lithium batteries is way more involved and more expensive. The house batteries are not difficult to access if you don’t mind getting under your van. They are located behind the rear wheel on the driver’s side. When purchasing replacement batteries check the dimensions to make sure they will fit.

[edroelle]

I suggest you to purchase an inexpensive volt/amp meter. I would not assume the batteries are bad yet. Using volt meter, check
Battery voltage
if fair check voltage at inverter
check voltage at relay under jump seat - it is activated by main disconnect switch at door.
strive to identify where the voltage path is "lost"


If nothing more, it will give you more knowledge of your unit, and the operation and capabilities of a volt meter.
Ed Roelle

[Lily&Me]

And if efforts to fix this yourself fail, remember that YOU DO NOT NEED AN AIRSTREAM DEALER FOR ALL THINGS IN YOUR AIRSTREAM.

Find an independent shop or RV repair place that handles generators/electrical issues and they should be able to help you.

17 years of Interstate ownership, 270,000 miles or so, and I can count on one hand the number of times service of any kind was performed at an Airstream dealer.

I had the entire converter replaced at an RV repair place in Wisconsin last year, after several different people over a year or so had messed with the fuses and problems persisted.

Drove in, asked for help, they had me back on the road in under an hour.

Problem solved.

Good luck.

Maggie