2022 41v15 Alliance valor

[shift10gears]

Hello
we are new alliance and pulling a 5th wheel. I recently purchased this trailer from rv country and its been nothing but a nightmare. I had them install a 3k solar system so we can have plenty of power for boondocking. We bought this trailer from rc country used so anything that needs to be fixed they will not help. It took rv country a full year to install the solar. They had constant problems because they didnt know what they were doing.
The problem: I plugged in my power watch dog 50 amp surge protector and it shuts off in about 30 minuets giving code E8 - no neutral at trailer.
please help how I can check this and fix it
thank you in advance.

 

[BryanValRox]

Hello
we are new alliance and pulling a 5th wheel. I recently purchased this trailer from rv country and its been nothing but a nightmare. I had them install a 3k solar system so we can have plenty of power for boondocking. We bought this trailer from rc country used so anything that needs to be fixed they will not help. It took rv country a full year to install the solar. They had constant problems because they didnt know what they were doing.
The problem: I plugged in my power watch dog 50 amp surge protector and it shuts off in about 30 minuets giving code E8 - no neutral at trailer.
please help how I can check this and fix it
thank you in advance.

Welcome to the forum, sorry your having issues!
After experience E8 on a trip 2 season ago, I called Hughes and that is how I am aware of the below information.

So, as background, Hughes Autoformers(Power Watch Dog) did have a recall on some of their units for open netural issues. However this resulted in the small red light under the dog face lighting up and not the E8 code you are reporting.
They indicated the E8 is a netural problem from the surge protector to or in the trailer. And they were only addressing units that the small red light was coming on as part of the recall.

Head to the power watchdog website and navigate to the bottom of the page, you will find a link to FAQ/Support.
Click that link and the first topic that comes up is Error Code E8. Click that link and you will find detailed info on the causes.

Basically in my case, I went over all of my AC connections and found a few under torqued. Knock on wood, we haven’t had any more issues to date.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Where is your watchdog? Outside or hardwired. Solar should have zero impact to watchdog.

 

[RockDr896]

Where is your watchdog? Outside or hardwired. Solar should have zero impact to watchdog.

The possibilities are endless here. The watch dog only makes sure, that power/ground/and neutral are making a connection. It's job is done after that. BEFORE you start really working, throw another power cord on it, to make sure the cord is not the issue.

Since the solar system is on the DC side, I think it is time to isolate the systems. It is the easiest to do. Disconnect the DC side from the inverter. The inverter is your electrical traffic cop. You have could have a Generator...a solar system....and shore power.

I would start by disconnecting everything but shore power........if there is no code, then add the generator, if you have one.....if that checks out, then finally connect your new solar system.

If you get to the solar system, you have to consider a possible bad connection in the load shedding panel. Solar panels do not shut off...ever. If you have a bad connection, then there is power always adding to any multimeter readings. I learned this, when my inverter bricked. Longer story. I ended up throwing in a breaker on my panels. Alliance had me isolate the systems, in order to warranty the inverter.

So in closing, if this is within your skill set, then isolate the systems and try and replicate the issue...one system at a time. If it is not within your skill set, then I would suggest a mobile tech. Alliance has a way to find mobile tech's on their website near you. I am guessing, the fix is not a part replacement issue. Let us know what you find out!!

 

[George]

Does the dog behave when your shore cord is not plugged in to it?

 

[Chaseweston]

The solar system isn't isolated if it's a multiplus inverter used. All the shore power goes through that, no? If your inverter setup is passing through full AC on both legs, they could have wired ground and neutral incorrectly on either incoming to the inverter or from inverter to panel bus bar. If you don't have an additional power cord to try first, worth taking a look at the AC connections on the inverter and make sure white is always in the white terminals.

Can you tell us what inverter was installed and maybe a photo of the AC terminals as they are?

I've had to rewire a pedestal receptacle in a park in AZ once due to bad ground. We got in at night and it was quicker for me just to fix it rather than move the rig again or wait for an afterhours staff.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

The solar system isn't isolated if it's a multiplus inverter used.

If wired correctly, the Watchdog will pass power through to Victron Multiplus. Multiplus will either pass that through to RV and/or charge battery bank. Solar goes directly to 12v busbar and either to battery or to Multiplus.

I don't see how a Watchdog could be impacted (reporting error codes) by solar power (his install).

Here is what I am talking about.

 

[shift10gears]

Does the dog behave when your shore cord is not plugged in to it?

i will check

 

[shift10gears]

The solar system isn't isolated if it's a multiplus inverter used. All the shore power goes through that, no? If your inverter setup is passing through full AC on both legs, they could have wired ground and neutral incorrectly on either incoming to the inverter or from inverter to panel bus bar. If you don't have an additional power cord to try first, worth taking a look at the AC connections on the inverter and make sure white is always in the white terminals.

Can you tell us what inverter was installed and maybe a photo of the AC terminals as they are?

I've had to rewire a pedestal receptacle in a park in AZ once due to bad ground. We got in at night and it was quicker for me just to fix it rather than move the rig again or wait for an afterhours staff.

I got 2 - Reongy regal 3k 12-volt inverters

 

[shift10gears]

If wired correctly, the Watchdog will pass power through to Victron Multiplus. Multiplus will either pass that through to RV and/or charge battery bank. Solar goes directly to 12v busbar and either to battery or to Multiplus.

I don't see how a Watchdog could be impacted (reporting error codes) by solar power (his install).

Here is what I am talking about.

View attachment 5515

great pic. I have a renogy regal 3000 12-volt inverter

 

[shift10gears]

If wired correctly, the Watchdog will pass power through to Victron Multiplus. Multiplus will either pass that through to RV and/or charge battery bank. Solar goes directly to 12v busbar and either to battery or to Multiplus.

I don't see how a Watchdog could be impacted (reporting error codes) by solar power (his install).

Here is what I am talking a

If wired correctly, the Watchdog will pass power through to Victron Multiplus. Multiplus will either pass that through to RV and/or charge battery bank. Solar goes directly to 12v busbar and either to battery or to Multiplus.

I don't see how a Watchdog could be impacted (reporting error codes) by solar power (his install).

Here is what I am talking about.

View attachment 5515

can I do this. plug in the watchdog only. verify I have 120 volt to ground and 120 volt to neutral. then plug in the cord and verify the same voltages at end of cord before I plug into the trailer. Then if i do where do I test next???????
would it be easier if i took pictures of batteries and their connections

 

[Oregon_Camper]

do you have a voltmeter? If so, try using this guys info to test campgrounds power

 

[RockDr896]

can I do this. plug in the watchdog only. verify I have 120 volt to ground and 120 volt to neutral. then plug in the cord and verify the same voltages at end of cord before I plug into the trailer. Then if i do where do I test next???????
would it be easier if i took pictures of batteries and their connections

The watchdog should do the testing required (Unless it has a problem)...so Jim's video, will eliminate that. If the dog is still NOT HAVING an issue when just on shore power and no rig...as George added (Applause for adding that).....then I am voting to isolate systems, like I laid out above, or possibly steps improved by others.

I doubt it is the inverter for now, because when mine bricked, it was unresponsive. I simply bypassed it at that point and kept on camping.

It's going to take some wrench work, but disconnecting the DC, AC, and generator....then just adding one at a time (without the others being hooked up) and seeing if the dog gives you the error. I can't help but think it is telling you something. This approach will let you hone in on which one to spend your time trouble shooting....

Since the solar is the new kid in the system, it should be quick to eliminate the AC and generator.....Then you will need to start chasing connections from the roof panels down. I don't know what year your unit is, but they had a recall. They used wire nuts at the roof connection.....mine is a 2023 and had to fix mine. It is possible, the dealer used wire nuts...boy would that be an easy fix...LOL...fingers crossed...