Stupid rookie SMB questions

smblkja · 09-20-2015, 10:52 PM

I recently picked up a '97 Dodge B3500 SMB and am still trying to figure out a few of the electrical systems.

I have the standard basic setup with GFI and two house marine batteries, no generator. First question, there are several standard AC style plug outlets available, if I plug in a laptop or other device I get nothing... do these outlets only supply power if I am plugged into shore power?

In the manual a 'radio switch' is referred to, I can't find this anywhere in my SMB. There is a switch for the water pump and one for the propane detector, but I no idea where (or if it exists) the radio switch is. It's not next to the water or propane switches, nor near the breaker or fuse box for the electrical system.

Thanks

oldbernie · 09-21-2015, 07:15 AM

Your 110 volt outlets will only work if you are plugged in UNLESS you have an inverter/charger installed rather than just a charger. Of course you will still be limited as to what you can run without trashing the battery charge. You can at least make a quick pot of coffee and/or charge your small devices such as phones etc.

Ben10281 · 09-21-2015, 07:33 AM

I have a '95 Dodge SMB so our setups may be similar. Regarding the electrical question, on mine, I have an inverter that is connected to 3 AC panel breakers. 1 breaker is the main, 1 breaker is the passenger side and 1 breaker is the driver's side. If I am on shore power(electrical cable plugged into the side of the van) I flip on all 3 breakers and I have power to all my outlets, my microwave, and my fridge runs off of 110v AC. If I am running on 12v DC then I need to turn on my inverter, then I have to flip on the main AC breaker, then flip on the breaker for whichever side of the van I want to use the outlets on, or just flip all 3 breakers on to have all outlets in the van working. They key idea here is that the outlets are AC power only and therefore you need to be supplying AC power in some way, shore power or inverter.

Here is a picture of my inverter, yours may be the same:

There is a button on top of the inverter that can set the inverter to be on or in charging mode. This is the button I have to hit in order to get AC when I am not plugged into shore power. I happen to have a remote cable that is run from the inverter to a button elsewhere in the van so I do not have to get under the gaucho to access the button but you may or may not have that remote button.

As far as my "Radio Button" they installed a toggle switch in the dash right next to my radio for that purpose. Here is a pic:

In the down position the radio runs off of the van starting battery, in the up position the radio runs off of the house batteries(no key in ignition needed, just flip the switch and radio turns on.)

Hope this helps and welcome!

smblkja · 09-21-2015, 12:06 PM

Awesome! Thank you guys for the quick responses and the pictures, they help a lot and clear up some confusion I had.

I will remove my Gaucho cushion and up some pics to confirm, but from the documentation it looks like I have an Intellipower 9100 series converter, confirming the reason for no AC.

I've seen some other sportsmobiles with the radio switch near the propane sensor or the water heater switch, very cool that you have yours up front. I'll continue to dig around for random switches hoping it's around somewhere, it may be that I just don't have one?

**daveb** · 09-21-2015, 12:22 PM

Just be aware a converter is not an inverter and converters are made to change AC shore power to DC. Most (not all) double as a DC charger for the house battery system. An Inverter will be what in required to take your house battery and supply the AC outlets when no shore power is available. Also like converters, an inverter may or may not have a charger built in.