Problems with Wildcat in Australia by mermaid

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. My husband and I bought a wildcat and imported it to australia. It has been a dream of ours ever since we saw one on the net. Unfortunately, we have had nothing but trouble with it. After paying $1695.00 for a PDI which they say was a walk through showing us all the gadgets and an internal/external clean it was shipped to us. We bought a step down transformer for it so that we could run it on 110v when we set it up we have found these problems
1) only power to half the unit 2) ac wont run for any longer than 5 mins before it completely shuts down 3) black tank wont empty out at all 4) microwave doesn't even turn on (checked power point its fine) 5) batteries wont charge unless we put them on two seperate chargers from another power source. (don't even know if they are supposed to charge when power in) 6) Not one hand book or user manual for any of the products in the unit including one for the unit itself 7) water heater won't work on gas if I turn the cooker on, so have to have it on electricity then not hot enough to wash dishes. Cant get furnace to turn on at all. 9) circuit breaker in converter won't switch on and fan doesn't run. We are so disappointed. We travelled over to L.A and spent 9 weeks there organizing this unit. It was brand new an ex display model. I don't know if I can name the dealership we got it from but we were told they are the biggest in the U.S. they also charged us $8000 to put a door on the left for us to meet our aussie rules and screw on two amber turn signal lenses. We don't even know where to start with all these problems and would appreciate any help anyone can give us. We did so love your country such a pity about the dealership. You are right once they have your money they don't care.

Mermaid,

First, welcome to the forum..... you joined on 11/11/11 - easy date to remember.

Sounds like most of your problems are electrical. Check the step down transformer, it might be defective and not providing the necessary power to run your appliances.

Look for the brand and model numbers of all your appliances and search on-line for manuals. Here is a link where you can find Lippert manuals - many of us have found these to be very helpful when dealing with problems with the slides and jacks. http://www.lci1.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=66

On some models the valve for dumping the black tank isn't located by the other dumping valves - and some of the owners here have discovered that by themselves - it wasn't covered in their walk throughs. Our model has all of the valves in the same place, so I can't help you on locating the black tank valve,but I'm sure somebody here will be able to help.

Don't know about the water heater or furnace. Even though they are gas, I think they have electric starters, so a problem in your electric system might be causing problems there. I can't figure out why the water heater won't work if you turn on the gas stove.

Also, check your converter - if your batteries aren't charging, there is a good possibility that the converter is defective.

One last thing, are these things covered by a warranty? I don't know how warranty work is handled when a trailer is shipped out of the country, but if you have one, find out how to get service (without having to ship it back to the US). You shouldn't have to be paying for all those problems.

Not all Wildcat/Forest River dealers are like the one you used. I think $8000 is excessive for putting a door on the left side, and you shouldn't have been charged anything for the walk through and cleaning in my opinion.

Keep checking here for solutions to your problems. We have many members who know their stuff when it comes to electrical problems, and other problems associated with trailers.

Tater

Just when I have my faith somewhat restored in FR, there is a post from Mermaid that completely cancels it. This sort of thing is absolutely unacceptable. One would think that shipping a camper so far that the company would at LEAST check it out. Is there no QC at this plant? If someone signed off on this one before it shipped, they should be summarily terminated. Absolutely no excuse for this sort of thing to happen. Same with the dealership.

I am thinking that everyone involved in this was convinced that it was an easy way to unload a bad product. Not like they can tow it back to the factory. FR should send repair technicians to Australia and make this right.

It's this sort of thing that really gets my dander up. But I bet no one could tell I am a little upset.

Really, how about a FR rep weighing in on this one?

BobnPi I agree! I also find it hard to believe that the factory would let a finished product out like that.

HAVE YOU CONTACTED fOREST rIVER YET???

If "mermaid" comes back here, I'd be happy to assist her further. Please send me a private message with the VIN# and purchase date so I can track backwards. It would also be helpful to know the dealer.

For the record, a unit such as the one described wouldn't leave the plant that way. Please have faith that Wildcat workers and QC staff are invested in your enjoyment and our success with this product. Many of the problems stated are power related (8 of the 9 items use power). My guess is that this unit wasn't built by us using Australian standards (which, admittedly, I know very little about) or for the Australian market. She also states a road-side exterior door was added on aftermarket as well as lights -- that's not something we do at the factory. The missing manuals and paperwork might be due to it being "an ex display model." I guess what I'm saying is, I think there's a lot of room for discussion on these problems without immediately blaming Forest River.

Please send me more information so I can help...

Is your power supply 240 volt 50 hertz? The wildcat requires 60 hertz power. So you need a stepdown transformer to take the 240v down to 120v 30 amp. Im not sure how to get the 50 hertz to 60 hertz. But if your transformer isn't able to provide at least 30 amps at all time you will have issues. The air conditioning not running very long is a sign of low voltage. Also the water heater not hot enough on electric sounds like low voltage. The microwave also requires 60 hz and maybe why its not working.

With the ac running, measure voltage at an outlet. You may get 120v until the system is loaded. I think you'll find with the system loaded, your voltage is too low.

Earl

I guess what I'm saying is, I think there's a lot of room for discussion on these problems without immediately blaming Forest River.

I'll agree with Chris on this 100%,,,,
Could just be A simple fix with the electric, maybe a Aussie compliant power supply / converter and all is well. Maybe the step down was not needed ? ,,,,,

$1700 for a Walkthrough,,,,, Man I'm in the wrong line of work. Sounds like the dealer " took advantage "

$1695.00 PDI = Highway Robbery!!

Another vote for the electric being a conversion problem.

The gas problem could be a defective regulator.

TC