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maggiea's avatar
maggiea
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013

Outlets not working in trailer

Hi, we just bought our very first trailer. It's a 1983 Mallard 20 foot travel trailer. Got an old one to see if we would like taking care of a trailer. The man we bought it from had it parked for 3 years without moving it. We bought a brand new 12v battery and everything turned on as soon as we installed it. But the outlets didn't work. We tried plugging in a little radio to check the outlets and,,,nothing. The bathroom outlet has a ground and we pushed it and it clicked, but still nothing. I've checked everywhere for a manual,, impossible to find. The previous owner has no idea what could have happened. Help please.

30 Replies

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  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 29, 2013
    This block diagram may help you understand the two different power systems in your rig......120 Volt AC and 12 Volt DC

  • GENECOP's avatar
    GENECOP
    Explorer II
    Jul 29, 2013
    I am still wayne_tw wrote:
    GENECOP wrote:
    Is there an inverter?

    That is very doubtful on a 30 year old entry level trailer.


    Known as updating.....
  • I_am_still_wayn's avatar
    I_am_still_wayn
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2013
    To maggiea:
    Plug the trailer into a 120 volt electric source. The outlets will not work off the battery.
  • I_am_still_wayn's avatar
    I_am_still_wayn
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2013
    GENECOP wrote:
    Is there an inverter?

    That is very doubtful on a 30 year old entry level trailer.
  • Hoppypoppy's avatar
    Hoppypoppy
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2013
    Batteries will run lights, pumps and something like a fantastic fan. Just about everything else requires 110 or a generator to run.
  • Eycom's avatar
    Eycom
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2013
    I may have missed it.... but did you plug the trailer into an available 110v electric outlet at home? You would probably need a 30 amp to 20 amp adapter.
  • SAR_Tracker's avatar
    SAR_Tracker
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2013
    maggiea wrote:
    ....We tried plugging in a little radio to check the outlets and,,,nothing. The bathroom outlet has a ground and we pushed it and it clicked, but still nothing.....


    Are you plugged into 110v somewhere? If not, and you don't have an INVERTER (not a CONVERTER - that charges the battery, and supplies 12v), you won't have power to the outlets.

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