Battery leads reversed
I usually take my battery off my travel trailer at the end of each trip and put it in my shop, so that I can keep it charged up. I have done this for years with no problems.
Today, I must have got distracted while hooking up, and I reversed the leads to my battery. When i got to my campsite several hours later, I hooked up to shore power, but could not get the refrigerator, AC, or lights to work. But the power stabilizers and the outlets all worked. I was really confused why some things would work but not others. The camp host confirmed that the power pole was supplying 120 volts, and even changed the receptacle.
Finally, i had to call a mobile tech, and in 5 minutes found the problem. It had blown two 40 amp fuses, which he replaced, and after correcting the battery hookups, and I was back in business.
He explained that the plug ins worked because they drew AC straight from the power pole, but that even though the AC and fridge ran on AC, they received control feedback through the DC loop. I wish I had known that before, so hopefully, sharing this might help someone sometime.
I plan on installing a battery disconnect, so I don't have to take the battery out of the travel trailer. Are there any other suggestions for an add on to protect my rig from low or high voltage, reversed polarity, a miswired battery, or voltage spikes, etc while I am thinking of upgrading and protecting my electrical system?
Today, I must have got distracted while hooking up, and I reversed the leads to my battery. When i got to my campsite several hours later, I hooked up to shore power, but could not get the refrigerator, AC, or lights to work. But the power stabilizers and the outlets all worked. I was really confused why some things would work but not others. The camp host confirmed that the power pole was supplying 120 volts, and even changed the receptacle.
Finally, i had to call a mobile tech, and in 5 minutes found the problem. It had blown two 40 amp fuses, which he replaced, and after correcting the battery hookups, and I was back in business.
He explained that the plug ins worked because they drew AC straight from the power pole, but that even though the AC and fridge ran on AC, they received control feedback through the DC loop. I wish I had known that before, so hopefully, sharing this might help someone sometime.
I plan on installing a battery disconnect, so I don't have to take the battery out of the travel trailer. Are there any other suggestions for an add on to protect my rig from low or high voltage, reversed polarity, a miswired battery, or voltage spikes, etc while I am thinking of upgrading and protecting my electrical system?
