Forum Discussion

brows827's avatar
brows827
Explorer
Oct 25, 2019

Can't get 12v power and boondocking

Hi - I'm a newbie RV'er and I'm having an issue. You guys have helped me before, and I'm hoping you might be able to help again. My Rockwood Roo 19 (2014) has been in storage on shore power for a couple weeks, and I just picked it up for a weekend boondocking. When I picked it up, I was getting power without a problem and it showed the battery full (it was also hooked up to the car).

I arrived and got set up, but now I'm not getting any 12v power. I checked my circuit breakers on the converter - none are tripped and fuses are good. I switched the converter circuit breaker off and back on and the fan runs for a couple seconds then stops (maybe since battery is full?).

After I disconnected from the generator, I checked the panel and the battery briefly flashed full, then nothing. Can't get any power to it.

Any ideas what the issue might be? Bad connection? Bad converter? It's a new battery so that hopefully shouldn't be the issue.

Thank you in advance - as always I appreciate your insight.
  • brows827's avatar
    brows827
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2019
    cavie wrote:
    How new is new?. Have you used the new battery before this issue? There are two reverse polarity fuses on the converter. Check them with a meter don't just look. There is also an in-line reset-able fuse within 6' or the battery under to tongue

    When you checked the breakers did you turn them off then back on?

    Circuit breakers are 120 volt. Fuses are 12 volt. We need to know which is not working. Not just Power.

    the tongue jack has it's fuse under the tongue not on the converter.


    I've taken it out with the battery a couple times without a problem. This is the first time I have had an issue.

    I'll check the two reverse polarity fuses when my wife gets here with the multimeter.

    I'm wondering where this resettable fuse would be. Within 6 ft of the battery?

    Lastly - yes, I flipped off/on all circuit breakers.

    One more thing: after I had it on generator power for a few minutes and the disconnected, I checked the battery charge gauge on the panel - once again, it flashed briefly like there is some kind of residual power.
  • brows827's avatar
    brows827
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2019
    opnspaces wrote:
    Are you saying that you are plugged in to shore power (via generator) and you do not have 12 volt power?

    Y9ou might have two different issues going on, a battery disconnect and a bad converter.

    First thing I would check is all the connections on the battery. Make sure the nuts or wingnuts are tight on the cables. make sure any and all connections you can find are tight.

    Trace the negative battery cable and tighten the grounding bolt or screw at the frame.

    Then trace down the positive cable until you find either a circuit breaker or fuse. Check or replace the fuse. If a circuit breaker see if it has a reset button on the side. If not find a way to jumper the two threaded posts together which will bypass the circuit breaker.

    With the shore power disconnected go inside the trailer and pull the front off the breaker panel so you can see the wiring. Make sure every screw you can find is tight.


    Only time I can get power is when I'm hooked up to the generator. When the trailer cable is hooked up to my car I'm not even getting power anymore - though I had been earlier.

    I tightened all connections, the ground as well. I followed the positive cable all the way down and didn't see a fuse - it goes into an electrical box, then into the camper underneath the converter. Should I have a fuse outside? Only ones I have seen are at the converter box.

    Going in now to take the front off the breaker panel and check the screws.

    My wife is bringing my multimeter but won't arrive until this evening.
  • cavie's avatar
    cavie
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2019
    How new is new?. Have you used the new battery before this issue? There are two reverse polarity fuses on the converter. Check them with a meter don't just look. There is also an in-line reset-able fuse within 6' or the battery under to tongue

    When you checked the breakers did you turn them off then back on?

    Circuit breakers are 120 volt. Fuses are 12 volt. We need to know which is not working. Not just Power.

    the tongue jack has it's fuse under the tongue not on the converter.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Oct 25, 2019
    I'll bet the tongue jack is on a separate wire than the rest of the trailer, I know mine is. It really sounds like you have a loose connection between the trailer and the batteries. The challenge is to find it.

    Am I correct that you are camping and don't have access to a multimeter?
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Oct 25, 2019
    Are you saying that you are plugged in to shore power (via generator) and you do not have 12 volt power?

    Y9ou might have two different issues going on, a battery disconnect and a bad converter.

    First thing I would check is all the connections on the battery. Make sure the nuts or wingnuts are tight on the cables. make sure any and all connections you can find are tight.

    Trace the negative battery cable and tighten the grounding bolt or screw at the frame.

    Then trace down the positive cable until you find either a circuit breaker or fuse. Check or replace the fuse. If a circuit breaker see if it has a reset button on the side. If not find a way to jumper the two threaded posts together which will bypass the circuit breaker.

    With the shore power disconnected go inside the trailer and pull the front off the breaker panel so you can see the wiring. Make sure every screw you can find is tight.
  • brows827's avatar
    brows827
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2019
    One other thing - the tongue jack works just fine on battery but nothing else will inside.

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