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ccjack's avatar
ccjack
Explorer
Apr 07, 2022

Newbie - electrical question, 12V not working

Just took delivery of a new TT 2 days ago, our drive back home from the dealer is 3 hours - and we parked in a RV storage lot. When I unhooked from TV I went to push the battery disconnect (at control panel by door) to disconnect before storage. However, first I tried turning on 12V appliances / switches and nothing lit up. It was a bit rainy, so I pushed the disconnect in and went home for the night. next day I went back to the TT pulled disconnect out and everything 12 V worked. However I tried again 15 minutes later and nothing.

Since it didn't work, then worked, then didn't work, I don't think it is a fuse or breaker. I am suspecting either a borderline battery charge or an intermittent problem (perhaps with the disconnect switch.) I put a meter on the battery terminals and read 13V (no load). Have not had time to investigate further. Sales dealership has been helpful on the phone, but I am not anxious to tow it into a repair place if I can fix easily myself - even if under warranty.

Any thoughts on what to try. pull off control panel and bypass disconnect switch? take battery to auto dealer and have it tested ? put volt meter to battery wires going into fuse panel (under refridgerator) and see if it reads 121 V when disconnect is pulled out?

Any advice appreciated. thank you.

27 Replies

  • Look near the front of the rig where the umbilical cord from TV connects to the rig's wiring. It could also be where the battery cables connect to rig's wiring for a circuit breaker.
    Difficult looking at floor plans as to where your battery(ies) are located.
  • There is often a battery cutoff switch usually found near the outside end of the front pass thru or in the battery compartment.

    Just a note: never accept an RV without testing every single appliance, light, jacks, awning, windows and every thing else before signing the paperwork. Make them fix any problems right then, do not accept 'bring it back and we will take care of it."
  • Oh that could be. Are those all in the fuse panel, or any up front by the battery... HOw would I check those?

    I did locate two small inline devices near the batter mounted to the frame. I thought they might be current limiting fuses or something. I did not know they could auto reset. I did measure the continuity between the two terminals on these devices and it read continuity. However, I don't recall if I measured them when the 12V was working or not working, I think when it was working.

    If that is the issue, that means a short somewhere else, correct?

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