Forum Discussion

cekkk's avatar
cekkk
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015

No Power Off Battery, 30 Amp Trailer

What am I missing? A couple weeks ago DW told me she had gone down to the trailer, opened the door and something popped and all was dark. She doesn't remember telling me and I don't recall exactly what she said happened. The battery was old, I had already purchased a replacement. Today I installed the new one (correctly) and still no power to anything. I didn't really expect that battery to cure anything.

I've checked the fuse from the positive terminal to the battery cut off switch, turned main 30 amp breaker off and back on, pushed two unknown to me auto resets, one says 20 amp and the other 12.5 I believe. I pulled both 30 amp fuses. One was okay but I dropped the other and not sure whether it's okay or burned. I can't see where it went so have to get a replacement.

I can pull it into the driveway and give it shore power but thought I'd ask here before doing much else so I don't cause another problem. I'll appreciate your suggestions.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 18, 2015
    30A fuses you pulled.......where they on the 'converter'?
    IF so....those are 'reverse polarity' fuses that would trip/isolating battery if it was hooked up backwards (also w/o them no recharging from converter when on AC Power)


    Auto resets...20A probably for slide out and 12.5 probably for power jack
  • cekkk's avatar
    cekkk
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2015
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    30A fuses you pulled.......where they on the 'converter'?
    IF so....those are 'reverse polarity' fuses that would trip/isolating battery if it was hooked up backwards (also w/o them no recharging from converter when on AC Power)
    Auto resets...20A probably for slide out and 12.5 probably for power jack


    Those two 30 amp fuses are at the top of the panel where the breakers and 12V fuses are located. That's the best I can say.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 18, 2015
    cekkk wrote:
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    30A fuses you pulled.......where they on the 'converter'?
    IF so....those are 'reverse polarity' fuses that would trip/isolating battery if it was hooked up backwards (also w/o them no recharging from converter when on AC Power)
    Auto resets...20A probably for slide out and 12.5 probably for power jack


    Those two 30 amp fuses are at the top of the panel where the breakers and 12V fuses are located. That's the best I can say.


    Most likely 'reverse polarity'
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Aug 19, 2015
    Look for a sizable fuse or fusible link near the battery in the main positive lead.

    If there is one and it's blown, check carefully for shorts on the lead(s) going from the battery to the various things before replacing it. Possibly a wire was chafed or chewed on or something and opening the door/stepping in shifted things enough to short it out.

    Another possible thing to check is that the other end of the ground lead from the battery is solidly connected to the chassis of the trailer and not fatigued, etc.
  • Shadow_Catcher's avatar
    Shadow_Catcher
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2015
    A VOM/multi-meter is your friend you start where you have power and go to where you don't.
  • cekkk's avatar
    cekkk
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2015
    I have more information. DW and I got to talking about it at dinner. She recalled that she went down to the TT that evening because she saw a light had been left on. It was then that things went south when she opened the door. That narrows it a bit.

    A couple hours ago I came up with a 30 amp fuse to replace the one I dropped. The words "reverse polarity" were by their slots. So do they just blow when the battery has been hooked up wrong?

    Will be following those suggestions tomorrow.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Aug 19, 2015
    Yes they blow when the battery has been hooked up wrong. They may blow when the battery is very dead and you plug in or if the battery has a shorted cell (MAY no guarantee there) they can also blow (As can most all fuses) for no reason at all other than vibration and old age.

    Are things working now?

    Some Converters/power panel systems one fuse is for the battery one for the converter.. But I doubt that on a modern one.

    Recommendation: Visit Pep Boys, Or ____Auto (Auto parts store or department) and pick up an assortment of those fuses.. I can't tell you how many times I've been glad I had that box. and several other RVers as well.
  • cekkk's avatar
    cekkk
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2015
    Wa8yxm, No, still not working. I pulled that pair of 30 reverse polarity fuses. The one that came out was fine. The other fell into the ether. But having replaced it, still no power. I'm thinking a short. Doubt if I'll be able to find it myself and am about to go out and work on it. Probably have to take it down to our local horse trailer shop Monday. They're very good at finding problems and cost less/hr than RV shops, the closest of which is 40 miles away. We don't have a gas pump in town, but we've got a great repair shop!
  • cekkk's avatar
    cekkk
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2015
    Follow up. Sunday night nothing worked. Monday took it to local horse trailer dealer. Jerry plugged it in and everything worked. ac plugs all live, etc. He put the multimeter on what I'll call the leads under the breakers and got zip. Cutting power off and on the converter fan tried and failed to start. He says the problem is between the rear of the TT where the power cord and EMS are and the panel in the kitchen.

    It's now at a Jayco dealer I once used for a minor problem. (not CW) and they won't get to it for a month. That isn't a problem as our season is over unless we head south in November. Their tech seemed to understand what the problem was, although he didn't say so in so many words.
  • cekkk's avatar
    cekkk
    Explorer
    Sep 02, 2015
    Got a call minutes ago from Steve at Zabukovic Motors, Jayco dealer in Pueblo CO. It's the converter and a replacement will be in their hands tomorrow. My 2nd dealing with them. The first was very good and this one seems to be going the same way. And I just took it in late last week. I thought it was going to take a month. This will give us another camp out before I have to winterize. :B

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