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Nlambert182's avatar
Nlambert182
Explorer
Aug 22, 2017

Odd electrical issues with camper?

I'm not sure if all of these issues are related, but hopefully someone who has experienced this can point me in the right direction.

We bought a 2013 Heartland Prowler two weeks ago. When I got it home and attempted to level the camper, the rear stabilizers would only go up, and not down. I removed the switch and found that there was a female spade connector corroded and broken. Replaced that and all was well.

We took the camper on our first trip this weekend. Once we got to the campsite, the stabilizers weren't working again. Popped the switch out and the same connector was broken again, so I replaced it and leveled the trailer.

Once we went inside, two of the three slides wouldn't operate. Checked all the fuses and breakers and all looked good. After about thirty minutes or so (while I was looking for the manual cranks) my wife tried the switches and both slides extended properly.

When packing up yesterday, the bedroom slide didn't function. I spun the manual crank about 4 times and the motor began turning with the switch. When my wife let it go, I had to crank it over a few more times before it would begin working.

Once I got home, the front landing gear wouldn't operate. I found a blown fuse and replaced it and the gear began working.

Could all of these issues be related, and could all of this be due to a short in the system somewhere, or would it be coincidence? I took it back to the dealer yesterday but it will be a few weeks before they can get to it and my curiosity has gotten the better of me.

11 Replies

  • Nlambert182's avatar
    Nlambert182
    Explorer
    Aug 23, 2017
    The wire has a decent service loop on it, so I don't think it's too short. The connector is corroding. It will turn green in about 2 days and then break off. I haven't found corrosion anywhere else in the wiring that I've looked at except for that one spot. I'm assuming it's either getting water on it, or the switch is bad.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Aug 22, 2017
    On the connector that keeps breaking. Wire may be a bit short.. If it keeps happening extend the wire an inch or 3.
  • Nlambert182's avatar
    Nlambert182
    Explorer
    Aug 22, 2017
    myredracer wrote:
    If an older unit and if multiple things are acting up, I'd start with looking for a bad connection(s) somewhere that have something in common - starting with the battery to frame & converter/charger to frame connections as these can be exposed to the elements and sometimes corroded. Maybe a loose connection in the ground bar behind the converter panel? Maybe check the voltage right at the battery when it is in charging mode after extending the landing gear and slides. Check positive connection at battery and at converter.

    Installing a new battery means little as it's hard to screw up tightening up two connection in a dry/covered location and the battery should be working properly.

    Intermittent electrical problems can be one of the hardest things to diagnose... :( If you were to take it back to the dealer, that likely won't help unless you could somehow demonstrate exactly what's been happening.

    As a matter of course, I would check and tighten all 12 & 120 volt connections at the converter/panel and ground bar regardless. In our TT I found one wire completely loose at a breaker. Also have found a number if improperly done crimp connections with wires barely holding on and connections to frame and the mini-breakers (in A-frame) that were badly corroded.


    Good point.... We just bought it from the dealer (it's a 2013 model) two weeks ago, so hopefully they don't try to give me issue with the 4 year warranty as it says that electrical/mechanical failures are covered. Luckily (and unluckily) the bedroom slide and rear jacks weren't working when I got there so they at least know there is an issue.

    I plan to go through the entire thing when I get it back and double check all of the connections.
  • turbojimmy's avatar
    turbojimmy
    Explorer
    Aug 22, 2017
    donn0128 wrote:
    Sounds suspiciously like a flood damaged RV. You might want to get serious and do a title search. Hope you bought it from a dealer and not a private party.


    That was my first thought as well. Corroded terminals on a '13 sounds fishy. All of the symptoms sound like corrosion which leads to intermittent operation and loads that will blow fuses.
  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    Aug 22, 2017
    If an older unit and if multiple things are acting up, I'd start with looking for a bad connection(s) somewhere that have something in common - starting with the battery to frame & converter/charger to frame connections as these can be exposed to the elements and sometimes corroded. Maybe a loose connection in the ground bar behind the converter panel? Maybe check the voltage right at the battery when it is in charging mode after extending the landing gear and slides. Check positive connection at battery and at converter.

    Installing a new battery means little as it's hard to screw up tightening up two connection in a dry/covered location and the battery should be working properly.

    Intermittent electrical problems can be one of the hardest things to diagnose... :( If you were to take it back to the dealer, that likely won't help unless you could somehow demonstrate exactly what's been happening.

    As a matter of course, I would check and tighten all 12 & 120 volt connections at the converter/panel and ground bar regardless. In our TT I found one wire completely loose at a breaker. Also have found a number if improperly done crimp connections with wires barely holding on and connections to frame and the mini-breakers (in A-frame) that were badly corroded.
  • Nlambert182's avatar
    Nlambert182
    Explorer
    Aug 22, 2017
    Yes, I bought it from a dealer. Is there something such as a Carfax option for an RV? I don't think there has been flood damage just from everything I've seen, but I can at least rule that out.

    I crawled around under the camper prior to purchase and didn't see any signs of rust anywhere. Inside there is normal wear on the carpet, so it doesn't look to have been replaced at any point in time. I also don't see any interior signs of water damage and the roof looks good. None of the interior wood has swelled or has any signs of water stains.

    The only corrosion I have found was on that one terminal of that exterior switch. Everything else looks to be in good condition (visually). It is a local camper. I wish I could get ahold of the previous owner and ask them some questions.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Aug 22, 2017
    Sounds suspiciously like a flood damaged RV. You might want to get serious and do a title search. Hope you bought it from a dealer and not a private party.
  • Nlambert182's avatar
    Nlambert182
    Explorer
    Aug 22, 2017
    The battery is brand new. The dealer installed it prior to us taking delivery. I did confirm that it is maintaining the proper voltage and that the connections were tight.

    What I found odd with the motor is that there is not even a click or any indication that the motor was getting any power to it. Being in a rush to try to make the 4 hr trip back home yesterday I didn't have time to stick the voltmeter on it to diagnose the issue unfortunately.

    The jacks and the landing gear were just lubed Friday before last. We went over those items during the delivery inspection.

    As for the connector..... the bottom right spade is burnt in half on it. I noticed when initially removing the switch that this particular connector didnt have a waterproof terminal on it so I chalked it up to corroding from water splashing on it (it's on the rear of the trailer right below the left tail light) but... it's above the insulation, so not sure that water makes much entrance to it's location.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Aug 22, 2017
    Nlambert182 wrote:
    Could all of these issues be related, and could all of this be due to a short in the system somewhere, or would it be coincidence?


    All of these devices which are malfunctioning are powered by the battery yet you've not mentioned at all what the condition of your battery (or batteries) may be. Have you even checked? :@

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