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jeeptp75's avatar
jeeptp75
Explorer
Aug 04, 2014

Problems with DC power on Pop Up

My sister has a 1999 Coleman pop up. Last trip they were having issues with their interior lights and heat. She read in the manual that those are all run off the DC power loop. They bought a new batter since the one they had was old and maybe shot. They checked all fuses and breakers inside the camper they were fine. There is some sort of relay or inline fuse off her battery. Can someone tell me what this is? It is so old and rusty I am thinking it could be preventing the DC loop from completing thus nothing that needs the DC power will work.


Thank You
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Does her POPUP have electric winch for raising the roof... I have one of these AUTO RESET circuit breaker that looks like a relay hanging off my battery positive terminal for that.


    Some trailers also may have a in-line fuse holder as well connected to the POSITIVE battery terminal


    A DC MULTIMETER would be a handy thing to test what is there 12VDC voltage wise... These are inexpensive $7-$25 from WALMART-LOWES-AMAZON etc... A fully charged battery will read 12.6-7VDC without being connected to SHORE POWER. It should read 13.6VDC when connected to SHORE POWER telling you that you have connectivity between the on-board converter/charger and the battery terminals.



    There are three items to test for blown fuse in this circuit. One is the IN-LINE FUSE like shown above and there also should be two fuses on the 12VDC Power Distribution Panels where all the 12VDC fuses are located labeled 'REVERSE POLARITY'. The battery terminals may have been sparked or connected wrong just for a second and these fuses are there to protect everything.

    Roy Ken
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    One of my favorite tools is the TEST LAMP This is way easier to use than a volt meter..

    You hook the clip to the battery negative then touch the tip to positive, BRIGHT LIGHT, good

    Move the clip to a good frame ground (Usually a nut somewhere, not painted) and again touch the tip to the battery positive BRIGHT good.

    now follow the positive wires

    Where Bright turns to Dark, there is a problem.

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