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Js139's avatar
Js139
Explorer
Sep 15, 2014

Arctic Fox Electrical Issue

Hi,

I am new to the forum and hoping someone here can give me a hand with my 1999 Arctic Fox 1150.

I was unloading the camper this weekend and everything was going fine (wasn't plugged into anything). I was using the electric Happy Jacks and got the camper up the in air off the truck. I stopped for a couple of minutes and came back and my wired remote was out. I didn't think anything of it until I tried to lift the camper just a bit more. With the remote out, nothing worked. I started checking the remote connections and that wasn't the issue. I went into the camper and the camper was dark and none of the lights worked. I started checking wires and fuses and everything seemed fine.

Finally, I plugged into AC and all of the lights inside came on. The remote for the jacks powered up. However, when I hit the buttons to lift the camper, the jacks engaged but acted like there were barely getting any juice. Something didn't feel right, so I started checking fuses and breakers. Everything checked out. Everything seemed to work fine when plugged in, but once I unplugged the camper, everything was dead. I got no lights and the battery level/water levels monitor wouldn't register anything and was just black. Additionally, the camper jack remote is completely dark. This leads me to believe the battery is shot. However, with the camper unplugged, the side out works just fine, which indicates the battery is ok. Also, the furnace fan kicked on as well. I have no idea what the issue is.

Does anyone have any trouble shooting ideas? My guess is the battery is shot and just isn't putting out enough or there is a converter issue? Any guesses?
Truck Campers
  • Js139's avatar
    Js139
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2014
    This is awesome information. You all have given me a good step to go through the trouble shooting process. I'll get out to the camper this weekend and start working through the suggestions above. RamTC and Joe417's responses sound exactly like my issue. I'll start there and also check the battery. I'll follow-up once I look at it. Thanks so much for all of the help and the advice on this. I was out of ideas with my limited electrical knowledge. Thanks again!
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Sep 16, 2014
    Everything probably works great with the umbilical plugged into the truck too, right?

    Also, there's a difference between "slide works" and "slide works fine." These are pretty small slides, compared to a TT or MH, and they use the same exact mechanisms so it may be hard to tell.

    My money's on battery.
  • ticki2's avatar
    ticki2
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2014
    If the batteries are good , check the voltage on each side of the circuit breakers and disconnect switch to insure they have good connection . From what you have said the slide circuit is working properly ?
  • Joe417's avatar
    Joe417
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2014
    RamTC is right.

    I would think your AF is wired similar to our 990s. The slide runs to the battery through it's own circuit breaker. If you measure the battery and don't see a higher voltage when you plug the AC in you have a circuit breaker open between the battery and the fuse box or the disconnect is open. You did remember to turn it on, right??

    My 990 is wired with the positive side of the battery as follows:




    The Main 30A breaker, Slide 30A breaker, battery disconnect, and HappiJac 40A breaker are under the sink. The Main 40A breaker to the fuse box is under the step.

    And before everyone jumps me about the 30A breaker at the battery, I've triple checked and it is a 30A. That's the way it was wired when I got it and it works so I haven't changed it. If you aren't into electronics, what I'm saying is that I suspect the 40A breaker on the HappiJacs is swapped with the 30A breaker at the battery. That will limit current to and from the battery to 30A.

    It ain't broke, I ain't fixin it.

    The remark about the disconnect is from experience. Several experiences.

    Good luck with the trouble shooting.
  • RamTC's avatar
    RamTC
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2014
    I believe there is an in-line 40A? fuse under the step between the converter and the battery. The slide power is on the battery side of the fuse under the sink, would explain why only the slide works on battery. Plugged in, all 12V would come from converter if fuse is open. Measure 12V at the battery, then plug in, meter should go up to near 14V.
  • Js139's avatar
    Js139
    Explorer
    Sep 15, 2014
    ok, thanks. I'll get the battery tested and then get back on here if it doesn't resolve the issue. Thanks for the help!
  • Super_Dave's avatar
    Super_Dave
    Explorer
    Sep 15, 2014
    There are some pieces of the puzzle that don't fit perfectly here for the diagnosis but getting the battery checked is a great first place to start and doesn't cost anything.
  • Js139's avatar
    Js139
    Explorer
    Sep 15, 2014
    That is exactly what my gut was telling me. I was skeptical of myself due to the slide still operating normally. Does the slide require less voltage than the battery?
  • Super_Dave's avatar
    Super_Dave
    Explorer
    Sep 15, 2014
    Jacks won't operate on a very low or discharged battery. Plugging into shore power will give you lights but not enough battery charge to operate the jacks. Check the battery for a full charge or maybe a bad cell in the battery.

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