Forum Discussion

Slash0311's avatar
Slash0311
Explorer
Jan 19, 2017

Bizarre issue with Electric system

I've got a very strange issue with my travel trailer that I'm hoping someone can point me in a direction.

My rig is a 2010 Streamlight that I've owned for 3 years without any major issues. I normally keep it plugged in when I'm not using it. A few weeks ago, I went in it and the lights wouldn't come on. I check the connection and the lights turned on but I flipped the light switch off and they wouldn't come back on. I unplugged and plugged it back in and the lights would do the same. Flip them off and they wouldn't come back on. Here's where it gets really strange. I was in it last weekend and plugged a small space heater into a wall receptical. As soon as I turned the heater on, the lights came on. (They were off but the switch was in the on position)

I've bought a new extension cord to plug it in (I just plug in 110 and use an adapter) to see if that changes anything. I've taken a quick glance at the fuses and they seem okay, but I do need to take a closer look at them. I've seen no evidence of mice or anything like that chewing on wires.

I'm pretty good at working on stuff and would rather DIY rather than have a shop look at it. If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears.
  • WayneAt63044's avatar
    WayneAt63044
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2017
    I, too, believe your issue is battery terminal corrosion. Let us know what you find.
  • Slash0311's avatar
    Slash0311
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2017
    I'll admit, the battery is something I've probably neglected. The thought had crossed my mind with a battery issue but I wasn't sure how it would tie into my issue! Thanks a ton and I'll be doing some battery checks over the weekend!
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2017
    Batteries are either toast or you have an open connection to them (corrosion on teminals?). When you turn off the lights, the converter has no more load and thinks it's disconnected. Heater turning on probably dropped the AC voltage just long enough to simulate "turning it off and back on" just like when you were checking the connections.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jan 19, 2017
    Lights are 12V DC..fed by converter and/or trailer battery

    Shore power is 120V AC.
    Converter is fed 120V AC and 'converts' it into DC to supply DC system and maintain charge on batteries

    When was the last time you checked the battery water level?
    Have you checked battery voltage?
    Have you checked converter DC output?

    Disconnect battery positive cable and test/measure voltage from battery.
    Then with AC power ON....test/measure Converter DC output voltage....S/B 13.2V minimum or converter is failing.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2017
    Could be a combination of things since the 12V lighting system should work off the battery.

    Your converter could be getting wonky or you could have a loose neutral connection inside the breaker panel. Either of those could cause intermittent connections. It would have to be paired with a discharged battery.

    I'd suggest to check the battery, measure converter output, and check the condition of any inline circuit breaker between battery and 12V distribution panel.

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