bought, a trailer with no manual

The double switch by the door is for the outside light and the inside light on the ceiling just above the door. The switch on that light also needs to be on.

1st....check your bulbs, and fuses. There are a few different circuits with a fuse for each...they are the car type fuses in the main panel
2nd....check to see that there is power to the light fixtures. You can see the contacts around the bulbs. Use a 12 volt tester. A lot of times, the contacts in the switch part of these light fixtures get bent up and are just not making contact.
3rd...If no power, take the screws out and lower the fixture, see if you have power on the back. If not, you need to start tracing wires from there back to the source.

A switch by a door might be for an exterior light. If the trailer has been stored and not used for a period of time, the metal based bulbs and sockets can oxidise and not pass current to the lamp. Usually, cleaning them will restore connection.

As long as you're troubleshooting and have hands on the fixtures, it might be a good time to upgrade to more efficient LED bulbs. For small money, you can replace older power-hogging bulbs with LED replacements. E Bay is your friend for this.

Good luck with your new rig!

Older model converters need battery to act as a load......

Check for blown dc fuses, burnt out bulbs, bad grounding on those lights that don't work.

You can also check converter output....voltmeter should read 13.6V DC output (test where battery cables would connect to converter). Lower reading...converter not doing it's job.

You can contact KZ...might have some info about your rig...LINK

Thanks,. but shouldn't the converter supply the 12v. with out the battery ?

don-b wrote:
Thanks for the info. there is no battery but its plugged in to the house, some of the lights work and some don't there is two switches by the back door that don't do anything. Guess it time to take thing apart and trouble shoot.

Just put in a battery before you tear it apart and find that's the problem. Almost all the lights run on 12 volt.

B.O.

Thanks for the info. there is no battery but its plugged in to the house, some of the lights work and some don't there is two switches by the back door that don't do anything. Guess it time to take thing apart and trouble shoot.

Get the "RV Repair and Maintenance Manual" by Bob Livingston. It guides you through any repairs, including both of the ones mentioned.

Manuals for RV's are generally useless. Go around to each appliance (furnace, A/C, Fridge, water heater,etc) and write down the brand name and model number/serial number. Most manuals for those are readily available online from the various manufacturers. Most stuff, like window gear boxes, you will have to use your imagination and skills. Most of the lights will work off a charged 12 volt battery. The electrical plugs, microwave, A/C will require you be be plugged into a power pole to work. Good luck and keep asking questions as things arise.

the window crank mechanisms are readily available at most RV parts stores. Lights wont work without a fully charged battery.