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rae10rae's avatar
rae10rae
Explorer
May 28, 2016

Electrical Issue

So we opened up the camper today and found we had an electrical problem. When plugged into shore power only the microwave would turn on.

So, I figured maybe the battery needed to be replaced. So off to Sams Club I went to buy a new battery. Purchased said battery, got it home, hooked it up and hooray we had power.

Now, the problem...my daughter was out here playing for about an hour, AC was on, some lights in her bunkhouse. No issues. We went to get ready for bed came back outside and as soon as I turned on the lights in the main living area everything shut off. Checked all circuits, nothing tripped. Not in the camper or on the house end all circuits were ON. Then it came back on for no reason...and went off again...this went round and round for about an hour. One time the AC breaker did trip, so I reset it. After that, the only thing that seemed to work, was I turned the breaker for the microwave off...(camp driveway, won't be using it) it's everything's been ok...except I haven't turned those main lights back in. I don't know what could be going on. It's so weird.

I do have the camper plugged into a 30 amp receptacle. Don't know if this is effecting anything, but we added a second AC last year, but it's wired to its own separate 20 amp receptacle.

We used this set up for over 10 days last June. We were at Fort Wilderness so we needed to run lights, microwave, and both ACs.

Long story short, I have no idea what's going on! Converter issues? Idk...advice appreciated.
  • myredracer wrote:
    Head scratcher... Maybe a bad connection somewhere that is intermittent? Take a voltmeter and check the voltage to ground from each 120 volt breaker in the panel and make sure each circuit is working at the panel. I found one totally loose wire at a breaker in our KZ TT. Check ALL connections at the converter/panel for tightness. Make sure incoming 120 volt 30 amp connections at the panel are good. 120 volt issues like microwave only working should not be affected by the 12 volt system like that.


    I don't have a voltmeter, but I will pick one up later to try what you've suggested.

    myredracer wrote:
    Maybe whoever added the 2nd AC caused something?

    I suppose, but we used this same set up without issue last year...

    myredracer wrote:
    BTW, you may find it a problem to run two AC units at once on 30 amp, especially if the voltage gets too low. What is the voltage at the panel in the trailer when connected to the house? Low voltage in CGs is a common problem.

    Ok...so my second AC runs on its own 20 amp (don't know if I'm saying this right). Would I be better off trying to run everything from my 50 amp with a converter for my 30 amp power chord?

    Thanks again!!
  • enblethen wrote:
    Lights work. Could be problem with converter. Late models have reverse polarity fuses built into them. Locate the converter, look on end where the 12 volt wires connect. Fuses should be there, if equipped. Make and model of converter?


    So...lights work disconnected from shore power.

    Here are some pics of the converter:


  • PaulJ2 wrote:
    When you replaced the battery, are you sure you have the polarity correct?


    Yes, I am pretty sure it is correct. I'll double check though.
  • When you replaced the battery, are you sure you have the polarity correct?
  • Head scratcher... Maybe a bad connection somewhere that is intermittent? Take a voltmeter and check the voltage to ground from each 120 volt breaker in the panel and make sure each circuit is working at the panel. I found one totally loose wire at a breaker in our KZ TT. Check ALL connections at the converter/panel for tightness. Make sure incoming 120 volt 30 amp connections at the panel are good. 120 volt issues like microwave only working should not be affected by the 12 volt system like that.

    Maybe whoever added the 2nd AC caused something?

    BTW, you may find it a problem to run two AC units at once on 30 amp, especially if the voltage gets too low. What is the voltage at the panel in the trailer when connected to the house? Low voltage in CGs is a common problem.
  • The lights are 12 volts DC operated by either the battery or the converter.
    You could have two problems.
    First
    Disconnect from shore power, does the lights work? No, would indicate the circuit breaker or fuse near the battery is causing issue. It could be located under the front in small box(3X3)
    Lights work. Could be problem with converter. Late models have reverse polarity fuses built into them. Locate the converter, look on end where the 12 volt wires connect. Fuses should be there, if equipped. Make and model of converter?