Forum Discussion

jerendeb-CLIF's avatar
jerendeb-CLIF
Explorer
Jul 30, 2018

On Battery, lights ok; slide, awning & jack kill battery

I have searched here but couldn't find an exact situation that I have.

2014 Keystone Bullet Premier
  • did a reverse polarity by accident!
  • Polarity fuses didn't burn out
  • 3v Refrigerator Controller Fuse burned out and replaced. (Frig Works)
  • replaced battery
  • replaced Power Converter
  • replaced Polarity Fuses
  • cleaned battery terminals


On shore power everything is good.
On Tow Vehicle Power everything is good.
On Battery, lights come on dim, then if I switch them on and off they come up bright.
Battery 2/3 on monitor.
On Battery, try slide, 'kills' battery. Same with Jack & Awning.
Not sure what to try next.

Can't locate any 'hidden' fuses. Are there any?
All 15 AMP fuses good.

Take battery back and get a more powerful one?

Battery is a:
Duralast is a 24MD-DL
Cranking Amps 1000 with 115 Reserve Capacity.

Thanks,

JERE
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2018
    Jack and slide motors pull a lot more 12v power than lights...
    Sounds like a weak battery either not fully charged or is not being charged by the converter...is the converter supplying a charge to the batts? This is easy to check with a multi-meter.

    There are a couple of blade fuses on a converter (mine has 3).

    Good luck with you search of the infamous electric gremlin...
  • N2ZPY's avatar
    N2ZPY
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2018
    Sounds to me like the battery is shot. Lights are a small load. By trying the jacks and slide you are putting a bigger amperage draw on the battery and it can't supply what is needed to run those loads.

    Kevin
  • kerrlakeRoo's avatar
    kerrlakeRoo
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2018
    Lights are a low draw, the other functions are much higher, check for corrosion on the battery and the main ground connections. Corrosion can kill a link on high draw but allow low draw to still function.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 30, 2018
    Check the battery voltage with a voltmeter..not those 'monitor lights' (2/3. --2/3 of WHAT)

    Check that battery ground cable is connected to frame and is clean/tight



    Your battery needs charging....or is faulty
    take it to an Auto Parts Store and have it 'Load Tested'
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2018
    Bad battery or bad connections. Check/clean the negative battery cable connection to frame.
  • NMDriver2's avatar
    NMDriver2
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2018
    N2ZPY wrote:
    Sounds to me like the battery is shot. Lights are a small load. By trying the jacks and slide you are putting a bigger amperage draw on the battery and it can't supply what is needed to run those loads.

    Kevin


    X2 you have volts but no amps is sounds like. On a meter the battery will show 12 or more volts but it is not providing amps enough to do any work. Take it to a WalMart or Autozone, etc and have them check it under load.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2018
    Is this a deep cycle battery? From the specs you gave I would assume it's a starting battery. Even if it is, it still shouldn't behave as you describe. Get the battery checked.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jul 31, 2018
    There may be an automatic circuit breaker. It may have burned contacts that are limiting current. They are often quite close to the battery bank.

    Check for continuity between the battery and the DC power distribution center.

    Check to see if battery voltage rises when the RV is plugged into shore power.

    Check the grounds.
  • jerendeb-CLIF's avatar
    jerendeb-CLIF
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2018
    I just returned from AUTO-ZONE. Turns out the new Battery I just bought Saturday was BAD. They tested the replacement, just in case.

    Now I wonder if I should remove the new Power Converter and reinstall the original to see if that was good or not. I suppose my time is worth a return to Amazon.

    Is there anyway to test a power converter without full installation?

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