Forum Discussion

Mogy's avatar
Mogy
Explorer
Nov 21, 2015

Weird battery power problem

Hi all. I have a 2012 Arctic Fox 1150 with two group 29 batteries. Also have a 240 w solar panel. Have always had weird problems, like not being able to run all 4 jacks at the same time - a relay (or breaker) would kick out, then reset itself with an audible click after a few seconds and I can continue (plugging into shore power doesn't help). Running 2 jacks at a time is OK tho. I replaced the batteries, didn't help. Also, 2 or 3 times when we were out in the boonies, the power just died like someone hit a switch. We were only running one light at the time so almost no draw. After 10 seconds or so it reset and power would come back. Now I have no power at all on battery - dead. However, on shore power everything is fine. Fuses are all ok, and batteries test ok - I'm guessing a component failed, but I don't know what. Any guesses? Let me know if I omitted any pertinent data.
Thanks!
Truck Campers
  • Junket's avatar
    Junket
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2015
    I had s chased a similar problem a year but only when I used the slid was a bad ground no more problem.
    Ken
  • Mogy's avatar
    Mogy
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2015
    Thanks for the replies. I did replace the switch and I again have battery power! The photo doesn't show it, but the wires are held in place by a clip just out of the photo, so shouldn't be any weight on it. However, the mounting bracket of the dead one was bent a couple of different ways so clearly it had some stress on it at some point. Hopefully the problem is solved, and I learned something in the process.

    Good idea about the separate power line for the jacks, too.
  • Driftwood132's avatar
    Driftwood132
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2015
    Something I did was to run a separate fused wire to the jack controller. No more problems . If you lost power to the camper that way the jacks will still work unless the batteries went dead.
  • 2oldnslow's avatar
    2oldnslow
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2015
    Your description sounds like a mechanical failure inside the breaker.

    You might want to use "P" clamps or something to support those cables close to the breaker. The weight of them hanging on the terminals may be what caused it to fail.
  • Mogy's avatar
    Mogy
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2015
    Good to know - thanks! The connections are tight so I'm guessing something is broken internally. Fortunately they're not expensive to replace.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Nov 21, 2015
    Auto reset breaker. Loose wires? If not, replace it. Possibly broken inside the case
  • Mogy's avatar
    Mogy
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2015
    Thanks - I did call the folks at Rieco Titan (who made the jacks) and they advised that all 4 jacks should be able to be used at once in this camper. I haven't added up the loads though - this wouldn't explain the power drops when the jacks aren't in use.

    However, I was just out with a meter trying to troubleshoot. Does anybody know what this thing is?



    I noticed there was power to the right side, but not to the left. When I wiggle it, battery power comes back on briefly - but it won't stay on. The connections are tight, so that's not it.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Nov 21, 2015
    Real simple. The jacks require more power (amps) than the resettable overload is rated for. Check the rated full load amp rating for each jack, add them up. If the number is greater than the overload, you have your answer. If less, start looking for loose or corroded connections. Also check wire size. Undersized wire could be overheating.

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