Low electricity problem

archer_310 wrote:
He's actually using my battery and has checked the electolyte? level and says that it is good.
The jacks and slideouts should work no problem on AC, so I can't see the battery being the problem.

FYI, all 12 volt systems run through the battery regardless of whether or not you are on shore power.

Haven't talked directly to my Dad yet today, but indirectly it apparently was a battery problem, plus something to do with a cable. Very strange as I run my 5th wheel WITHOUT a battery and operate the legs and slideouts using AC only. That's why it didn't make sense to me why he couldn't do the same when plugged into the house AC. Are different trailers wired differently in this regard?

Landing gear, slideouts are wired DIRECTLY to battery due to high amp draw (30A +)

Converter helps when connected to AC power by going into boost mode and sending high DC voltage to charge battery while operating landing gear/slideouts

BUT w/o AC power a good battery should/can provide necessary voltage to operate landing gear/slideouts

Your DAD's issue is bad/weak battery

And since you stated he is using YOURS then you might also want to check the converter 'reverse polarity' fuses and the battery positive cable to converter in-line fuse (or circuit breaker) to see of blown/tripped
Polarity fuses on converter
In-line fuse/CB should be in basement compartment (probably front compartment) close to battery ---just follow pos cable.

If either blown....converter can NOT charge battery

Low electricity? Never heard that one. 1. You need to measure the battery voltage at the battery with a volt meter. If you don't know how, get a friend or fellow camper to assist. If it is below 12 volts it has probably been there for some time and has likely caused some damage to the battery. 2. look for a battery disconnect switch. Is it on or off? If off, turn it on and again check the battery voltage. It should be higher than before and increasing. If on or nonexistent start checking battery connections and ground connections. Report your findings back.

Battery, connections or cables. Bend the cables, they should be stiff. Often corrosion will work its way up the cables inside the insulation. You will get major voltage drop between the batteries and the DC powered items if the cables are corroded inside. Not good enough to just check the voltage at the batteries.

archer_310 wrote:
He's actually using my battery and has checked the electolyte? level and says that it is good.

Is the voltage level good?

Need to separate the battery and converter and test individually.

A converter alone will not provide enough amps. to run the hyd. pump or power the jacks on the Montana. My Montana has a stand alone converter ad it only puts out 55amps. Hyd. pump requires much more than that.

archer_310 wrote:
The jacks and slideouts should work no problem on AC, so I can't see the battery being the problem.

Not so... you need the battery for jacks and slideouts!!

Make sure the battery ground to the rig is clean/tight - people forget that clean battery terminals aren't the only thing you have to check.