Forum Discussion

Graynomad's avatar
Graynomad
Explorer
Nov 28, 2015

Fifth wheel 12 volt trouble shooting

My KZ fifth wheel. Has a generator I've owned unit for 11 years
My problem just surfaced today.
While plugged in at home to my shore power all was well this past week , last night I lost all 12 volt .
Tried some fuse checks etc found nothing faulty.
When I started generator my 12 volt circuits in unit all work fine.
So when on shore power little or no 12 volt
With generator all works
Is it the converter?
Pulling what hair I have out over this one.
Thanks for any help
  • IS your 5vr 50A?

    Shore power and gen are separate sources (feeds) of AC power UNTIL transfer switch then they are same out of transfer switch

    You have lost one of the HOT legs on shore power going to or in transfer switch
    Shore power only powering one bus in MAIN AC Panel and converter feed is NOT on that bus....hence no 12V DC

    Gen feeds both Hot legs thru it's side of transfer switch so your MAIN AC panel buses are hot and feed converter....hence 12V DC

    Your battery is shot OR disconnect switch is OFF hence no 12V DC from battery
  • If the batteries are good and have good connections, you should have some 12 V power ALL of the time. Even if the batteries are mostly discharged, you should have SOME voltage; they seldom go completely dead.

    So.....if you have NO 12 V power when connected to shore power, then the batteries are bad AND the converter is shot too.

    You NEED a meter......or a shop visit.
  • Doubtful of being converter as it works with genset.
    To clarify genset is an on board hooked up through transfer switch? Transfer switch could be the problem.
  • Did you have 110 on shore power?? Do you have a transfer switch for shore power & generator? Your 12 volt comes from 2 sources battery power and converter power. Shore power and generator, power the converter. So if your getting 12 volt on generator power and not on shore power the power source from shore power to the converter is at fault.