Nothing works..

[Westsidebob]

Maybe someone can help me out a bit with this issue I'm having. I have a brand spanking new Autumn Ridge by Starcraft, the other day after a successful camping trip everything electrical quit working. I hooked up the rv and headed for my storage and everything was fine, when I got there the electric tongue jack wouldn't work, then I noticed nothing electrical worked. My running lights work, but nothing else. I reset my circuit breakers to no avail. I'm not exactly new to rv'ing, but I don't know much about the electrical system. Any ideas on what I can check? Thanks for any information.

[MNtundraRet]

Harvey51 wrote:
X2 on the meter! The engine alternator provides about 14 volts. Put your meter on a DC 20 volt range, then leads on the engine battery posts when the engine is running and you should see about 14 volts. Then do the same for the auxiliary house battery and you should see the same 14 volts. If not, it isn't connected to the engine.

You can use the meter to tell how well the batteries are charged, too.

We find that engine charging of the house battery works very well if we just take a little drive every day when camping. We have no generator and we never stay at campsites with electric plugins.

You have a MH like me with large cables for charging battery-bank from alternator.

A pickup can only send 10 amps per hour with engine running at best. The 7-pin connector's wire to battery for charging can only handle that much. Don't forget that the trailer lights for brakes, turn-signals, and braking use the rest (on separate circuits) coming from the truck alternator.

[DutchmenSport]

Westsidebob wrote:
Thank you all so much, dead battery it is! Don't I feel silly!

Now the next step is to determine why it went dead in the first place. What is drawing on it that ran it down so the next time you are sure the battery is completely disconnected or switched off.

[Westsidebob]

Thank you all so much, dead battery it is! Don't I feel silly!

[Harvey51]

X2 on the meter! The engine alternator provides about 14 volts. Put your meter on a DC 20 volt range, then leads on the engine battery posts when the engine is running and you should see about 14 volts. Then do the same for the auxiliary house battery and you should see the same 14 volts. If not, it isn't connected to the engine.

You can use the meter to tell how well the batteries are charged, too.

We find that engine charging of the house battery works very well if we just take a little drive every day when camping. We have no generator and we never stay at campsites with electric plugins.

[wbwood]

I would say battery. But since it's new, take it back to the dealer and have them check it. You paid a pretty penny for your RV, let those responsible for it during your warranty do their job.

[dodgerdog]

check battery... take out and charge seperate if you can... Check Breakers, Check for loose wires in the converter area... Check fuses... See if shore power works...

Mike C.

[wa8yxm]

Key Phrase: Brand Spanking New.

Symptoms: Everythind worked at CG (plugged into shore power)
Nothing works at Storage lot (no shore power)

Suspescion: Batteries are in DISCONNECT mode, switch normally just inside the door (If you have stairs in the stair well).

[Caveman_Charlie]

RE_Todd wrote:
12 volt disconnect switch??

Yes, some campers have them. Sometimes it is located in a storage compartment near the battery's. Could it have gotten bumped by something while you were driving to the storage lot?

[bikendan]

Westsidebob wrote:
My battery is totally dead, I was under the impression that if the rv was plugged into the truck, everything should work, am I mistaken?

probably not if the trailer battery is totally dead. and it would help if you posted your tow vehicle's info.

just so you know, most tow vehicle will only provide a trickle charge while driving.

sounds like you need to install a battery disconnect switch on your trailer.

[westend]

Your battery/s in the rig will go dead in short order if not charged continually or disconnected from the inside 12V system. There are a few parasitic draws like alarms, circuit boards, radios, etc. that will drain a battery. If your towing vehicle didn't keep the battery charged, it is like others posted, a relay or fuse needs to be added to the vehicle's distribution box. Check your owner's manual.

BTW, a hand held electrical meter will serve you well for diagnosing electrical issues in the future. Every RV'er should have one.

[RE_Todd]

12 volt disconnect switch??

[robsouth]

Generally, the circuit breakers are for 120 volt supply and the 12 volt supply depends on fuses. I bet you have a bad fuse or missing fuse somewhere or a bad connection as suggested, but you would have to be hooked to shore power to test the circuit breakers.

[jaycocamprs]

The 2001-2007 GM trucks did not have the fuse installed in the charge line from the factory. And I have had them blow also. They will keep up with the draw from the fridge and charge some, but slowly.

[GaryWT]

Were you plugged in while camping? Was the battery fine when you left the site, ie. had you unplugged but then used the power jack to hook up.