Aliner electrical problems - need advice

[kaliuma]

Hello! We recently installed a new WPCO-8725P power center and new fully charged battery in our 2008 Aliner Scout. Here are some problems we are having:

When we are plugged into shore power, and the battery is CONNECTED, all electrical works, but the power center fan runs constantly.

When we are plugged into shore power, and the battery is DISCONNECTED, all electrical works, and the power center fan does not run.

When we unplug from shore power, and the battery is connected, we have no electrical power.

So it seems like there is a disconnect between the battery and the power center. Assuming everything is installed correctly, any ideas? Could a faulty circuit breaker cause this set of circumstances?

Learning as I go.....Susan

[j-d]

Susan, thanks for the update! Been wondering..

All, no substitute for a careful visual inspection. The wiring probably got "worried" by pulling the battery in and out. ALiner I worked on had the battery in a box on the tongue, so wiring was exposed to the weather.

[enblethen]

Thanks for the update!
Good travels!

[kaliuma]

The problem was broken wires between battery and converter, located near where battery wires go into body of trailer. Other than that, everything is great! Battery good, converter good, all in working order.

Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn.
C. S. Lewis

Thanks! Susan

[jmckelvy]

Assuming the power center is good, the fan running indicates the unit is supplying enough output current that it needs to turn on the fan to provide cooling for the internal electronics. Since with the battery connected or disconnected you say everything works the WFCO is functioning. The problem is somewhere between the power center connection to the battery or the battery itself. I suspect the wiring as you say no electrical with the power center turned off.

When disconnecting the battery allowing the fan to stop EXACTLY where are you breaking the connection? At the power center end or at the battery end or somewhere else.

[j-d]

Can you post a Wiring Diagram and/or pictures of the installation?

[kaliuma]

1. Pretty sure battery was never hooked up wrong. The reason I'm sure is that I argued with hubby telling him "black is always negative." Looked it up, he was right, black is positive as he already knew.

2. Tested all fuses with multimeter. All had zero resistance.

3. Couldn't find the auto reset breaker, and it isn't referred to in Aliner manual. Does that mean it doesn't exist?

4. Battery new, no corrosion on connections.

5. Wiring problem or defective power center. That seems to be the $115 question. Since that is how much it will cost for the RV repair shop to look at it tomorrow.

I emailed my dilemma to WFCO and they replied that it is probably a wiring issue.

Thanks for the the video and for your thoughtful response. Hopefully the repair shop will solve the mystery and I will report back for posterity!

[handye9]

Here is a video that may help with your trouble shooting. Click here.

Somewhere between the battery and power center, there is a problem with either a grounding connection, or a hot wire connection / fuse / breaker.

From reading the Aliner users manual, there are three wires connecting to your battery. The one with the inline fuse is the positive (hot) wire, connects to positive battery post. The two white wires connect to negative side.

From reading the manual on the power center, the bottom fuse is reverse polarity protection. It is supposed to blow, if you connect the battery wrong.

Here are a few possibilities:

1. It's possible the battery got hooked up wrong, the fuse didn't do it's job, and there was damage to the power center.

2. It's possible a fuse is blown and does not look blown.

3. It's possible, there is a short stop (AKA auto reset / manual reset) breaker, in addition to the fuses in the battery circuit.

4. Could be corrosion on battery connections.

5. It's also possible, hubby did everything right, but, the new power center is defective from the manufacturer.

[kaliuma]

All fuses checked and accounted for.

"But if your WFCO is properly connected...Then it is in PARALLEL with the batteries so if the lights work on shore power, they MUST work on battery power" If this is true, I wonder if the WFCO is NOT properly connected. Since lights DO work on shore power and DO NOT work on battery.

Disclaimer: my smart and handy husband installed converter and is vehement that it is installed "the same way the old unit was installed."

Guess I gotta go tribble hunting now for connector/wire problems.

Just to be clear, we are talking about a rolling tent (2008 Aliner folding trailer with two interior convenience lights and a propane furnace), so pretty simple set-up. There IS indeed a battery fuse which I discovered by reading the owner's manual.

Appt. at local trailer repair shop on Friday, if mystery is not solved by then. Will report findings!

Susan

[wa8yxm]

Ok,if battery connect connected.....

On the schematic for my battery control system it shows two 30 amp breakers, in parallel in the bottom of the control center box

Some units have fuses

Some have manual reset breakers located elsewhere

Some have auto-reset breakers

But if your WFCO is properly connected...Then it is in PARALLEL with the batteries so if the lights work on shore power, they MUST work on battery power

Tribble slaying:

Get a test light (Auto parts store/department, looks like an ice pick with a wire coming out of a translucent/clear plastic handle with a light bulb

Start at the batteries..Clip to NEgative tip to positive, Bright light = GOOD (Dim or dark = bad)

Move clip to frame (non-painted part) same test

Move out along the POSITIVE WIRE

heck the terminal, Check the wire (Point can penetrate insulation) Check the lug at the other end, whatever device that is connected to check the other side.

ONE caution, Any time you move the ground clip check a KNOWN good test point to insure good ground

When the light no longer lights.. Look between LIGHT and DARK for the problem.

I have found
Blown fuses
bad connectors
Dirty connectors
Bad wires (two different wires in two different systems)

[SoundGuy]

kaliuma wrote:
Battery is connected properly, not shorted and fully charged. Converter is connected exactly as the old one was connected (the old one worked for years before it stopped working). All fuses, including battery fuse, tested and good. Almost ready to throw in the towel and take to the RV repair shop. Any last words?

Not sure what "battery fuse" you're referring to but trailer's these days usually have a "resettable circuit breaker" wired to (and near) the battery's positive terminal - obviously if it's open you won't get any battery power feeding the trailer nor will the charging circuit within your converter be able to charge the battery.

[kaliuma]

Battery is connected properly, not shorted and fully charged. Converter is connected exactly as the old one was connected (the old one worked for years before it stopped working). All fuses, including battery fuse, tested and good. Almost ready to throw in the towel and take to the RV repair shop. Any last words?

[wa8yxm]

On many RVs there is indeed a battery disconnect.. Often the control switch is just inside the door (We call that a salesman switch)but it may also be in an overhead panel,On the dash (Of a motorhome) or in the master control center.

[Shadow_Catcher]

A VOM/multimeter is your friend, even a cheap one can help trace electrical problems, Is the Wafco working properly (it may not be) they have a poor reputation. it will also tell you if things are hooked up correctly.

[kaliuma]

Really appreciate your input.
Will test battery and check that it is hooked up properly.
Thanks!