Electrical problems in my 2005 Prowler 240BH

[mota32]

I just bought Fleetwood Prowler 240BH. When I hooked it up to my truck to tow it some of the lights were on and I turned them off. I bought an adaptor to change to plug and plugged it in at my house. When I did only the tv and microwave work. Checked breakers theyre fine. I charged deep cycle battery all night but nothing works when not plugged in. Am I missing something as this is my first camper

[Boband4]

Have you found the fuse/circuit breaker panel? If so, the converter is usually right there with them. Now that you have a new battery, check the voltage at the battery terminals while plugged into shore power. If you are seeing 13.4 volts your converter is charging. Then you would have to decide if you want to upgrade to a multi-stage converter.

[mota32]

battery was bad. replaced it now all the lights work . I cant find the power convertor. looked everywhere. found panel lifted bunk bed see where power comes in the cord terminates into a junction box then zi guess it goes under TT.

[handye9]

Could be blown fuse (inline on positive battery lead). Could be bad battery. Could be battery disconnect switch. Could be bad battery and converter. Could be bad converter.

If the battery has an internal short, it will not hold a charge (no matter how long you charge it). In some cases it will act like a very large resistor, and draw more power (trying to charge) than what your converter is capable of putting out. Thus, when plugged into shore power, all the 12 volt from your converter is going to the battery, and your lights may be dim, or not working at all.

Check for battery disconnect switch (may be turned off), check for blown fuse (near the battery), and take the battery to be load tested.

I would suspect the battery (first), battery disconnect (second), fuse (third), and converter (last).

[myredracer]

mota32 wrote:
when the extension cord is plugged into house only t.v. and microwave work. when plugged to my vehicle at hitch low voltage lights work. If neither nothing works

TV (probably) and MW are 120 volts. Means you are getting 120V into TT okay. Try plugging in anything that is 120 volts into all the receptacles and see if they work - hairdryer, table lamp, etc. or use a voltmeter.

If only 12 volts inside TT when connected to tow vehicle, then battery and converter are not working. The battery could be dead if the converter is not putting out anything. How old is the battery and is there any electrolyte in the cells? You might try connecting your tow vehicle's battery to the TT (disconnect old battery first) with jumper cables and see if the 12 volt system inside the TT works via the TT's battery connections.

If you don't have a voltmeter, I would go get one. Check and see if the converter is putting out 13+ volts right at the converter panel (remove cover to get to connections).

[Old-Biscuit]

When plugged into shore power converter should supply 12V DC

When not plugged into shore power battery should supply 12VV DC

Your truck is supplying 12V DC when connected to truck



Sounds like you need a new battery and a new converter.

when connected to shore power..converter output should be at least 13.2V DC

[mota32]

when the extension cord is plugged into house only t.v. and microwave work. when plugged to my vehicle at hitch low voltage lights work. If neither nothing works

[RoyB]

This is a neat 30AMP Power plan for most trailers... Gives you an idea what runs off the 120VAC and what runs off the batteries.


The first that comes to my mind is to check the GFCI breakers. I have three in my trailer. These may have other 120VAC receptacles down the line controlled by the one GFCI breaker. Make sure all of these are reset. There are the ones that have the PUSH BUTTON in the center of the receptacle. Just about anywhere you can come in contact with water you should have one installed there.


The charging is accomplished by the converter/charger unit and it has to be plugged into 120VAC. After you are sure it is putting out DC CHARGING VOLTAGEs and you still do not see any increase when looking at the battery 12VDC then you may now have a coupe of fuses blow on the 12VDC Power Distribution Panel. These will be two fuses labeled REVERSE POLARITY. Need to check those.

A DC VOLTMETER goes along way when around RV'ers.. This takes the guessing out of the problems... These are very inexpensives if you don't have one. They cost from $7-$20 dollars from LOWES-WALMART-AMAZON-etc...


Once you get familiar how most of your trailer works this will all become second nature for you...

Just a couple of my thoughts
Roy Ken

[myredracer]

What exactly doesn't work? Just 12 volt things? If the converter is getting 120 volts okay, it should operate 12 volt lights and other things even if the battery is no good. Have you checked all the 12 volt fuses in the converter panel? If you disconnect the 120 volts, does anything in the 12 volt system work? If you have a voltmeter, you could check and see if the converter is putting out anything. If an older TT, the converter could even be shot. I would remove the cover of the converter and see if there is a buildup of dust inside. This can happen which will lead to overheating and failure.

If an older unit, I would suspect bad connections in the 12 volt system. I'd check the battery ground to frame connection and the positive connections from the battery to the mini-circuit breaker(s) in the A-frame. Since these are outside in the elements, the connections can corrode sometimes.

Or it could just be an old battery that needs replacing and/or wasn't looked after (low electrolyte level).

Have you checked for 120 volts at all the various receptacles? Many are connected to a GFCI recept. somewhere. The GFCI breaker can occasionally be hard to find and sometimes there is more than one. If the MW and TV are working, the 120V system is likely fine.

FWIW, be cautious when using those "puck" style 30A to 15A adapters as they can overheat. A dogbone style is better. Also, never plug your TT in when the power is on. Always turn off the supply breaker in a CG pedestal or in your panel at home. If you don't, the plug blades and interior of the receptacle will get pitted and you will eventually get overheating and a possible meltdown.

[2oldman]

battery