New Camper owner with Electrical question

Ok. So you've definitely confirmed my suspicions that there's something...askew with my wiring. The trailer is parked at my storage lot right now so I'll have to do some more looking next time I have it at my house. Thanks for your help thus far. I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions regarding this in the future.

mbopp wrote:
Very strange. The previous owner didn't install an inverter and transfer switch, did they? Or maybe kept the inverter and you still have the transfer switch?

x2, IMO previous owner did some creative wiring .

here is some rv elec. info re: inverters/converters/running off batteries and shore power. It might offer the info you need.

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/22842478/print/true.cfm

I found a manual for your camper here:
http://www.cunninghamcampers.com/fckimages/1996CT.pdf

Description of the electrical begins on Pg 34. Maybe this will help?

I'm having trouble visualizing your system - it sounds different than a "regular" travel trailer...

So let's check systems:

Lights: Batt Yes, Conv Yes
WaterPump: Batt ? Conv ?
Air Cond: Batt No, Conv Yes
120V outlets: Batt No, Conv No (unless Batt disconnected!!)
Elect Lift?


As I read it, everything except the 120V outlets & AirCond should work with the Batt/Conv switch in either position.

The 120 & AC should only work in Conv mode, when power is plugged in (like the Gen), but you are saying only the AC works - not the outlets.

?and the outlets start working when the battery is disconnected?

If that's the case, sounds like something's wonky inside the converter - As was mentioned, the outlets and battery shouldn't have anything to do with each other unless an inverter was installed later.

I know this is kinda rambling- just muttering to myself while trying to picture the issue.

I've only got 2 breakers. They're both untripped. The GFCI is untripped. To further confuse the matter; the situation described all happens when I'm switched to "battery". When I switch to "converter" nothing works at all.

This is a simplified electrical configuration for the 30AMP TRAILER...


Might give you some ideas on how the typical RV trailer electrical works...

The 120VAC electrical receptacles are prone to being tripped OFF under certain conditions with a tripped GFCI receptacle. You should have one of these whereever you may come in contact with water. They have push button on the face of the receptacle..


Power up again on 120VAC and make sure all of the 120VAC Receptacles are reset by pushing the buttons on the face...

Also realize that all of us like to mod our trailers and there is a big possibility that your older trailer has had some electrical mods done to it...

Roy Ken

So on Generator power, the Air Conditioner works, but no outlets do? Did you check your breakers?

Very strange. The previous owner didn't install an inverter and transfer switch, did they? Or maybe kept the inverter and you still have the transfer switch?

derfiticulum wrote:
.. the AC will now work but the outlets still do not. They won't begin working until I physically unhook the battery. Any ideas? Thanks!

No, that is very strange and I have no explanation. Just for drill make sure your battery is good and your converter is ok.

Perhaps the previous owner did some creative wiring.

Odd, the 110v outlets should have nothing to do with the battery.