Should Slide Work With 12v Power Only?

[Colberjs]

Hi folks. I'm new to the forum and have tried searching for the answer to my question to no avail.

We just bought a 2011 Conquest with a slide and the slide works just fine when plugged into shore power but it doesn't do anything at all on 12v power only. It doesn't even make any noise like it's trying to do something. Is this normal or should it work via 12v also?

Thanks for your time.

[time2roll]

I do recommend two batteries for boondocking even with a generator.
Measure what fits as size matters. 2x group 27 is good.
Or two Golf Car batteries often works well. Although a little taller they have a smaller footprint. These are 6v and need to be connected in series.

The 12 Volt Side of Life

Also time to review your converter as most just slow charge at 13.6 volts. A multistage converter works far better to minimize generator run time.

[Colberjs]

There is a possibility of using it for boondockinh at deer camp a couple times a year for 3-4 days at a time. But I have a generator I could take to charge the batteries at our peak usage times. The rest of the time will be almost entirely campground use.

[time2roll]

Colberjs wrote:
So I guess we're battery shopping. Any recommendations on batteries? O'Reilly's had a comparable battery for $84.

That battery is fine for general use. So is Costco or WalMart.

If you are camping off-grid is when the battery starts to matter.

[CA_Traveler]

Consider installing a battery from say a auto for a weekend test and if it meets your expectations then just replace the current battery with a deep cycle marine battery (a compromised starting battery).

Otherwise there are many battery upgrade options depending upon a host of parameters.

[Colberjs]

I had the trailer plugged in to 110v for several hours yesterday and still didn't have lights when I unplugged it. I left the battery on a charger in the shop all night and my wife just took it to O'Reilly's and it only had 7v.

So I guess we're battery shopping. Any recommendations on batteries? O'Reilly's had a comparable battery for $84.

[corvettekent]

Colberjs wrote:
I replaced that fuse and voila, power at the plug. Plugged in the trailer and had lights and slide action.

Sounds like you found and fixed the problem.

Does the battery charge off of shore power? Yes.

Would the 30 amp fuse being out prevent it from charging? Yes.

Now plug in your trailer to 110 and the converter will charge the battery.

[Colberjs]

I'm not sure if mine does or not. I used my led test light to check the battery again and it has enough power to light the led (which doesn't have to be much I don't think) and it has power at the distribution box and at behind every fuse. But nothing will come on. So I'm guessing bad battery. I pulled the battery and put it on a charger for the night and will have my wife take it to O'Reillys tomorrow to have it tested.

If it's bad, what do I. We'd to look for in a new battery? Deep cycle, obviously, but what kind of amperage, etc.?

[time2roll]

My slide connects direct to the battery. Not through the 12v distribution center.

[Colberjs]

I've found the fuse box and checked it multiple times. I don't see any master disconnect except the main 120v breaker.

I'll try to find a volt meter tomorrow and check the battery.

[SprinklerMan]

Look around for the 12 volt fuse box . There can be a master disconnect switch , if its off you have nothing

[JWRoberts]

Another question. I was told not to slide the side out without the jacks down. Can it be slid out enough to squeeze by to the restroom without causing damage or should I not move it at all?

Yes

[CA_Traveler]

Buy a $10 digital voltmeter and use it. Your batteries may be toast - have them load checked at a auto store for free. Battery should charge from shore power.

You're soon to really learn a hard lesson - never ever buy a rig that you cannot access critical areas like the bathroom with the slides in.

[Colberjs]

I haven't seen anything that looks like that on my trailer. I did replace the 30 amp fuse and still had nothing, not even lights, on battery only. I plugged it into the truck, and still nothing. I used a test light to deduce that I wasn't getting power to the 12v terminal at the plug on my truck. A quick check of the fuse box under the hood explained why. I replaced that fuse and voila, power at the plug. Plugged in the trailer and had lights and slide action. I don't have a volt meter anymore, but the test light said there was at least some power in the battery with the vehicle unplugged and shore power unplugged.

Does the battery charge off of shore power? Would the 30 amp fuse being out prevent it from charging? Maybe I just wasn't getting any charging from either source. I have the truck plugged up and running right now to try and get some charge to the battery.

[SoundGuy]

Colberjs wrote:
I just went out and checked and nothing works on 12v only. There is a 30 amp fuse inline on a green wire coming directly off the positive battery terminal that is blown. I'm assuming this is the root of my problems. I'll try to find a replacement tomorrow.

That shouldn't be a fuse but a resettable circuit breaker. Most are auto resetting so it yours hasn't reset it's either a manual reset version or has been irreparably damaged and would need to be replaced.