Electrical issue

[Gus976]

Hi,

We took our 2008 palomino pop up tent trailer out for the second time (bought used this spring) this year and the lights on the ceiling and the fan ( heater) do not work. The outside lights do. They did the last trip.

So I thought it was either the breakers or fuses so I reset the breakers and ended up changing all the fuses in the converter box (just in case) and still nothing.

Where to next? Any detailed help (I will try anything once but am not very electrical savvy) would be greatly appreciated.

Gus

[donn]

Dead Battery? That is the first thing I would look at. Are you plugged into 120VAC? If you have a known battery with a full charge and are plugged into 120VAC then it is time to get the volt meter out and start at the start.

[Gus976]

That is plugged into the 30 amp socket.

[Gus976]

And where is the start?

[donn]

Are you using an adapter? get rid of it. Is the battery fully charged? Take it out and put it on a battery charger. With a volt meter in hand start taking readings at every point along the route from the house out. That is what I mean by the start. Once you have a fully charged battery start taking voltage readings at the fuses. 12VDC or no 12VDC. If no volts, then go back toward the battery. If volts, go to the next connection/place you can get a reading toward the light. Voltage is like water, you turn it on or off to get current flow or stop the flow. There are valves (switches) in the circuits to control flow. It aint rocket science, but it does take some knowledge and understanding of electricity to find a problem.

[Gus976]

Before I go to such lengths (which I do appreciate the comments) - could I be missing something smaller? Could there be a fuse someplace that I have not changed? Or a breaker?

I''m not against the hints but deep down - this just sounds like a fuse being blown kind of issue.

Gus

[Acableguy06]

On pop ups isnt there a plug or cord to plug in when you raise the roof? I think some popups you plug this in after roof is up. Maybe this wire got pinched / cut when put down or isn't plugged in. If you can UN plug it I would check for 12vdc there. this cord feeds the roof mounted 12v accessories.

[donn]

If you have 120VAC to the converter then you should have power to the lights, etc. If you do not have 120VAC to the converter and the battery is dead you will have nothing. There is maybe a main fuse at or near the battery, But you still need to get out the VOM and start checking. Looking at things does not always work. There is no substitution for not physically checking IMHO.

[buzzards27]

Originally Posted by Gus976

And where is the start?

Not sure what power center you have, on mine there are two 40 amp fuses, if you have those check them. The easiest way the find the problem is with a multimeter. Check your battery first and work your way toward the dead circuits. Red test probe on the power terminal (positive), usually red and the black test probe on the negative terminal.

[bikendan]

first, since your issue may be unique to popups/tent trailers, you should post a similar question in the Tent Camper section here at FRF.
from what i remember, our popup lights wouldn't work unless we flipped the sink counter up onto a white plunger. by pushing it down, it connected the lights and inside stuff.
you may have a similar switch that's not working.
it's basically a kill switch.

[Gus976]

Originally Posted by buzzards27

Not sure what power center you have, on mine there are two 40 amp fuses, if you have those check them. The easiest way the find the problem is with a multimeter. Check your battery first and work your way toward the dead circuits. Red test probe on the power terminal (positive), usually red and the black test probe on the negative terminal.

Where are these two usually located?

[Gus976]

Originally Posted by bikendan

first, since your issue may be unique to popups/tent trailers, you should post a similar question in the Tent Camper section here at FRF.
from what i remember, our popup lights wouldn't work unless we flipped the sink counter up onto a white plunger. by pushing it down, it connected the lights and inside stuff.
you may have a similar switch that's not working.
it's basically a kill switch.

Excellent idea...just check....looks fine. Thanks for the info though.

[buzzards27]

Originally Posted by Gus976

Where are these two usually located?

For our WFCO 8955 power center they are on the low voltage circuit board to the left of the the fuses for the branch circuits.

[orend]

I have a 2004 georgetown ,there is a fuse box located intne bedroom, I can't find any guide for that box there are about 18-20 15 amp fuses I have lights that do not work inthe living room, but can't find what fuse goes to what HELP
Butch

[08flagvlite]

Gus976, I think I would check on that switch on the galley if yours has that, as my Coleman/Fleetwood pop up that I owned had that same setup, and I had to replace that switch, because it went bad, and I had the same results; the outside light would work, but nothing inside. You should have some type of button or kill switch on there. Also, on another Coleman I had, the wires got pinched where the top closes down on the bottom section, and ended up breaking the wire inside of the sheathing, where I really couldn't see it! My neighbor found that for me! So, my suggestion is to check those connections, probably there lies your issues. Good luck, Randy

[Herk7769]

Gus,

My money is on some variation of Acableguy06, bikendan, and 08flagvlite's advice. Could also be a corroded connection on the back side of that switch. Simplest answer that explains the facts is always right
(Occam's Razor).

[Gus976]

Thanks for the info...will play with it this weekend and let everyone know the outcome!

Thank you all again!!
Gus

[mikegp1]

I agree with everyone above. Im leading towards a bad switch, loose connection, or a weak breaker.