Power issues

JJankows · 09-09-2010, 04:03 PM

We have been having an issue where even though the battery is fully charged, nothing ever runs in the camper off the battery. We are fine on AC power. This past weekend we were at a family BBQ, and camping out. One of the guys pulled out a multi-meter and check the battery, great power. He check all the fuses no issues. The fuse in the truck is brand new, we have an F-150. He continued to check the electrical, and tested a small circuit breaker located between the battery, and the junction box going into the camper. He completed the circuit with the test clip, and low and behold, we had power in the camper from the battery. I just removed the part from the trailer frame. It was underneath, and pretty hard to get off. I stripped one of the screws but, used a penetrating lubricant, and twisted the screw out of the trailer frame with a pair of linemen's tools. The part is called a Shortstop, it is a 12/24V L53 40A, circuit breaker. The part is listed in my local RV shops book for $4.29 but, I've seen them on-line for half that price. We will be getting the part this weekend. I will post with the results of this adventure.

**Bama Rambler** · 09-10-2010, 10:19 AM

That's a pretty common issue. There have been several instances of that breaker failing to automatically reset. I'd use dielectric grease or sealant when putting it back together.

ransac · 09-10-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJankows

We have been having an issue where even though the battery is fully charged, nothing ever runs in the camper off the battery. We are fine on AC power. This past weekend we were at a family BBQ, and camping out. One of the guys pulled out a multi-meter and check the battery, great power. He check all the fuses no issues. The fuse in the truck is brand new, we have an F-150. He continued to check the electrical, and tested a small circuit breaker located between the battery, and the junction box going into the camper. He completed the circuit with the test clip, and low and behold, we had power in the camper from the battery. I just removed the part from the trailer frame. It was underneath, and pretty hard to get off. I stripped one of the screws but, used a penetrating lubricant, and twisted the screw out of the trailer frame with a pair of linemen's tools. The part is called a Shortstop, it is a 12/24V L53 40A, circuit breaker. The part is listed in my local RV shops book for $4.29 but, I've seen them on-line for half that price. We will be getting the part this weekend. I will post with the results of this adventure.

I have been having the same issue with my 19' shamrock, but will be darned if I can find that circuit breaker on this camper.

08flagvlite · 09-10-2010, 03:55 PM

Hi ransac. If you'll follow the wires from the battery on the tongue, the other end of those wires IS connected to that junction block/fuse. It is usually just under the tongue area on the frame. You'll have to crawl under to see it. Mine went bad when my camper was 3 months old!!! Randy

ransac · 09-11-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08flagvlite

Hi ransac. If you'll follow the wires from the battery on the tongue, the other end of those wires IS connected to that junction block/fuse. It is usually just under the tongue area on the frame. You'll have to crawl under to see it. Mine went bad when my camper was 3 months old!!! Randy

well of course you were right, I did find it as described tucked up by the junction box. Breaker was very ripe and fell apart when i took it off. Went to auto parts store and got another, replaced and still no 12v. Thought then it was a ground problem and troubleshot that until electrition freind stopped by, and he promply told me the battery terminal connections were reversed. Changed that and all is well. Thanks for you help.

JJankows · 10-07-2010, 10:41 AM

Sorry for the delay in this post. We got the new circuit breaker, and installed the part. We are camping this weekend, and will have a chance to see if this solved our problem.

DCRC · 10-07-2010, 11:57 AM

Some are auto reset and some are manual reset with a little button on one end.

JJankows · 07-06-2012, 03:24 PM

Seems that we are having a possible issue with this converter again, this time everytime we plug into a GFI outlet we trip the switch. We have been able to plug into the outlet before without issues. Could there be a short that may be causing this issue or could it be the converters take a beating and need to be replaced periodically?

Broadway Joe · 07-07-2012, 10:32 PM

The converter is used to supply 12 vdc and charge the battery. If you are tripping a GFI the problem is either the GFI is bad or you have an electrical problem on that circuit.

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