Battery power to trailer intermittent

mdebiasi · 09-09-2018, 11:09 PM

I have a 2019 Cherokee Wolf Pup 16bhs and found that after camping and disconnecting shore power that nothing would run off of battery. Checking battery with a multimeter showed 13.1v. I then discovered that the screw where all the positive wires connect to has play in it. I tightened nut but still have play with the screw. When pushing it in I discovered that power to inside of trailer restored but when towing the vibration from towing would cause issue to return. Not sure how to get rid of this play on the entire screw assembly. Anyone ever had this happen to them?

babock · 09-09-2018, 11:18 PM

I would replace that circuit breaker. It is probably loose because someone over tightened it at some point and broke it internally.

TheGerman · 09-09-2018, 11:19 PM

Edit: Nevermind. Loose stud not nut.

Scrapper · 09-10-2018, 01:36 AM

I would replace it, too. Don't do it like the one in you picture. There should be a star washer and nut holding the stud tight to the plastic, then your cables, then another star washer/nut. The first nut allows you to hold the stud from turning while tightening the second nut. You need to use a stamped steel wrench you find in some cheap wrench sets. They used to be made for working on ignition systems that had distributor points.

mdebiasi · 09-10-2018, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrapper

I would replace it, too. Don't do it like the one in you picture. There should be a star washer and nut holding the stud tight to the plastic, then your cables, then another star washer/nut. The first nut allows you to hold the stud from turning while tightening the second nut. You need to use a stamped steel wrench you find in some cheap wrench sets. They used to be made for working on ignition systems that had distributor points.

Thanks, I will give it a try and see.

mdebiasi · 09-10-2018, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babock

I would replace that circuit breaker. It is probably loose because someone over tightened it at some point and broke it internally.

What circuit breaker are you referring to? I don't see one where the wires connect to screw.

TitanMike · 09-10-2018, 11:04 AM

I hate these Circuit Breakers. Mine hasn't failed yet but when it gives me the first sign of trouble it goes away. When I installed my Battery Monitor's shunt, in a separate enclosure next to the battery boxes, I included a fuse holder that uses an ANL type fuse. Spare fuses are taped to the inside of the cover. Plan on adding a simple LED light wired from one terminal to the other that will light up if the fuse blows. As long as the fuse is good, no LED.

I can't think of a worse place to install a Circuit breaker than where the manufacturer has chosen. Right where all road dirt and wet spray hits the frame of the trailer. Wonder what brainiac in the design department chose that. Ditto for the non-waterproof junction box they put next to it and connect all the wires for Tongue Jack, Slide, Awning, main power feed, etc.

babock · 09-10-2018, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdebiasi

What circuit breaker are you referring to? I don't see one where the wires connect to screw.

That is the circuit breaker that you are showing.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...BoCBlIQAvD_BwE

babock · 09-10-2018, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanMike

I can't think of a worse place to install a Circuit breaker than where the manufacturer has chosen. Right where all road dirt and wet spray hits the frame of the trailer. Wonder what brainiac in the design department chose that. Ditto for the non-waterproof junction box they put next to it and connect all the wires for Tongue Jack, Slide, Awning, main power feed, etc.

I agree, I actually have a circuit breeker near my battery inside my trailer that now feeds to that point. I just moved the cable to the other side of the breaker so it's basically just serving as a power post right now until I change it out to something more suitable for that environment.

mdebiasi · 09-10-2018, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babock

That is the circuit breaker that you are showing.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...BoCBlIQAvD_BwE

Thanks babock. I didn't realize that is actually a circuit breaker attached to the screws. I think it might be cracked due to the play it has. I may just order a replacement rather than having to take the trailer 2.5hrs back to the dealer. Will cost me way more in gas to come and go, especially hauling a trailer.

**Flybob** · 09-10-2018, 01:46 PM

There is a small button on the end of the breaker that resets it. It is possible that when you were working on it you pressed the button and reset it. See Photo.

babock · 09-10-2018, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flybob

There is a small button on the end of the breaker that resets it. It is possible that when you were working on it you pressed the button and reset it. See Photo.

If you reset it, it would make it work properly.

pdqparalegal1 · 09-10-2018, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdebiasi

I have a 2019 Cherokee Wolf Pup 16bhs and found that after camping and disconnecting shore power that nothing would run off of battery. Checking battery with a multimeter showed 13.1v. I then discovered that the screw where all the positive wires connect to has play in it. I tightened nut but still have play with the screw. When pushing it in I discovered that power to inside of trailer restored but when towing the vibration from towing would cause issue to return. Not sure how to get rid of this play on the entire screw assembly. Anyone ever had this happen to them?

Almost ALL of my 12v problems were traced to these frame grounds in your picture. Clean, lub, tighten.

Scrapper · 09-10-2018, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdqparalegal1

Almost ALL of my 12v problems were traced to these frame grounds in your picture. Clean, lub, tighten.

OP is talking about his picture that shows a circuit breaker or as many call it a resettable fuse. Frame ground connections are totally different.

babock · 09-10-2018, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdqparalegal1

Almost ALL of my 12v problems were traced to these frame grounds in your picture. Clean, lub, tighten.

Don't see any frame grounds in his picture.

mdebiasi · 09-13-2018, 02:31 PM

I plan to replace the breaker since it appears to be damaged due to wiggly screw. Problem is I don’t know if I should be getting a 30amp or 40amp breaker.

MR.M · 09-13-2018, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanMike

I hate these Circuit Breakers. Mine hasn't failed yet but when it gives me the first sign of trouble it goes away. When I installed my Battery Monitor's shunt, in a separate enclosure next to the battery boxes, I included a fuse holder that uses an ANL type fuse. Spare fuses are taped to the inside of the cover. Plan on adding a simple LED light wired from one terminal to the other that will light up if the fuse blows. As long as the fuse is good, no LED.

I can't think of a worse place to install a Circuit breaker than where the manufacturer has chosen. Right where all road dirt and wet spray hits the frame of the trailer. Wonder what brainiac in the design department chose that. Ditto for the non-waterproof junction box they put next to it and connect all the wires for Tongue Jack, Slide, Awning, main power feed, etc.

X2 . i got rid of mine and installed one in my battery box . much better

MR.M · 09-13-2018, 02:49 PM

Images for tocas30 amp surface mount circuit breaker 12v

you may try one of these instead . much better then the crap that comes with unit

mdebiasi · 09-13-2018, 04:56 PM

Thanks for the link. Did you get the 30amp one for your trailer?

MR.M · 09-13-2018, 06:53 PM

[QUOTE=mdebiasi;1926938]Thanks for the link. Did you get the 30amp one for your trailer?[/QUOTE

Yes !

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