Power issues!!!

[summersoff]

We cannot get the power to come on in the camper! We have a 2008 Cherokee fifth wheel. We have the camper plugged into the house. We hae tried, what we think to be, everything! The camper ended up running down the battery and won't even run off of the propane! HELP!!! We are leaving on Thursday, early! I have to finish loading! Please!

[Fire Instructor]

Seams overly simple, but have you tested the outlet that you are plugged into?

[MightyMike]

Are you sure you have the battery disconnect switch in the right position? If mine isn't turned on I can't even get the landing gear to move.

[summersoff]

We have tested the outlet and the extension cord. It is weird, the microwave will come on, but the lights won't work. We never had to flip a battery switch. The fridge was getting cold, then the check light came on. I can plug into my house but cannot have all of the circuits on, because it will trips it, so I keep off the water heater and one marked generator. My dad is a mechanic and he started guiding me through this. Unfortunately he is in PA and we are in MD. Why would the microwave come on, but the lights won't work? I also checked all of the fuses. My dad said to look for the inverter, I have no idea where that thing is in this camper, I have looked everywhere! This is crazy!

[Herk7769]

1) The fridge and heater will not work without 12VDC (battery power form the battery or converter (usually located in or behind the power center - the fuse box) even though 120VAC is available.

2) The battery obviously was charged and working because everything worked until the battery ran dead.

3) 120 AC is available because the 120 stuff still works (AC and outlets)

4) It can't be a DC fuse if the lights and other items worked until the battery quit.

So what to check:

1) The 12 VDC converter (what your dad incorrectly called an inverter) is powered from a circuit breaker in the fuse box. It is located either IN the power center or behind it. The circuit breaker for it may NOT be labeled (mine is NOT). Reset ALL your black rocker circuit breakers one at a time. (Turn the breaker OFF completely, then turn it back on completely). The converter circuit breaker may also power a string of outlets in the camper which may not be working.

[summersoff]

I have flipped the rocker circuit breakers a couple different times, and I have nothing. So, what does that mean?

[Herk7769]

If the power converter has failed you will need to get it repaired to go camping. Now we need to find out what kind it is and where the circuit protection is.

Question?

Did you have the battery out of the camper this winter?
When you hooked it up, and chance it went in backwards initially?

If so there are two 40 amp reverse polarity fuses behind the front panel (large orange blade fuses) that will blow to protect the power center. Check those.

[summersoff]

I checked all of the fuses and they are all fine. We didn't use the camper all last season. We check the battery connection, to double check, it is connected correctly.

[Herk7769]

Can you use a volt meter?

[summersoff]

I don't have one. I am checking to see if my neighbor does, but I doubt it.

[Herk7769]

You should always carry a cheap voltmeter (10 bucks anywhere) and a test light with you at all times. An outlet tester works wonders to make sure your campground is supplying correctly wired power.

How did you "check your fuses" without a ohm meter?
Did you just look at them? Not always reliable.

We may need to go inside the converter to troubleshoot next so if you are not at all handy with electrical items (and your lack of a voltmeter is a red flag) you will NEED to go to the dealer.

[summersoff]

i might be able to get my hands on one.

[Iluv2fish]

Try a different battery first...might have just given its last gasp, and it is the simplest thing to try. Modern batteries now fail suddenly and completely in some instances.
Randy

[jimh]

I have inadvertnally unplugged my converter moving thing around. Check that. Batery as suggested above do interesting things.