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Old 07-14-2014, 09:16 AM   #1
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12 Volt Battery problem

My Battery is reading 12.44 volts.
Lights inside my camper not working.
Any suggestions?

2007 Forest River, Flagstaff, 625D Model
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Old 07-14-2014, 10:22 AM   #2
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Are you plugged into shore power? If not, plug in and let your converter top off your battery. If that doesn't do it, it may be a bad battery or converter. I just replaced both on mine. New group 24 battery from Costco=$90. New PowerMax MainBoardAssembly(Didn't need to replace the whole converter, just the board) =$125.

You can see a video of a MBA swap out here. http://vimeo.com/15713417

Hope this helps and good luck.
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Old 07-14-2014, 10:34 AM   #3
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There's a way to test your converter at the battery with a volt meter. Someone here will chime in with that.

On mine, I wasn't getting any DC power with the camper plugged in and the battery disconnected. It always used to. Called WFCO and explained it to them and they said"That's a tell tale sign your converter died".

Battery was old so I just went ahead and replaced it. It hadn't been holding a charge for very long for quite some time. I never boon dock so I didn't bother getting a new one. However you do need a good battery hooked to rig while plugged in because the battery acts as a buffer for the converter. If no battery while plugged in, the converter will put out full power,shortening the life of the converter.
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Old 07-14-2014, 10:36 AM   #4
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Have you checked all of the breakers and fuses at the converter and within and outside the camper?

You should have a resettable breaker between the battery and your camper's converter (located on positive wire usually a few feet behind the battery). I'm not familiar with your model, but that's one of the first thing I would check. Here are two pics of common types. It might have a plastic cover (green and red are common).





You might also have a separate 30amp fuse. If so, check if its good.
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Old 07-14-2014, 11:04 AM   #5
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Offagain.

I do have lights working when plugged in to shore power.
Brand new battery. Also lights work when plugged into my vehicle.
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Old 07-14-2014, 12:14 PM   #6
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How long has the battery been connected to the camper without being plugged into shore power? I know on mine, the battery will go dead if I leave it connected for a week or so without having it plugged into shore power.

Something in my camper draws power from the battery when it's connected and everything is shut off. Don't know what it is, but it kills my battery.

I remove my battery when I get home and leave it connected to a battery tender.

A lot of forum users have battery kill switches on their campers to prevent killing the battery when camper isn't being used.

Try plugging into shore power and see if it charges back up.
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Old 07-14-2014, 12:18 PM   #7
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Offagain,
My battery is reading 12.4 volts... So it's fully charged...Just no 12 volt power to any of my lights inside the camper? I will check all the fuses tonight when i get home.
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Old 07-14-2014, 01:49 PM   #8
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Odd that you're getting lights while connected to tow vehicle, but no lights without.

Give it a little time. There's a lot of pretty sharp folks on here. In sure someone will be on here later on after work.
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Old 07-14-2014, 02:04 PM   #9
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Follow the advice Triguy listed. 12.4 volts is plenty to run your lights. They are working on shore power, which means they are being fed from your converter. There is a disconnect between the battery and the panel. Most likely its that resettable breaker under the frame or possibly an in-line fuse.
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Old 07-14-2014, 02:16 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KMP44 View Post
Follow the advice Triguy listed. 12.4 volts is plenty to run your lights. They are working on shore power, which means they are being fed from your converter. There is a disconnect between the battery and the panel. Most likely its that resettable breaker under the frame or possibly an in-line fuse.

I know that I have one about 2 feet or so from the battery. How do you reset one of those?
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Old 07-14-2014, 05:56 PM   #11
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KMP44

I do have a 40amp fuse. Should it 30amp?

Ok, I put a 20amp fuse in and it work.

Just need to know if i need a 30amp fuse.

Thank you all for helping solve this problem.
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Old 07-14-2014, 08:44 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Offagain View Post
I know that I have one about 2 feet or so from the battery. How do you reset one of those?
See that little button on the side of the gray breaker in the picture above? Press that to reset if needed.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jimvincent View Post
KMP44

I do have a 40amp fuse. Should it 30amp?

Ok, I put a 20amp fuse in and it work.

Just need to know if i need a 30amp fuse.

Thank you all for helping solve this problem.
Glad you solved the mystery. But, you should use the correct size fuse for your camper. I said 30amp previously but that was presumptuous as I don't know what the correct one is for your trailer.
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Old 07-14-2014, 11:02 PM   #13
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[QUOTE=Triguy;658459]See that little button on the side of the gray breaker in the picture above? Press that to reset if needed.


Thanks Triguy.
I've read it mentioned many times that they are resettable, I just couldn't figure out how.
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Old 07-14-2014, 11:12 PM   #14
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Check for a reset button (usually black or red on the side or end of the breaker (you can see it in Tri-guy's post above). push and release if this don't work use a test meter and check before and after the breaker, you may need to replace the breaker or test further. EDIT: I see you got it solved, congrats.
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Old 07-15-2014, 08:57 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimvincent View Post
KMP44

I do have a 40amp fuse. Should it 30amp?

Ok, I put a 20amp fuse in and it work.

Just need to know if i need a 30amp fuse.

Thank you all for helping solve this problem.
Generally, you won't hurt anything if you go with a smaller fuse - it just might be more prone to blow. Probably your best bet is to check with your dealer or find a member with the same trailer to verify what the right size fuse is. Glad to hear you got it working.
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Old 07-15-2014, 10:10 AM   #16
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If this is a resettable fuse, do they go bad and does anyone carry a spare?

Never had a problem, but thinking of buying a couple and storing in the rig.
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Old 07-15-2014, 10:25 AM   #17
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Quote:
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If this is a resettable fuse, do they go bad and does anyone carry a spare?

Never had a problem, but thinking of buying a couple and storing in the rig.
If it is resetable id replace it with a auto resetting circuit breaker.

Yes they do go bad.
And they just wont reset anymore.
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Old 07-15-2014, 12:27 PM   #18
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If it is resetable id replace it with a auto resetting circuit breaker.

Yes they do go bad.
And they just wont reset anymore.

Ok, thanks.
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