No battery power to anything

[DannyLori]

Hello,

I recently purchase a used 2000 Forrest River 28 ft Salem 5th Wheel. I discovered that with both batteries fully charged the only thing that is powered is the slid out, nothing else works, no landing legs, no appliances, no lights, no outlets, nothing. The wiring looks to be in excellent condition. There is no obvious power shut off switch. I am not too comfortable with electrical systems but with the help of youtube I was able to determine (at the batteries posts) there are no amps being pulled from the trailer. I am hoping that I am just missing something simple, any suggestions?
Thank you, Danny

[Duckogram]

You have two electrical systems. A 12v and a 120v. The only link is the converter and maybe an add on inverter if you have one (not likely). So lets look at 12v. You have juice to your slides. Good sign but they are on their own circuit. So now you should look at the reverse polarity fuses in your power center. Look for up to two 30-40 amp fuses. Got a multi-meter?

Edit: I am assuming that you checked diligently for a shut-off switch/battery disconnect.

[5picker]

Many units have a battery disconnect switch that removes the battery(ies) from the circuitry so they do not get discharged by parasitic drains (clocks, radios, LP detector, etc.) when not plugged into shore power. With the disconnect in the disconnect position, you will not have 12v power to most of your rig.

Have you looked for one of these switches?

Here are some examples...

[img]http://tweetys.com/ProductImages/uncategorized/19-0659-color.jpg[/img

[Duckogram]

Nice pics picker.��

[valleyduo]

I agree to look for a battery disconnect. One test would be to plug in to shore power and see if the batteries charge. If they don't, they're likely disconnected from the converter.

[boondocking]

How are you charging your batteries, with the converter in the trailer or a stand alone charger?

If they are charging via the converter then the reverse polarity fuses are OK.


Need a bit more info.

[llr]

do the lights and other 12v items work when you are connected to 120V AC. If so the converter and reverse polarity fuses are OK.

If not either a battery disconnect switch as mentioned above or a resetable circuit breaker may be tripped, this will probably be close to the battery, generally in the positive wire.

[bikendan]

YEP, possibly the little resettable circuit breaker with the tiny black reset button.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by bikendan

YEP, possibly the little resettable circuit breaker with the tiny black reset button.

For reference to what bikedan mentioned... note the little black push button on the end of the circuit breaker.
That is the reset button.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by 5picker

For reference to what bikedan mentioned... note the little black push button on the end of the circuit breaker.
That is the reset button.

By the way, the resettable circuit breaker is hidden under the trailer, usually either under the tongue, or just behind it, at the front of the trailer. You will have to crawl under the trailer to find it.

Larry

[Duckogram]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

By the way, the resettable circuit breaker is hidden under the trailer, usually either under the tongue, or just behind it, at the front of the trailer. You will have to crawl under the trailer to find it.

Larry

It’s a 5th Wheel.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Duckogram

It’s a 5th Wheel.

Okay, don't keep us in suspense, Ducky. Where do they hide them on 5th wheel units?

Larry

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Okay, don't keep us in suspense, Ducky. Where do they hide them on 5th wheel units?

Larry

Mine are in the front storage compartment on my 5th wheel.

Not my rig (an internet snag) but same concept.

[Duckogram]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Mine are in the front storage compartment on my 5th wheel.

Instant winner!

p.s. they hide disconnect switches in there too.

[mmcbride56]

Originally Posted by DannyLori

Hello,

I recently purchase a used 2000 Forrest River 28 ft Salem 5th Wheel. I discovered that with both batteries fully charged the only thing that is powered is the slid out, nothing else works, no landing legs, no appliances, no lights, no outlets, nothing. The wiring looks to be in excellent condition. There is no obvious power shut off switch. I am not too comfortable with electrical systems but with the help of youtube I was able to determine (at the batteries posts) there are no amps being pulled from the trailer. I am hoping that I am just missing something simple, any suggestions?
Thank you, Danny

So, I am no electrical genius, but most all electrical current coming from the batteries will travel to an inverter to change 12v DC to 120v ac. Current that is 120v ac, such as what would come from shore power or a generator, will pass through a converter to "convert" 120v ac to 12v DC. This is how the shore power is able to charge your batteries.
If you can operate your slides, it is because most all sides operate on 12v dc directly from the batteries. Landing gear, appliances, outlets, on the other hand, require 120 v ac current, so this requires juice from your inverter. I am a bit surprised that your lights don't work as most rigs, 5th wheel or otherwise, use 12 volt lighting. So your situation is a bit of a puzzle.

I do not think that a battery cut-off is in effect here as that would negate the operation of the slides as well. So, what other options might you have. I encountered an issue with my inverter where a "re-settable" circuit breaker tripped. It is usually a button on the inverter itself and would be "pushed in" or flush when normal and "popped out" when tripped.

The only other suggestion I would have is to check all your 12v fuses in the fuse block to see if any those have blown as well as reset all your 120v circuit breakers in your electrical panel, including any main breaker.
Regards, Mike

[Duckogram]

120v landing gear? I’ve never seen anything like that. Having resided in Missouri, please do “show me.”

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I’ll wait until the OP responds...

Here’s a couple of “Up the Creek” pics:

[Flybob]

If the batteries were very low or dead when you charged it you may have blown the reverse polarity fuses. They could be in the distribution panel or on the back of the converter. They are normally 30-40A fuses. If the batteries have not been replaced since new, this will need to be done as well. How are you judging fully charged batteries. If you are going by battery panel, that may be giving you false readings. Check charge with RV disconnected from shore power.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by mmcbride56

So, I am no electrical genius, but most all electrical current coming from the batteries will travel to an inverter to change 12v DC to 120v ac. Current that is 120v ac, such as what would come from shore power or a generator, will pass through a converter to "convert" 120v ac to 12v DC. This is how the shore power is able to charge your batteries.
If you can operate your slides, it is because most all sides operate on 12v dc directly from the batteries. Landing gear, appliances, outlets, on the other hand, require 120 v ac current, so this requires juice from your inverter. I am a bit surprised that your lights don't work as most rigs, 5th wheel or otherwise, use 12 volt lighting. So your situation is a bit of a puzzle.

I do not think that a battery cut-off is in effect here as that would negate the operation of the slides as well. So, what other options might you have. I encountered an issue with my inverter where a "re-settable" circuit breaker tripped. It is usually a button on the inverter itself and would be "pushed in" or flush when normal and "popped out" when tripped.

The only other suggestion I would have is to check all your 12v fuses in the fuse block to see if any those have blown as well as reset all your 120v circuit breakers in your electrical panel, including any main breaker.
Regards, Mike

Re: highlighted statements

I have no inverter anywhere in my Wildcat 5th wheel.

All landing gear I've ever seen are powered by 12vDC.

These things require 120vAC directly through my shore power cord and 120vAC breakers (no inverter).

[mmcbride56]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

Re: highlighted statements

I have no inverter anywhere in my Wildcat 5th wheel.

All landing gear I've ever seen are powered by 12vDC.

These things require 120vAC directly through my shore power cord and 120vAC breakers (no inverter).

So, having had (in the past) a TT, a 5ver, and currently a MH, I'll concede the fact that landing gear are most likely 12v if electrical. Also, everything in a TT and/or 5th wheel will most likely operate in 12v mode, except any 120v ac electrical outlets and a/c units, which would would then require a) shore power, b) generator, or c) an inverter (not for a/c of course). For charging house batteries from either of the first two options you need a converter, otherwise you need the auxiliary wire from the Towing Vehicle where you generally use the TowV's alternator to charge the batteries.
FYI: My residential style refrigerator only works on 120v ac. which utilizes the inverter on my coach when I am not sourcing ac from shore or genny.

[WolfWhistle]

I would chase the + battery connection from the battery towards the power center. That cable will have a breaker between there and the power center... Mine has a 12v DC copper bus with several other breakers electrically between battery and power center. The converter will charge the batteries over the same cable, since it is also the charger but that requires shore power (120 volts AC). If you do plug into shore power, the 120 volt AC side of the power center will also be energized. DannyLori, what works or doesn't work when plugged into shore power? You mentioned appliances don't work, but 120 volt AC things cannot work without generator or shore power. Only assuming you don't also have an inverter, which inverts 12 volt DC into 120 volts AC. Some devices / appliances use a combination of DC and LP gas, once they are correctly switch that way. Please be careful working with your electrical systems, the 12 volt at the battery has huge current available and can make you hurt yourself and melt things, but the 120 vac can kill you and hurt like hell the whole time its doing it.
ww