No power

kahrens · 05-12-2019, 06:59 PM

I'm not an electrician, so I'm hoping this is an easy fix and I'm just overlooking something. I have a 2604 Rockwood trailer and as long as it's plugged in at home, or a campground, or to my truck, everything is fine. Once it's not plugged in, there's nothing. No electric jack, lights, etc. Even though the indicator inside the camper says the battery has a full charge. Any ideas?

BandJCarm · 05-12-2019, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahrens

I'm not an electrician, so I'm hoping this is an easy fix and I'm just overlooking something. I have a 2604 Rockwood trailer and as long as it's plugged in at home, or a campground, or to my truck, everything is fine. Once it's not plugged in, there's nothing. No electric jack, lights, etc. Even though the indicator inside the camper says the battery has a full charge. Any ideas?

It is possible your indicator inside is really only showing that there is power, as coming from shore power.

Test the battery with an independent, unconnected to trailer, battery tester. I'm betting you have bad or discharged battery.

ejohnson1144 · 05-12-2019, 07:05 PM

Is there a battery disconnect ? Needs to be on

kahrens · 05-12-2019, 07:14 PM

BandJCarm, thanks. I'll try that tomorrow.

ejohnson, don't laugh, but where do I look for a battery disconnect and what would it look like?
Can you tell I'm new to this.

Thanks for any help.

ejohnson1144 · 05-12-2019, 07:17 PM

Is there plunger type switch below the fridge that's the one I saw

ejohnson1144 · 05-12-2019, 07:18 PM

Also it could be a rotary type of switch

boondocking · 05-12-2019, 07:19 PM

The electric jack should still work if the disconnect is turned off.
I am also betting it is a dead battery.

**bikendan** · 05-12-2019, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahrens

BandJCarm, thanks. I'll try that tomorrow.

ejohnson, don't laugh, but where do I look for a battery disconnect and what would it look like?
Can you tell I'm new to this.

Thanks for any help.

Need to post year, since you have it listed in your profile.
Earlier models have a push/pull switch inside. Later years have ut on tha A-frame.

kahrens · 05-12-2019, 07:43 PM

Ok, went out to check and found a few things. First of all, my camper is a 2016, (2604WS).
Found the disconnect under the a-frame and it is turned on.
When the camper is plugged in, the indicator says full charge.
When it's unplugged, the indicator drops to 'Needs charged'.
Bad battery or converter?

BandJCarm · 05-12-2019, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahrens

Ok, went out to check and found a few things. First of all, my camper is a 2016, (2604WS).
Found the disconnect under the a-frame and it is turned on.
When the camper is plugged in, the indicator says full charge.
When it's unplugged, the indicator drops to 'Needs charged'.
Bad battery or converter?

Can't tell. First, not bad battery IF it can be independently charged. If it can, and the converter is not charging it, then maybe converter is bad. Or maybe wiring is loose, or bad.

kahrens · 05-12-2019, 07:52 PM

When we camp, I always hook up to my truck completely before unplugging the power cable.
Once we get to the campsite, I plug in to the power first before unhooking from my truck.
Same thing in reverse when we leave to go home.
So, unless I'm missing something, do I really even need a battery?

rsdata · 05-12-2019, 07:59 PM

take out the battery and have it checked at any auto parts store for free... I will bet 50 cents your battery from 2016 is bad... make sure when you reinstall you know which wires are positive and which are negative by marking them first.

on second thought, pop off the caps on the battery top and make sure the water is up to the bottom of the plastic ring inside the battery, use distilled water only to replenish, then keep a good quality charger on it for 24 hours and see if it will hold a charge

dbledan · 05-12-2019, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahrens

When we camp, I always hook up to my truck completely before unplugging the power cable.
Once we get to the campsite, I plug in to the power first before unhooking from my truck.
Same thing in reverse when we leave to go home.
So, unless I'm missing something, do I really even need a battery?

Yes in case your trailer disconnects you will want a functional battery so the brakes kick on and it does not rear end you.

Other than that not really if this is the way you camp. Over time or under load the converter may not keep up with everything and the battery would compensate for that but it depends on your loads and how you use things. The slides and Jack's would likely be the first things to notice and have trouble. To me worth the $100 to not get stranded at a campground.

**bikendan** · 05-12-2019, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahrens

When we camp, I always hook up to my truck completely before unplugging the power cable.
Once we get to the campsite, I plug in to the power first before unhooking from my truck.
Same thing in reverse when we leave to go home.
So, unless I'm missing something, do I really even need a battery?

You're required by law to have a trailer battery while in transport, to power the breakaway switch.
Also the battery acts as a buffer for the converter.
You may have crossed the battery wires and blew the 40 amp fuse or tripped the resettable 12v circuit breaker.

**wmtire** · 05-12-2019, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahrens

So, unless I'm missing something, do I really even need a battery?

Legally, yes. Your emergency breakaway switch is powered by your trailers battery in case of a trailer/tow truck breakaway situation. Your trailers electric brakes would be powered by your RV's battery in that unlikely (but possible) scenario.

CedarCreekWoody · 05-12-2019, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahrens

When we camp, I always hook up to my truck completely before unplugging the power cable.
Once we get to the campsite, I plug in to the power first before unhooking from my truck.
Same thing in reverse when we leave to go home.
So, unless I'm missing something, do I really even need a battery?

In addition to the absolute need with your brakes, as mentioned above, you sometimes need the amperage boost that is stored in the battery for power hungry things such as closing the slide. The manufacturer recommend only opening or closing the slides with both shore power and battery power engaged.

kahrens · 05-12-2019, 08:13 PM

Yeah, completely forgot about the trailer brake issue. I'll defenently have the battery checked and/or replaced if necessary.
Thanks for all of the replys!

**wmtire** · 05-12-2019, 08:16 PM

kahrens, another thing to verify, is that you haven't tripped the 12 volt DC circuit breaker...as you are exhibiting the systems of this and/or a bad battery. (or both a tripped dc breaker and bad/discharged battery)

See this thread:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...et-154141.html

**Mr. Dan** · 05-12-2019, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahrens

Ok, went out to check and found a few things. First of all, my camper is a 2016, (2604WS).
Found the disconnect under the a-frame and it is turned on.
When the camper is plugged in, the indicator says full charge.
When it's unplugged, the indicator drops to 'Needs charged'.
Bad battery or converter?

Here's a fact not everyone knows. When a unit is plugged in, the indicator does NOT reflect the charge level of the battery. It indicates that the converter is attempting to charge the battery. I suggest you take rsdata's suggestion in post #12.

Actually, I see that while I was typing, you agreed to his advice.

**Flybob** · 05-12-2019, 08:38 PM

If it has been disconnected from shore power for a period of time the battery can discharge from parasitic draws. If the battery was totally dead, it could prevent it from charging or blow the reverse polarity fuses when 1st connected. Check the two high current fuses 30-40A if OK then you might take the battery to an auto parts store to be load tested.

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