Can someone help explain battery/shore power?

girlbuffalo1 · 03-24-2014, 11:00 AM

We purchased our Aliner last March. It was not a good day at all as my grandmother ended up passing away that afternoon and I was trapped at the dealer as they finished getting my hitch fully wired and finish up prepping the camper.
Needless to say I apparently didn't ask all of the questions I needed to nor did they explain a lot.
I believe our battery is dead which whatever we can get a new one--but what I am not sure about is what runs on what?

When I have it plugged in with the converter line into a regular plug in at home--what is running on battery and what is running off of the plug in?

There were multiple times this summer where we camped and things would quickly go dead even though we were plugged in to the outlet at the camp site.

Generally the only way we could get power going again would be to reconnect to my vehicle.

I guess I thought that when you are plugged in the lights and stuff should work?

I should note we would always 'charge' at least 24 hours connected to the house before we go.

I do understand the refrigerator is shore power/propane/battery--we generally leave it off all together and use a cooler or have it set to shore power only.

ChooChooMan74 · 03-24-2014, 11:30 AM

Here is some good reading. Any questions, report back.

http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

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bobrapp · 03-24-2014, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by girlbuffalo1

We purchased our Aliner last March. It was not a good day at all as my grandmother ended up passing away that afternoon and I was trapped at the dealer as they finished getting my hitch fully wired and finish up prepping the camper.
Needless to say I apparently didn't ask all of the questions I needed to nor did they explain a lot.
I believe our battery is dead which whatever we can get a new one--but what I am not sure about is what runs on what?

When I have it plugged in with the converter line into a regular plug in at home--what is running on battery and what is running off of the plug in?

There were multiple times this summer where we camped and things would quickly go dead even though we were plugged in to the outlet at the camp site.

Generally the only way we could get power going again would be to reconnect to my vehicle.

I guess I thought that when you are plugged in the lights and stuff should work?

I should note we would always 'charge' at least 24 hours connected to the house before we go.

I do understand the refrigerator is shore power/propane/battery--we generally leave it off all together and use a cooler or have it set to shore power only.

Did the dealer install a fuse in the battery lead? I believe the standard battery is a gr24 marine battery. My dealer, Roberts Sales in Denver, upgrade all their new campers to a battery box and a gr27 battery. On my new T12RB, I had them upgrade that to a 31 deep-cycle marine battery. They install a fuse in a weather-proof holder in the positive lead so the smoke/CO/propane detector does not drain the battery. Also, if the fuse is removed when connected to shore power prevents cooking all the electrolyte from the battery.

Pooneil · 03-24-2014, 11:53 AM

Don't think of it a what runs on battery and what runs on house current. Think of it as having two electrical systems. One 12 volt and the other 120 volt. The 12V system can be powered through the converter by either plugging into 120V shore power, or if no shore power is used, by the battery. The converter also serves as the battery charger.

For practical purposes the 12V system includes the lights, furnace, stereo and water pump. It can power the fridge, but only do that when driving and getting power from the TV. If you have a power tongue jack or power flush potty, those are 12V also.

The 120V system will power the household type appliances; AC, microwave, fridge and whatever is plunged into the wall outlets.

fonzie · 03-24-2014, 11:56 AM

Here is another good website to explain RV electrical basic.....

RV Electrical Systems

Pooneil · 03-24-2014, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by girlbuffalo1

We purchased our Aliner last March.

Please ask what question you need answered, we are happy to help. But be aware this is a forum for Forest River (Rockwood and Flagstaff branded) A-frame campers, which are different than Aliners in some ways. So the answers and discussions you see here may not apply to you.

girlbuffalo1 · 03-24-2014, 12:53 PM

Yes we have a Rockwood--I guess I just used the term Aliner--it is NOT Aliner brand.

I will read through the links posted.

I guess I just need someone to walk me through what I need to do--to work everything? I really have no idea I guess--I thought when plugged in everything would work but that is obviously not the case.

KMP44 · 03-24-2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by girlbuffalo1

Yes we have a Rockwood--I guess I just used the term Aliner--it is NOT Aliner brand.

I will read through the links posted.

I guess I just need someone to walk me through what I need to do--to work everything? I really have no idea I guess--I thought when plugged in everything would work but that is obviously not the case.

You are correct - if you are plugged in, everything should work. And the converter should be charging your battery while you are plugged in. If it goes dead when plugged in, but re-charges when you hook it to your vehicle, then either there is a problem with the converter itself, or you have a blown fuse.

I'm not familiar with your model, but most camper panels will have a set of "reverse polarity fuses" which are designed to blow if the battery gets hooked up backwards. Start with your electrical panel - check the breakers and the fuses. Some converters have lights to show you if a fuse is blown, but if not, you can pull them out and look to see if the metal piece inside is broken.

bobrapp · 03-24-2014, 01:06 PM

Well, with it plugged in, everything should work. Towards the front interior, you should see a black cover over the converter. Lift up on the cover and you should see some circuit breakers (I think, as my camper is in the garage) check to see if they are on. There should be a led light on.
Is the battery connected?
Is the outlet you are plugged powered (if at a site) is their breaker on?

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girlbuffalo1 · 03-24-2014, 01:07 PM

we have looked at the fuses and even bought a tester and set of replacements as we thought that might be what it is--no fuses are blown--and if we follow the instructions in the manual it also confirms no fuses are blown.

If we plug in to shore power nothing works except the microwave and maybe a few other things? The water pump, lights etc do not work.
If we charge overnight it appears the water pump, lights, radio work--but then out camping and plugged into a site we get maybe an hour and we are blacked out

If I plug back into my vehicle things are working again. We have actually had to get the propane furnace working in the middle of the night as the heater thing stopped working and we were going to freeze to death.

KMP44 · 03-24-2014, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by girlbuffalo1

we have looked at the fuses and even bought a tester and set of replacements as we thought that might be what it is--no fuses are blown--and if we follow the instructions in the manual it also confirms no fuses are blown.

If we plug in to shore power nothing works except the microwave and maybe a few other things? The water pump, lights etc do not work.
If we charge overnight it appears the water pump, lights, radio work--but then out camping and plugged into a site we get maybe an hour and we are blacked out

If I plug back into my vehicle things are working again. We have actually had to get the propane furnace working in the middle of the night as the heater thing stopped working and we were going to freeze to death.

After a battery goes dead repeatedly, it looses its ability to hold a charge, which may be all or part of your problem.

The converter may also not be working - this takes the 110V AC when plugged in and converts it 12V DC for lights, furnace, and water pump as well as charging your battery.

If you have a multi-meter, check the voltage across the battery terminals when not plugged in. A full charge would be maybe 12.8 to 13 volts. Then plug in and see if what you get. The converter should send more than 13 volts to the battery. If you don't get that, I would suspect the converter is not working.

bobrapp · 03-24-2014, 01:16 PM

Sounds like you have a bad battery. Dry camping, unless you run the fridge on 12 volt, not playing the radio or operating the fan, you should get 2 days out of the battery.

If you have a meter, check the battery voltage. Anything below 12 volts indicate a bad battery. If you have to replace the battery, make sure it is a marine battery and not a car type.

Also, if you plug it in, and things don't work, try disconnecting the battery. Things should all work with the battery disconnected and plugged into shore power.

girlbuffalo1 · 03-24-2014, 01:57 PM

Ok so I probably need a new battery--I'm guessing. The camper was new 1 year ago. It died on us all summer (we probably took it out 4-5 times) then it has sat in cold indoor storage all winter here in Indiana. So my next steps should be:
Purchase Voltmeter
Purchase new battery at either RV dealer or battery specialist
Then--do I keep the batter on a battery tender in my garage at all times when not using?
Do you have to plug in your camper before you go for a trip?

Sorry I read the link given which was very helpful--but I guess I am still unclear as to how to I really need to take care of things properly and not ruin another battery.

bobrapp · 03-24-2014, 02:10 PM

Batteries hate being dead in the cold of winter. For winter storage, I remove the battery and place it on wood blocks in our semi-heated garage. I do not charge it or try and maintain it. Battery tenders tend to evaporate the electrolyte over time.

I would suggest getting a deep recycle marine battery. Most dealers install a small gr24 battery and do not place them them in a battery box. My dealer (Roberts Sales in Denver) install gr27 batteries in a battery box. I had them install the largest battery that would fit in my new camper - gr31.

TURBS · 03-24-2014, 02:12 PM

Also if you do not have a battery disconnect OR do not unhook battery while not in use, the battery WILL go dead becuase of parasitic draws!

You either need to unhook battery or leave the shore power plugged in while not in use.

TURBS
Sabre owners united!

KMP44 · 03-24-2014, 02:12 PM

If you have a battery tender, that is a good way to keep it charged. But just plugging in to get a full charge then either unhooking it with a disconnect switch or by pulling the negative wire will keep it from discharging while stored. An un-hooked battery will hold its charge for 2-3 months easy if its just unhooked so the gas detector and other parasitic draws can't drain it.

BamaBob · 03-24-2014, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by girlbuffalo1

We purchased our Aliner last March. .

Depending on *When* you purchased last year, you are nearing the end of your 1 year warranty (unless you bought a extended warranty)

If you are still within your warranty, I would get a maintenance appointment with the purchasing dealer ASAP - it sounds like you have multiple electrical issues that need looking into.

WrongWayRandall · 03-24-2014, 03:13 PM

We have a single battery on our popup and I pull it from the camper when we aren't camping. It sits in the garage on a battery tender so it's always fully charged - batteries will last longer and keep more capacity if they always have a full charge (when not in use). Try not to discharge your battery past 12v unless it is a true deep cycle battery (and then you still don't want to go too much farther.)

A battery that is never discharged more than 12v and kept fully charged when not in use should last you a number of years. I have gotten as many as 7 years life out of a battery in the past, but useful life span and reserve capacity slowly drop with use even when well cared for.

As the others have stated, it is probably a good idea to stop by a dealer and have them do a check-up and walk-though with you so that you can get the swing of all the different aspects operation of your particular model.

- Randy

garbonz · 03-24-2014, 04:12 PM

IF your battery is dead and you have been plugged in, AND nothing still works then there is something wrong with the converter. The fuses we are talking about are not the little car like fuses in the electrical box, but are inline fuses from the battery that are usually mounted on the frame rail close to the battery. Depending on what you have they have a little button you push to reset the "fuse". Technically they are inline circuit breakers.

As said before, I would attempt to locate the problem before you get a new battery and leave it hooked up. DIsconnect the battery whenever you are not using the camper.

If you get the new battery, I would use that multimeter you are getting and check the voltage when you hook it up and plug it in to shore power. It should read above 13.00 volts (like 13.3-13.5) pretty soon. If it does not then your converter is not working, and your new battery will have problems soon.

Good luck.

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