Battery question

[dsm]

It's been cold in N Texas. My trailer stays parked next to my garage at home. I have had the trailer attached by dogbone to 15 amp electricity. I haven't disconnected the battery using my kill switch.

We are taking the trailer out today. When I disconnected from electricity I could not operate anything requiring electricity. When the electric panel in the trailer is hooked to electricity it shows that the battery is at full charge. But when I disconnect from electricity the battery does not operate any of my electrical.

Can anyone help explain what has happened?

Thanks

[5picker]

Originally Posted by dsm

It's been cold in N Texas. My trailer stays parked next to my garage at home. I have had the trailer attached by dogbone to 15 amp electricity. I haven't disconnected the battery using my kill switch.

We are taking the trailer out today. When I disconnected from electricity I could not operate anything requiring electricity. When the electric panel in the trailer is hooked to electricity it shows that the battery is at full charge. But when I disconnect from electricity the battery does not operate any of my electrical.

Can anyone help explain what has happened?



Thanks

Are you sure the battery disconnect isn't engaged?

The battery will show full charge on the panel because it is reading converter/charger output NOT the battery.

[D W]

Are you saying that when you disconnect from shore power that you have no 12VDC power?

[dsm]

"Are you sure the battery disconnect isn't engaged?"

While acknowledging my rookie status, I do have experience with the battery disconnect switch. Learned that the hard way when the CO monitor drained my battery last summer. The battery is connected.

"Are you saying that when you disconnect from shore power that you have no 12VDC power?"

Yes, exactly.

[bikendan]

First thing I would check is the little resettable 12v breaker, mounted along the A-frame, between the battery and front of trailer.
There's a tiny black button you push to reset. It's usually silver or gray.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by dsm

"Are you sure the battery disconnect isn't engaged?"

While acknowledging my rookie status, I do have experience with the battery disconnect switch. Learned that the hard way when the CO monitor drained my battery last summer. The battery is connected.

"Are you saying that when you disconnect from shore power that you have no 12VDC power?"

Yes, exactly.

Have you checked battery voltage at the battery with a multimeter?

If good, you will need to check the circuitry as bikedan mentioned.
I'd even test the battery switch to be sure it is passing voltage.

[D W]

Originally Posted by bikendan

First thing I would check is the little resettable 12v breaker, mounted along the A-frame, between the battery and front of trailer.
There's a tiny black button you push to reset. It's usually silver or gray.

X2. If you're satisfied that that the battery disconnect switch is operational then follow the battery feed(s) to find and check the circuit breaker:

[Flybob]

You can also check the two high current fuses ( 30-40A) in the fuse panel. They are there to protect from reverse polarity and if they blow you will not have 12VDC at the fuse panel. You will also not charge your battery.

[rockfordroo]

Here are the reverse polarity fuses Flybob is talking about:

[5picker]

How did you make out dsm?

[dsm]

We spent the weekend at the campsite on shore power. I haven't had an opportunity to to diagnose battery issues.

I found the 12v breaker. The reset switch had no impact.

I suspect the battery is probably dead. Another RV lesson learned.

Thanks for checking back.

[dsm]

Returning here with an update. Had the battery checked for charge this afternoon. All good. So no problem there. But when I detach from shore power I still have no electric service from the battery.

I checked the fuses as suggested. Nothing is burned out there. I found the 12V breaker. I think I engaged the reset switch properly, but I am not 100% certain of that.

Thoughts, anybody?

Gentle reminder - the trailer runs fine and exactly as expected attached to shore power.

Thanks

[5picker]

I'll ask again, have you done any testing of the circuitry with a multimeter or 12v test light back through the cut-off switch and circuit breakers? How did you 'check the fuses? With a meter?

Things can 'look' good but not pass current.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by dsm

Returning here with an update. Had the battery checked for charge this afternoon. All good. So no problem there. But when I detach from shore power I still have no electric service from the battery.

I checked the fuses as suggested. Nothing is burned out there. I found the 12V breaker. I think I engaged the reset switch properly, but I am not 100% certain of that.

Thoughts, anybody?

Gentle reminder - the trailer runs fine and exactly as expected attached to shore power.

Thanks

Can you jumper out the circuit breaker temporarily? i.e., touch a wire across both terminals and see if you get power. If so, your circuit breaker is either bad or not reset.

[iceclimber]

Suggest you test the battery.

[mrndly]

We are having the exact same problem- just brought home 2018 mini light 2509s. Works on shore power , nothing when disconnected. At first battery panel showed no battery charge. Flipping the battery disconnect switch from ON to OFF. Still nothing . Back to on and battery panel now show almost full charge. Still no power - checking by turning on interior light switch . We left the shore power connected overnight.

[TitanMike]

If the wiring on your trailer is at all similar to mine there is a rat's nest of wires in the tongue area, below the propane tanks. The end of the "Pigtail" goes into a junction box, along with the main lead from the battery disconnect switch.

Numerous crimped connections in this area.

If I had the same problem as yours I'd pull the shore power plug and starting at the battery check for power on each side of each and every connector. Don't even need a multi-meter, in fact I prefer an old fashioned "Test Light" which consists of an ice-pick like probe with a small lamp in it and a piece of wire out the end with an alligator clip that you connect to the nearest ground.

If you pierce the insulation of any wire, which often i necessary, just seal the hole with some electrical tape.

Systematically work your way from battery (starting at the lead terminal) checking for power along the main wire to the converter.


BTW ---- Might be a good idea to check the ground connection. Everything to and from the battery passes through a single wire that, on my trailer, is connected to the frame just below the propane tanks. Another crimped connection with a self tapping screw holding it to the frame. Might be a good idea to remove the screw, take some sandpaper to the paint around the hole and make a bare spot on the metal. Then re-attach the ground connection. ALL 12v power passes through this single connection and on mine it doesn't appear that any prep was done before making the connection. Terminal is secured right to the painted surface, relying on the screw for continuity.

[iceclimber]

Originally Posted by iceclimber

Suggest you test the battery.

Oops missed you did that.