1940LTD Battery Connection

[derby]

I have a Forest River Freedom 1940LTD and don't remember how to reconnect my battery. This is my first camper and first winter. I forgot to snap a picture before disconnecting it I have two red wires, one black and one white (picture below). Anyone know how to connect these?

[bikendan]

If you just follow the wires, the white should end on the frame, meaning it's the negative wire.
The black should be the positive wire.

[f5moab]

Red wire with the circuit breaker is the winch motor and goes to positive, black is positive and white is negative (do what bikendan suggested to make sure) and the pinkish wire most likely is the ground for the winch motor (however on mine it is white). Best to see where it goes.

[derby]

Excellent, I do remember the white being grounded and the two reds being on opposite posts. I'll inspect it to confirm. Thanks for the quick help!

[Markfromhamilton]

Hey derby. Can you post a pic when you get it right. Like you this is my first winter and I didn't take a picture before disconnecting also.

Thanks Mark


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[derby]

Sorry, I meant to do that. I found that the two reds were both positive. The black and white cables were both negative. You can see the final connection in the image attachment.

I first used the information from f5moab and bikendan to make the initial connection. I honestly thought that I remembered the two reds on opposite posts. However, after connecting the red (w/ breaker) and black cable to + and remaining white and red cables to -, everything stayed dead. I also noticed that the negative post got really hot to the touch and quickly disconnected everything.

I set out to do a closer inspection of the cables. I removed the bottom cover under the winch and found that the red (w/ breaker) and black cables were both connected to the winch motor. You can see this in the other image. That meant the black needed to be negative since the red one with the breaker had to be positive. Since the white was connected to the trailer frame, I was left with the "pale" red cable. Since the camper power still needed a connection, I deduced that the orphaned red cable must be positive.

After making the connection, everything worked perfectly. I made sure nothing was getting hot and kept an eye on it just in case I missed something. I haven't had any issues, so the final result was indeed the correct configuration.

[Markfromhamilton]

Thanks derby


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[vinmaker]

I had the same set up when I picked up the unit. I used a zip tie on each to hold them together. I remember that the circuit breaker one goes to the positive. With them tied off into only two choices, you will never make a mistake again.

Vin.

[Markfromhamilton]

Great idea

thanks


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[marsh]

Thx Vinmaker...tying mine tomorrow!