I've lost all power

[EllenInFlorida]

Woke up this morning and I have no power at all.
Fridge and lights are running on the battery. Thats it.
Hot Water heater gives the DSI Fault
No AC in Florida isn't fun.

I reset all the breakers. Is there one fuse that controls everything? And I swear I smell propane.

Its going to be impossible to find someone to come out on New Years Eve.

Anyone have any suggestions?

I live in a Forest River 171 RB XL

[CedarCreekWoody]

If the circuit breakers in the trailer are good check that the pedestal you are connected to has not tripped.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by EllenInFlorida

Woke up this morning and I have no power at all.
Fridge and lights are running on the battery. Thats it.
Hot Water heater gives the DSI Fault
No AC in Florida isn't fun.

I reset all the breakers. Is there one fuse that controls everything? And I swear I smell propane.

Its going to be impossible to find someone to come out on New Years Eve.

Anyone have any suggestions?

I live in a Forest River 171 RB XL

Just to clarify: what manufacturing line is a "Forest River 171 RB XL"? Wildwood, Sabre, RiverStone, Cedar Creek?

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

If the circuit breakers in the trailer are good check that the pedestal you are connected to has not tripped.

Agreed.

Start outside and check the campsite power.

Then unplug both ends of the cord to check for melting.

Then move into the camper and check the circuit breakers.

I'm assuming something has tripped.

EllenInFlorida, where in Florida are you?

[5picker]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Agreed.

Start outside and check the campsite power.

Then unplug both ends of the cord to check for melting.

Then move into the camper and check the circuit breakers.

I'm assuming something has tripped.

EllenInFlorida, where in Florida are you?

^^ Start here^^

When checking electrical systems one has to start with the basics and begin the diagnostics at the point of origin.

Start at the pedestal and work your way towards the R/V checking every connection and breaker.

Already having considered the obvious connections and breakers, electrical issues/circuits can be easily tested with a simple multimeter.
If you don't have one, think about getting one (they can be had for free at Harbor Freight) or find a neighbor who might have one and willing to check for you.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by EllenInFlorida

Woke up this morning and I have no power at all.
Fridge and lights are running on the battery. Thats it.
Hot Water heater gives the DSI Fault
No AC in Florida isn't fun.

I reset all the breakers. Is there one fuse that controls everything? And I swear I smell propane.

Its going to be impossible to find someone to come out on New Years Eve.

Anyone have any suggestions?

I live in a Forest River 171 RB XL

Ellen, as others have suggested, check your basics and start at the incoming 120 volt AC power source.

The DSI fault on your water heater indicates it failed to ignite on propane (which is 12 volt DC like your lights). This may be because of a low battery since you said your lights are currently running on the battery.

You have two electrical systems in your trailer, with some stuff that operates off of 120 volt AC, and other stuff that operates off of 12 volt DC.

If you lose 120 volt AC power, then the things that need it to function will not work (Air conditioner, microwave, electrical outlets, etc)

Your 12 volt DC things will work up until the battery runs down (lights, thermostats, fans, furnace, water heater on propane/dsi, etc).

You have a converter that takes 120 volt AC and converts it to 12 volt DC so your battery doesn't have to provide this power, but it cannot work without 120 volt AC....so you will eventually run out of battery power....unless you correct the 120 volt AC.

This thread may help in the understanding of it.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...nt-152813.html

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by 5picker

^^ Start here^^

When checking electrical systems one has to start with the basics and begin the diagnostics at the point of origin.

I don't want to derail the thread but 5picker, there are TWO good ways to fix electrical systems. Consider a simple phonograph or guitar amplifier that no longer produces sound. You could either:

• Start by providing signal at the input and probing forward element by element until you no longer see the signal on your oscilloscope/AC voltmeter, or
• Start with a signal injector at the speaker and probe backward until the signal is no longer heard.

The latter actually takes less equipment; a signal injector is a lot cheaper than a scope.

Similarly, on an RV with a light that has no power, you could start at the power source and probe forward with a voltmeter/test lamp or you could start at the light and probe backward. Given the quirky way that RVs are wired, it would actually be easier to trace and test the wiring by using the latter scheme.

Larry

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

Just to clarify: what manufacturing line is a "Forest River 171 RB XL"? Wildwood, Sabre, RiverStone, Cedar Creek?

Dan, Wildwood and Salem both make a 171 RBXL, a travel trailer with a murphy bed.

[EllenInFlorida]

That was it. The breakers on the pedestal were tripped. I feel dumb LOL


Thanks guys! I have AC again!

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by EllenInFlorida

That was it. The breakers on the pedestal were tripped. I feel dumb LOL


Thanks guys! I have AC again!

Thanks for returning and posting your findings. Don't let feeling dumb hinder your education!!

[CHICKDOE]

any idea why the pedestal breakers tripped? if you have a 50 amp trailer and are plugged into a 30 amp pedestal via an adpater i could easily understand why they tripped, especially since you mention running an a/c (or two)?