1st trip in the books...now more questions

jlindo · 10-01-2015, 12:44 PM

So we just took our new '16 BEWS out for its maiden voyage and now I've got a battery related question...

Should the batteries power the electric stabilizer jacks and also keep the clocks inside (radio/microwave) etc? I haven't tested everything inside on battery etc., nor have I checked out the battery but I'm concerned enough to ask some of you more seasoned vets. ***What all should be able to run solely off of battery power should the need ever arise?***

Other than that we had a fantastic 1st trip. I do highly recommend that first timers try to go out on a first trip with a seasoned vet. We went with my wife's parents and their experience camping helped us so much. From menu planning to hitching, driving and arrival setup to what needs to go inside, their experience and advice was awesome to have around. I learned a lot more from them than I did from the dealer on the walk-through etc.

OswegoLion · 10-01-2015, 06:44 PM

Wish I could help you with battery problem. We pick up our new Flagstaff 8528 IKWS Tuesday for PDI and then 2 nights at a nice KOA near the dealer. Getting a little nervous. I have never towed a 5th wheel before. Backing into a space will be a challenge. I've watched many videos.

jlindo · 10-01-2015, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OswegoLion

Wish I could help you with battery problem. We pick up our new Flagstaff 8528 IKWS Tuesday for PDI and then 2 nights at a nice KOA near the dealer. Getting a little nervous. I have never towed a 5th wheel before. Backing into a space will be a challenge. I've watched many videos.

Thanks! We had a great spot at a KOA here as well! Ours was a pull-thru though...something I'll definitely look for again!!! Have a great trip!

Ford Idaho · 10-01-2015, 06:55 PM

Lights.
Water pump.
Furnace -battery and propane.
Radio.
Fans.
Water heater- battery and propane.
12 volt television.

Paulie1138 · 10-01-2015, 06:57 PM

Oswego, recently bout a 5th wheel myself. It does tow incredible compared to a tow behind. Be careful turning, as the 5th will turn in tighter than your truck tire tracking. Pull out further before turning. Backing is a bit different, as well. Learn to "chase" your rig when backing. I finally went out to the church parking lot and practiced there. I still feel a bit like the village idiot backing up, but am getting a whole lot better, and comfortable with backing. It does back different than a towable, due to the pivot point being over the axle, instead of out behind your tow vehicle. That said, towing is night and day better!

OswegoLion · 10-01-2015, 08:43 PM

Thanks for the pointers Paulie. Tuesday won't come quick enough.

lbrjet · 10-01-2015, 08:54 PM

Microwave is completely 120. Radio usually 12 volt. Your battery should run everything except the outlets and the microwave.

2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

Paulie1138 · 10-01-2015, 09:00 PM

Took our Crusader out for its first long trip into the mountains on back country twisty 8 and 9% grade roads just before Labor Day. Was expecting a white knuckle drive. I was totally blown away how rock solid stable and predictable the tow was. So different than towing a borrowed 22' TT with load equalizer and sway bars! The 5er just hitches up, plug it in, breakaway cable, and yer off!

Paulie1138 · 10-01-2015, 09:09 PM

....and I did not mean to go off topic.

A32Deuce · 10-02-2015, 01:39 PM

Micro clock is 115. Everything else you said is 12volt. Bat switch was on?

jlindo · 10-02-2015, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Micro clock is 115. Everything else you said is 12volt. Bat switch was on?

Yes I found the battery disconnect. It works so much as to make it so the tongue back works or doesn't so that part seems to fine. Could there be some fuse I've blown inside that prevents juice from batteries powering these things?

A32Deuce · 10-02-2015, 08:54 PM

k the maxi fuses at the converter. That is protected so they blow if bat hooked up backwards and feed side. Big in size.

jlindo · 10-02-2015, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

k the maxi fuses at the converter. That is protected so they blow if bat hooked up backwards and feed side. Big in size.

Thanks, I'll check this in the morning! It's going to be a warranty thing in the end but I'd still like to understand why/how it happened.

jlindo · 10-04-2015, 01:15 AM

No go so far...I've checked all of the standard breakers and all good there seemingly. Also the same with the 40 amp fuses. Is there some other place to check fuses (inline or something) that I'm not aware of? How would the tongue jack work on battery...is it wired separately perhaps? Somehow still to the disconnect but still separate from the inside stuff?

hawki8624 · 10-07-2015, 03:08 PM

My tongue jack is wired directly to battery so it is not affected by the battery disconect switch which is wired in after the battery.

jlindo · 10-11-2015, 07:33 PM

So the final answer was a busted wiring connection/breaker that ran back from the battery disconnect to the converter/inverter. So no power was even making it from the 12V side into that system to begin with. Looks like they yanked on the wiring harness there to get the second battery installed maybe. Thanks for all the advice from everyone!

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