2021 Wolf Pup electricity issues

[jshanna32]

Hi all - I’m having some strange voltage readings on my 2021 Wolf Pup 16FQ.

I noticed the battery voltage meter jumping around like crazy today - reading between 12.6-16.2 and not staying consistent at all.

I shut off the battery switch, and the voltage stabilized to 13.5. While still connected to shore power and the battery switch off, both my fridge and lights still work. also, if I disconnect from shore power with the battery on, nothing runs (even the voltage meter) - it’s acting like the battery is totally dead.

Terrible timing as I full time and am leaving in the morning for several days for the holidays, and my cat will be staying behind in the trailer.

Couple questions:
- Any ideas on what is causing the voltage to jump around and how to fix?
- With the battery disconnected, how are my lights and fridge still running? I thought those were 12V and ran through the battery.

I want to ensure the electrical system is operating safely while I’m away, given the heat, AC and fridge all need power while I’m gone.

Thanks for any input!

 

[bubbles-FRF]

You're on shore power so the converter is still supplying 12Vdc to the unit. Sounds like the converter may be going south though.

 

[jshanna32]

So for the time being, is it OK to leave the battery off while I’m away for a few days and everything will still run? Then I can get the converter looked at when I’m back.

 

[bubbles-FRF]

So for the time being, is it OK to leave the battery off while I’m away for a few days and everything will still run? Then I can get the converter looked at when I’m back.

That's a question I'm not going out on a limb to answer. To many variables for my opinion and not being there. Maybe someone will chime in and help you make the call.

 

[Larry-NC]

No.

So for the time being, is it OK to leave the battery off while I’m away for a few days and everything will still run? Then I can get the converter looked at when I’m back.

No. The converter is flakey--it's producing that varying voltage (unless it's due to a bad connection somewhere). You cannot trust it to keep your cat warm. Make other arrangements; maybe you can board it.

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

You cannot trust it to keep your cat warm. Make other arrangements; maybe you can board it.

^^^ x2. Board the cat or find a friend to keep it.
I'd suggest shutting off the power to your rig and unplugging it from the power source while you're gone. There is a possibility that whatever is going wrong could start a fire.

 

[wmtire]

I shut off the battery switch, and the voltage stabilized to 13.5. While still connected to shore power and the battery switch off, both my fridge and lights still work. also, if I disconnect from shore power with the battery on, nothing runs (even the voltage meter) - it’s acting like the battery is totally dead.


- With the battery disconnected, how are my lights and fridge still running? I thought those were 12V and ran through the battery.

Please read this thread to give you an understanding of what the converter is/does.


https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f215/converter-or-inverter-they-are-different-152813.html


You could be having converter problems OR you could have a bad battery (which is what I am more leaning towards)

 

[Larry-NC]

Don't remember...

Please read this thread to give you an understanding of what the converter is/does.


https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f215/converter-or-inverter-they-are-different-152813.html


You could be having converter problems OR you could have a bad battery (which is what I am more leaning towards)

I don't remember ever seeing a battery giving a variable voltage, especially one that peaks at 16 Vdc.

 

[Aussieguy]

how is voltage being measured?


do you have a multi meter to double check if any electronic control center (if you have one) is playing up


confirm voltage at :

battery when it is disconnected
fuse board / converter wires

 

[Aussieguy]

+ check battery connections are clean and tight
any solar? if so read further if not ignore?

disconnect panels and the charge controller
that way you are back to basic battery and converter

once you have established battery and controller are good


reconnect solar...
if after solar is re-connected

the problem comes back it may be the solar controller