power in camper help

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Jul 18, 2020 | 11:21 PM

AMXDREAMER

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Fleet Mechanic

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From: Vancouver, BC

power in camper help

Checked on the camper today to see if things were still all good. I went to turn on the radio and nothing, which is weird as I have the camper plugged in. Power gets to the camper and then nothing inside. GFI was checked and all breakers are good. Any other suggestions for next time I head over there in a few days? Guess I will need to open things up and test the converter to see if it's getting power and making power?

Jul 19, 2020 | 07:22 AM

RV_Tech

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From: Bristol, TN.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMXDREAMER

I am not clear. Do you mean you are not getting 12 VDC power or neither AC or DC power?

Steve

Jul 19, 2020 | 06:16 PM

beachcamperf250

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From: Salisbury, MD

Need more info. Could be as easy as the radio needs to be reset to turn back on.

Jul 19, 2020 | 09:13 PM

AMXDREAMER

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The camper worked fine last summer. The 12V worked flawlessly while not plugged in to shore power. When plugged into shore power the fridge/TV/microwave etc all worked fine. Battery was out of the camper all winter and in the garage on a trickle charger. Several months ago I dewinterized the camper. I went to check on the camper yesterday and decided to turn on the stereo. It did not work so I checked the meter for the battery which said it was dead. This was odd because the camper has been plugged in the past couple of months to keep the battery charged etc. Power was checked at the outlet and the cord and there is still nothing inside the camper when plugged in.

Jul 19, 2020 | 09:24 PM

RV_Tech

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From: Bristol, TN.

With a dead battery you know the converter was offline. It has either died or the polarity reversal fuses are blown, the one not inline on the positive buss.

what converter do you have?

Steve

Jul 19, 2020 | 10:34 PM

AMXDREAMER

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From: Vancouver, BC

I'm not sure, I need to open up the cabinet and look. Are there fuses on the converters?

Jul 20, 2020 | 07:05 AM

RV_Tech

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From: Bristol, TN.

If you have what is called a deckmount converter it is a stand alone and has two fuse on it. If you have a combination converter/distribution panel the power board is built in and the all the fuses are all in the same area. A WFCO 8945 is the most common model used in a lot of campers. If the converter has some age on it and you were leaving it plugged in constantly, it probably simply dies of old age. Although coverters are taken for granted, they do have a limited lifespan.

Steve

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Jul 20, 2020 | 08:57 AM

AMXDREAMER

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From: Vancouver, BC

Thanks Steve and Jim, I don't usually leave the camper or my trailer plugged in. I either remove the battery and keep on a tender or plug in a week or so before I head away. I'm hoping I just bumped something when I was working behind there in the fall winterizing the pump. I'll have to take a look in the next couple of days. Hope it's not the entire unit

Jul 21, 2020 | 05:42 PM

#10

AMXDREAMER

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From: Vancouver, BC

I took a good battery to the camper today and a few tools. Replaced the battery and 12 V works fine. traced wires back to breaker panel. Found the fuse from the 7-way from the truck and the 15A in there was blown (I believe it was like this when I purchased the camper) so I replaced that. I also found the 15A fuse for the HWT was blown so I replaced that. Odd as the propane and electrical to the HWT is off and the tank is empty from the winter. Again, probably from the previous owner. Traced power from exterior to panel and everything seamed decent. Tried it plugged in, still nothing. remoed the adapter and extension cord and used the proper cord (I use the cheaper adapter and cord so in case it gets stolen) and it works. Looks like the adapter doesn't make good connection and unless just right it loses power. I must have bumped it over the winter or something. Oh well, it works and it didn't cost me anything but time and I learned more about the camper and the wiring etc.