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Post by chucknjill on Nov 15, 2015 10:34:32 GMT -5
Hi everyone. First post. My apologies if this has been covered - searched and couldn't find what I needed.
My wife and I have a Sportsman 13FKT that we really enjoy.
12V system is not working. Battery is fully charged. Fuses in the fusebox/converter were all checked and OK. Everything works when connected to AC power. Is there a separate fuse somewhere between the battery and the fusebox? Other suggestions?
Thanks for your help.
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Post by wolftrax on Nov 15, 2015 14:34:25 GMT -5
When you say the 12V system is not working, do you mean all the interior lights? We only have one actual 12V connector for the TV on our Sportsman and there is a switch for the antenna amplification.
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Post by lynnmor on Nov 15, 2015 14:43:39 GMT -5
There should be a circuit breaker as you trace the positive battery cable towards the trailer front wall. Check the voltage at the battery and then at both posts on the breaker.
It is a very good idea to add a switch to a battery cable, perhaps you have one that is turned off.
If you have no volt meter, you need to get one. Any cheap meter will be OK, sometimes they are free with a coupon at Harbor Freight.
Report back.
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Post by chucknjill on Nov 15, 2015 19:30:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. Lights, antenna switch, CO detector, 12V plug, fresh water pump - anything that runs on the 12V circuit does not work unless connected to AC power (via the converter). When hooked up to AC, everything works fine. Battery is fully charged (checked with meter).
I will look for the breaker box later this week (trailer is stored off-site) and report back. Thanks for the tip.
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Post by lynnmor on Nov 15, 2015 19:54:41 GMT -5
What kind of meter did you use? What was the battery voltage?
The breaker you are looking for is about an inch long.
Check your ground wires, both the battery cable and the wire from the converter to the frame.
Do you disconnect the battery when you park the trailer? If you don't disconnect, the battery will die in a matter of days.
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Post by spadoctor on Nov 16, 2015 7:40:56 GMT -5
The circuit breakers are usually located next to the junction box mounted to the front A frame near the battery box rack. I have had that breaker rot away as well as the one on the rear for my power stabilizers. A replacement at Advance auto is about 3 bucks....I now keep a spare and extra wire terminals just in case
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Post by johnr on Nov 16, 2015 8:02:00 GMT -5
Do you have an electric tongue jack? Does that work when you're not on shore power? If so, I'd say you have a battery disconnect switch that is turned off.
Otherwise, I'm not sure because the water pump should be directly in line with the battery and not go through the converter, right?
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Post by poppachris on Nov 16, 2015 15:16:43 GMT -5
Do you have an electric tongue jack? Does that work when you're not on shore power? If so, I'd say you have a battery disconnect switch that is turned off. Otherwise, I'm not sure because the water pump should be directly in line with the battery and not go through the converter, right? An open battery disconnect switch is exactly what I was thinking. |
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Post by spadoctor on Nov 16, 2015 16:20:18 GMT -5
THAT LINE DOES NOT HAVE DISCONNECTS
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Post by niden08 on Apr 12, 2016 11:02:34 GMT -5
Did you ever figure out your problem? I have the same issue. Battery is fine, when I test it I can put neg on camper and pos on battery and it shows current. No fuses are blown and I replaced the one right by the battery. I disconnected from battery and replaced water pump switch and when I put all back together nothing on 12v works.
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Post by paroadking1 on Apr 12, 2016 13:17:23 GMT -5
Even if the main breaker looks ok, it might have tripped. Try turning it off, wait a couple seconds, then turn it back on.
Also could be a bad resettable breaker, near the battery?
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Post by niden08 on Apr 13, 2016 0:15:21 GMT -5
I've flipped the breaker in a number of different ways, but nothing. Does the 12v go through the breakers or just the fuses? Other than the one by the battery of course, although I'm not sure what that is for exactly. So I can touch the positive end of the multimeter to both sides of the breaker by the battery and the neg end on both the battery and grounded metal on the chasis and it has current. So does that mean the problem is past the ground? I'm so confused.
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Post by niden08 on Apr 13, 2016 0:19:10 GMT -5
Could it be the converter? Even though the current doesn't need converted. Or could the breakers need replaced and not just flipped?
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Post by lynnmor on Apr 13, 2016 6:40:42 GMT -5
Get a volt meter. Report the battery voltage at the battery. Plug in the trailer and report the voltage again.
This will tell us if the battery has a useful charge and if the converter is charging it.
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Post by tmmull on Apr 13, 2016 14:13:54 GMT -5
I've flipped the breaker in a number of different ways, but nothing. Does the 12v go through the breakers or just the fuses? Other than the one by the battery of course, although I'm not sure what that is for exactly. So I can touch the positive end of the multimeter to both sides of the breaker by the battery and the neg end on both the battery and grounded metal on the chasis and it has current. So does that mean the problem is past the ground? I'm so confused. Your breakers in the inside panel are for the 110v side and the fuses for the 12v. The only breaker that will affect your battery is the one for the converter, If it trips the battery will not charge when the trailer is plugged in to shore power. As for testing your 12v system, start at the battery. Put your red lead on the positive battery post and black on the negative battery post. Your multi-meter should read 12 volts, give or take, depending on your battery's state of charge. Move your black lead to the trailers frame to verify the Ground (You may need to scratch a bit to connect to bare metal). If you still have the same voltage the ground is ok. Now move your red lead to the battery side of circuit breaker by the battery and you should read the battery voltage. Now test the trailer side. If there is battery voltage on the battery side and no voltage on the trailer side the breaker is bad. If you have battery voltage on both sides of the breaker you need to check for voltage inside by removing the electrical panel cover. If you need more help chime back in and I'll try to work you through it. |
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Corky
Newbie RV’er
Going from Dallas, TX to Portland, OR & back next month with 2 month old 23' 2015 Sonic. Where can I
Posts: 4 
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Post by Corky on May 10, 2016 8:24:31 GMT -5
Our 2 month old Venture 23' Sonic also has a battery that goes down when parked. We even had the battery replaced under warranty by the Battery manufacturer. Still goes down. Any more advice before I start? Thanks, Corky
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Post by tmmull on May 10, 2016 10:41:24 GMT -5
Our 2 month old Venture 23' Sonic also has a battery that goes down when parked. We even had the battery replaced under warranty by the Battery manufacturer. Still goes down. Any more advice before I start? Thanks, Corky Parked how long? It's normal for the battery to drain down over several weeks, if it's only lasting days than something is drawing power. Make sure all lights and appliances are off including the antenna booster. Check any lights in storage compartments. If it still drains fast have the dealer check for parasitic draw. |
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Post by lynnmor on May 10, 2016 13:34:44 GMT -5
Our 2 month old Venture 23' Sonic also has a battery that goes down when parked. We even had the battery replaced under warranty by the Battery manufacturer. Still goes down. Any more advice before I start? Thanks, Corky Install a battery disconnect switch. Turn it off when parked. switch |
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Corky
Newbie RV’er
Going from Dallas, TX to Portland, OR & back next month with 2 month old 23' 2015 Sonic. Where can I
Posts: 4
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Post by Corky on May 10, 2016 15:15:08 GMT -5
I called the dealer service manager, she said without power, the battery will go down quickly after 2 or 3 days. I said, so you can't dry camp then & she said not without a generator. I just don't believe they would make a trailer that will not dry camp! Is she correct?
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Post by lynnmor on May 10, 2016 18:19:49 GMT -5
I called the dealer service manager, she said without power, the battery will go down quickly after 2 or 3 days. I said, so you can't dry camp then & she said not without a generator. I just don't believe they would make a trailer that will not dry camp! Is she correct? She is somewhat correct. You can dry camp for an estimated 8 hours or 8 days depending on how many batteries you have, how they are used and the state of charge before and after the camping trip. A generator is the best bet for dry camping. |
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