NMHunter51 Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Hello everyone, I am new to the forum and fairly new in the rv world. I am an avid outdoorsman who hunts and fish's all of the time. I started my experience with a dutchman pop up and have since upgraded to a 2000 Bigfoot Travel trailer. I am having several problems with my TT that I just cant figure out. The most important is this, when I have my trailer plugged into AC power, it will power all AC equipment just fine but will not charge my battery or power anything that is DC powered. I have tryed both firm power at my home and a campground and also a champion generator. It will not work with anything. Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathydavidb Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Look at the converter/ charger. It should be putting out around 13 volts. You can put a volt meter on it to check this. If it is not putting out then check it's fuses. They are usually auto blade type fuses on the outside of the converter/charger. Also check your breaker panel to be sure a breaker is not tripped to the converter/charger. If that is all OK check the battery to be sure it is OK & is charged up. These would be the things that I would check & may solve the problem. Good luck, Dave. 2006 Coachmen Aurora 36ft. Class A motor home. 2009 Honda CRV toad. "Snowbirds" apprx. 6 mos. each year. Travelling to the SW each winter than returning to Wi. each summer. Retired and enjoying our travels along with Buddy the cat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilishjim Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 And I bet in your next post about your black tank not dumping is that you have electric valves which are also 12 volt. So your converter is not working. When you drive around your pickup is throwing a lil bit of charge into the battery while driving. Hook a battery charger to your battery when parked until you can fix converter. I'm guessing that your fridge isnt working either being as it also needs 12 volts Jim Spence 2000 Dodge 3500 1 ton QC 4x4 dually 5.9 diesel LB BD exhaust brake, 6 spd manual trans 34CKTS Cedar Creek 5er, Trail-Air hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 I am new to the forum and fairly new in the rv world. I am an avid outdoorsman who hunts and fish's all of the time. Welcome to the Escapee forums! WE are happy to have you here and will do all that we are able to assist and support you. On the 12V problem, is this something new which used to work, or did you just buy the trailer and it has been that way since you got it? Have you checked to see if there is a 12V battery isolator that is open to save the battery when in storage? While there several things that could cause this, like a bad fuse or a bad 120V/12V converter, I would first check to see if you have a battery isolator that may be open. The current Big Foot trailer has a battery isolator as standard equipment, so I suspect that may be the issue and it could be either open, or failed. Do you own a meter that you could use to check for any voltages? Do the interior lights work, as they are usually 12V powered? It is difficult to know for sure what your problem may be without more information, but we will do our best! Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis M Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 A good place to start learning about your systems: The 12 Volt Side of Life Dennis & NancyTucson, AZ in winter, on the road in summer.1999 Volvo 610 "Bud" 425 HP Volvo, Super 10 spd.2005 Mountain Aire 35 BLKS2013 smart fortwo CityFlame riding on Bud(Replaced '05 smart first loaded in '06 and '11 smart that gave it's life to save me!)Our Travel Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roy67ss Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 I agree, look for a 12v shut off master switch. Roy 2011 GMC 3500 SRW CC, SB, Duramax/Allison 2008 HitchHiker LS 29.5 FKTG, 7000lb axles, Glide Ride, HD brakes, dual pane windows, 40" Panasonic, Magnadyne HTS, PD surge protector, etc. Mods: 5 gal pressure tank, Motosat dish, plumbing reworked, inside steps storage, SeeLevel tank gauges, Rear view camera, major changes to basement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cochran Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 I don't know about everyone's 12V shut off switch but can say how mine works. When my 12v switch is used it prevents 12 volt from batteries to all 12 v devices. However when you are on shore power the converter charger will still supply 12v to the devices. I am thinking there is a fuse on the 12 v output from the converter charger that maybe blown and needs replacement or perhaps a bad connection. If that is not it you will have to delve further into things and perhaps the converter is bad I hope not as this is probably the most expensive things to replace in the 12 v system. 2019 Thor Chateau 28E on a Ford E450 chassis. Maybe awhile but will get a new picture forgive one up there it is my old rig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Kirk gave, as usual, the best advice. Get a multi meter and learn how to use it. Now start checking things in a logical fashion. But first lets make sure you understand what the converter does. Normally all things 12V are powered by the battery. As said, when driving down the road the tow vehicle will (slowly) charge the battery. When plugged into AC the converter will supply power to all things 12V and also charge the battery. 1 Battery. Unhook the battery completely, and check it's voltage. 12.6v is full, anything less is not. Anything below 11 is not enough. Charge the battery with a separate charger. Unhook it when charged and let it sit for a while..... (24 hours is a good number). It should still read full. If not, get a new one. 2 Converter. Check that there is 120V AC going IN to the converter. Assuming you have a healthy battery, check that the voltage at the battery is at least 13v and preferably more when plugged into AC and the converter on. If any of the above does not check out there is a myriad of things that can be wrong, from a simple breaker reset to a faulty multi hundred dollar converter. It's all physics, and no voodoo. Learn the principles, analyze in a methodical fashion. Or, get a case of good beer and find someone who knows what they're doing..... I'm in Bethlehem PA. If you're near I'll happily take a look at it. Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjim Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 "Kirk gave, as usual, the best advice."Please don't throw fuel on the fire, we can hardly put up with him now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveh Posted January 22, 2015 Report Share Posted January 22, 2015 Welcome, Hope you get it figured out soon. I am sure you will. I like those Bigfoot trailers. Dave and Lana Hasper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted January 22, 2015 Report Share Posted January 22, 2015 Looking at the profile of the OP, it looks as though he has not been back to see what was suggested....... Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat & Pete Posted January 22, 2015 Report Share Posted January 22, 2015 It hasn't been a week , Kirk . We have to remember that this is a very active forum , much unlike a lot of forums on the web . Anyway , When checking the output of a converter , the leads to the battery have to be disconnected . If the leads are left attached , the reading could well be that of the battery if the converter is defective . Goes around , comes around . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wa_desert_rat Posted January 22, 2015 Report Share Posted January 22, 2015 I wonder if Outback uses a circuit breaker on the AC line to the converter. Or if their owner's manual includes a wiring diagram. WDR PS: Bigjim's post made me snort my coffee... big smile out there to Kirk 1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks 1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires Raspberry Pi Coach Computer Ham Radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat & Pete Posted January 22, 2015 Report Share Posted January 22, 2015 Hope your coffee wasn't too hot . Goes around , comes around . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted January 22, 2015 Report Share Posted January 22, 2015 "Kirk gave, as usual, the best advice." Please don't throw fuel on the fire, we can hardly put up with him now. Well, he's technically savvy and has a whole lot more patience than I do......I say we keep him around..... ;-) Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted January 22, 2015 Report Share Posted January 22, 2015 ......I say we keep him around..... ;-) Wow~! I was really worried about that............. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjim Posted January 22, 2015 Report Share Posted January 22, 2015 .I say we keep him around..... ;-) So what's wrong with one day at a time. It keeps our options open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarvan Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 Wonder how OP made out..... Previously a 2017 Forest River, Berkshire 38A, "The Dragonship". https://dragonship.blog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Wonder how OP made out..... The profile for NMHunter indicates that he has not been back since he made that first post. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreyStoico Posted September 7, 2015 Report Share Posted September 7, 2015 All you are doing very good and knowledgable discussion. Can anybody please help me to understand the all the RV devices mentioned in the post? I do not know anything about the RV devices. Where they have the applications? And also what kind of the problems these are in these devices for which you discussing about? electronic contract manufacturer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemsteadc Posted September 7, 2015 Report Share Posted September 7, 2015 A good place to start learning about your systems: The 12 Volt Side of Life Andrey.. read this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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