I have an 2007 Elite living quarters trailer purchased brand new in 2008 which I bought brand new batteries for last summer. I live in North Missouri. I have been plugging my trailer in off and on throughout the Winter so far. Today, I unplugged the trailer and checked my lights and they seemed to flicker and not be as bright as I would have expected them. My monitor said very low charge, but last Fall it seemed like my monitor was not working correctly because they said that and I had my husband check the batteries and he said they checked out fine. So today I told my husband to please check the batteries again for me. He went out and turned the battery back on and turned the lights on and nothing happened. I went out and did the same and they came on for just a few seconds. What could be the problem? He checked the batteries but he said they were okay. He is going to take them completely out of the trailer and see if that makes any difference.
Posted 2015-03-07 4:37 PM (#162786 - in reply to #162783) Subject: RE: Battery problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448 Location: Los Angeles, Ca.
Battery problems are usually caused by corroded terminals. Clean them and reassemble. Also check voltage at battery to make sure charger is working. Get a multimeter and check that the voltage is at least 13.2v or higher when the trailer is plugged in.
Posted 2015-03-07 8:33 PM (#162788 - in reply to #162783) Subject: RE: Battery problems
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
After the battery terminals are cleaned, coat the posts with dielectric grease, before you reattach the terminals. This will lessen any future corrosion and allow the full current to go to your converter.
Posted 2015-03-08 2:23 PM (#162796 - in reply to #162783) Subject: RE: Battery problems
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Lea Anne on 2015-03-07 1:12 PM
I have an 2007 Elite living quarters trailer purchased brand new in 2008 which I bought brand new batteries for last summer. I live in North Missouri. I have been plugging my trailer in off and on throughout the Winter so far. Today, I unplugged the trailer and checked my lights and they seemed to flicker and not be as bright as I would have expected them. My monitor said very low charge, but last Fall it seemed like my monitor was not working correctly because they said that and I had my husband check the batteries and he said they checked out fine. So today I told my husband to please check the batteries again for me. He went out and turned the battery back on and turned the lights on and nothing happened. I went out and did the same and they came on for just a few seconds. What could be the problem? He checked the batteries but he said they were okay. He is going to take them completely out of the trailer and see if that makes any difference.
Posted 2015-03-08 4:21 PM (#162797 - in reply to #162783) Subject: RE: Battery problems
Veteran
Posts: 153 Location: Grant City, Missouri
Is there a possibility that my converter is not working appropriately, or is shot? I had automatic jack added to my trailer last year and it is connected right at the battery box and does not run thru my converter. I left the trailer plugged in over night and nothing works once I unplug the trailer. The trailer is mine and my husband of seven years does not understand the way a converter works and I don't know how to explain it to him. Any thoughts?
Posted 2015-03-08 4:36 PM (#162799 - in reply to #162783) Subject: RE: Battery problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448 Location: Los Angeles, Ca.
Your converter is basically a 12v power source. It powers the 12v appliances, light etc. in the trailer. It also functions as a battery charger. If it is working properly,all of the lights, fans, pumps etc in the trailer will work when the trailer is plugged into a 120 volt receptacle. Again, a quick check is to check the voltage at the battery with the trailer plugged in. You should see at least 13.2 volts dc. If not, check the fuses at the converter.. It really is not too complicated.
Posted 2015-03-08 7:15 PM (#162803 - in reply to #162783) Subject: RE: Battery problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448 Location: Los Angeles, Ca.
Sounds like it could be a bad circuit breaker. Near the battery is a small device that will trip and usually reset if the current draw is too high. check both sides of circuit breaker to see if you have voltage going thru the breaker. That or fuses in your panel are about the only things that separates your battery from the loads inside.
Posted 2015-03-08 8:17 PM (#162807 - in reply to #162783) Subject: RE: Battery problems
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If the lights and accessories are working with shore power, then your converter is also working properly to provide the necessary 12v to run these systems. With your shore cord unplugged, you only have the batteries to provide the power for these circuits. Your jack needs many more amps than the converter can provide, and is usually wired directly to the jack's motor. How is your husband testing the batteries? Has he checked the various voltages with and without the charger activated? Has he removed and cleaned the terminals? Does your trailer have a three series charging system, or is it strictly a "dumb" charger? Older chargers will over charge a battery if they are left "ON" with no corresponding draw. This will over heat and quickly kill a battery. Some time spend with a multi meter is necessary to determine the source of your problems.
Posted 2015-03-10 2:14 PM (#162828 - in reply to #162783) Subject: RE: Battery problems
Veteran
Posts: 104
Make sure your master switch is turned on. On my trailer if plugged in to shore power with master switch off I have lights. If I unplug from shore power I have no lights unless I turn master switch on. Also, will not charge batteries unless master switch is in the on position.
Battery problems
