Community Forums

stirus · 04-20-2016, 06:12 PM

So now I know that I should have taken the battery out and had it on a trickle charge...

I had the trailer stored inside, installed a battery switch, and turned it off for the winter. Now the battery is dead and even though I have it plugged in to my house I have no power in the camper.

Does the battery have to be charged for anything to work? Even when plugged in?

wingnut60 · 04-20-2016, 06:31 PM

Probably. Unless the converter is kaput...the converter changes 120 volt to 12 volt to keep the battery charged; the battery provides power to operate the 12 volt systems. If the battery has a dead cell, or won't hold a charge, then that is why the nothing works.
Two things--take the battery out, get it charged and checked for condition, if ok, then put it back in and see if anything works. Then check the converter output when NOT connected to the battery to see if it is putting out 12.5-13.0 volts--if not, it is bad and won't charge the battery when plugged in to house current.
Once you get the battery corrected, I'll bet the 12 volt stuff works.
Until you get these 2 items fixed, you won't be having any good times with the trailer.
Joe

stirus · 04-20-2016, 06:48 PM

Thanks wingnut60. So I just discovered the battery has been sitting in a pool of water (cover not properly on the battery case) for up to 3 weeks. That might have something to do with it... I now have it out of the rig and on a charger.

So with the battery out, I cannot plug the camper in and have anything work (120v outlets). Is that right?

wingnut60 · 04-20-2016, 08:45 PM

There is a thread somewhere here on that subject, but on my fiver nothing on the 12-volt side works if the battery is not in the circuit. A TT or fiver nowadays is basically a 12volt setup, except for items that will not work on 12volt--AC, micro, etc. Everything else is set up to operate on 12volt so that you can camp without hookups for a reasonable time. The converter keeps the battery charged only, it does not run the 120volt side. Some units have a converter/inverter that is an entirely different setup.
You can try without the battery, shouldn't hurt anything, and see if the micro will work--thats the best I can offer. Someone else with more knowledge will probably add to this. Be sure that the leads to the battery can't short to any metal objects when the battery is out and you plug the trailer in.

stirus · 04-20-2016, 09:07 PM

battery charged. everything working. Thanks!

wingnut60 · 04-20-2016, 09:20 PM

Now, make it a habit to watch how long it lasts, how much you use items that drain it, and check the water level in the cells.
Also, while a little expensive, consider changing all 12volt lights to LEDs, you will be amazed at how that adds to battery drain times.
Have a good time camping.
Joe