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pappyman · 12-02-2020, 09:39 PM

Hello, this is my first post and question.

I’ve got a 1999 Bigfoot 25C106B truck camper whose batteries won’t charge.

With shore power plugged in, batteries not charging. With truck plugged into camper and running, not charging.

I can’t get lights turned on inside camper, nor does the gauge that shows how much water is in tank, how much grey water, black water, etc work.

Nothing inside camper that is 12v dc dependent seems to work at all.

I called my local RV center and they said I need to find the battery disconnect and reset it. I have looked everywhere and cannot find a reset anywhere’s.

The dealer also said he has NEVER seen a truck camper without a battery disconnect.

Any Bigfoot truck camper owners know if these campers have a battery disconnect and if so, where is it located?

Thanks

radar · 12-02-2020, 09:44 PM

Give grant a call at the factory. If you can’t get in touch with him (he may be on the road) let me know and I’ll track it down. I’m 10 minutes from the factory.

laj · 12-02-2020, 09:45 PM

Just guessing, but look either under the sink, or in the step that you use to get into the cab over with. my best guess

pappyman · 12-02-2020, 09:53 PM

I called Bigfoot in Canada 2 days ago and haven’t got a reply, kinda disheartened to tell ya the truth.

I looked all around the step up into the bed, even taking the plate covering the power inverter off trying to locate a button or something. I’ve looked under the sink too and can’t find anything that looks like a reset button, switch, etc...

Where is it? I took off the wooden board covering the heating system thinking it might be hid under the seat closest to the bed, but again, nothing.

radar · 12-02-2020, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappyman

I called Bigfoot in Canada first 2 days ago and haven’t got a reply, kinda disheartened to tell ya the truth.

I looked all around the step up into the bed even taking the plate covering the power inverter off trying to locate a button or something. I’ve looked under the sink too and can’t find anything that looks like a reset button, switch, etc...

Ok. I’ll try and touch base with someone tomorrow.

laj · 12-02-2020, 09:56 PM

Well back then maybe putting them next to the batts. If not there i am at a loss. Not very familiar with them back then, sorry.

pappyman · 12-02-2020, 09:58 PM

Radar? 15 minutes from Bigfoot? Wow, if you would stop by Bigfoot, that would be awesome!

pappyman · 12-02-2020, 10:02 PM

Yah laj, I looked around the batteries too. I looked in all the exterior compartments trying to find something, but nothing.

I wonder if just disconnecting the batteries, then reconnecting the batteries would do something to reset what’s wrong? Heck I don’t know.

radar · 12-02-2020, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappyman

Radar? 15 minutes from Bigfoot? Wow, if you would stop by Bigfoot, that would be awesome!

Yep. Just down the road. I have a contact there. I’ll call tomorrow.

I also just sent a text to a tech that works at the local Bigfoot dealership. Literally 3 kilometers down the road from me. I’ll get back to you soonest.

pappyman · 12-02-2020, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radar

Yep. Just down the road. I have a contact there. I’ll call tomorrow.

I also just sent a text to a tech that works at the local Bigfoot dealership. Literally 3 kilometers down the road from me. I’ll get back to you soonest.

That’s just amazing to me. I hope they know the answer to my dilemma. Thanks for your willingness to do this for me.

Is it true that there should be a battery disconnect on truck campers? I’m new to this so I really don’t know and never even thought about a battery disconnect either.

radar · 12-02-2020, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappyman

Radar? 15 minutes from Bigfoot? Wow, if you would stop by Bigfoot, that would be awesome!

Ok. I just got two texts from the tech. Here are the cut and pasted.

“Hey John! I believe they do not have them in those years. Years after yes. If it would have one for some reason it would likely be near the battery compartment. inside the interior around the entry right side near door or inside under kitchen sink cabinet is the usual placement for relay”

“Pull a drawer near k sink and look in there also. Assuming if it may have one. If its all stock original I'd say no it won't have one”

Sorry. Not much help. I’ll still try and touch base with the tech at the factory tomorrow.

pappyman · 12-02-2020, 10:13 PM

Hmmmmm....if not a battery disconnect issue, then it has to be the inverter, right.

laj · 12-02-2020, 10:16 PM

I have not heard of newer tc’s not having one. At least you jumped in with a good one. If radar can’t get an answer, i will try a tech i know that is familiar with BF. The problem is Ron, and Grant didn’t own the co back then, but a lot of the techs were there and i think they hired all the good ones back.

Ron did work there before he bought it tho

radar · 12-02-2020, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappyman

Hmmmmm....if not a battery disconnect issue, then it has to be the inverter, right.

Not inverter, converter. In those years they used a 6345 magnetek converter. There is a 120 volt breaker for it in the adjoining breaker panel. If that is good then it could be the converter. Those were old fashioned 2 stage reliable converters but without a doubt if it is original equipment then it is at its end of life. There is a slide in solid state replacement for them available at any dealer. I believe the part number is something like 7345 something or other. Easy to change but if you are not handy with electricity get it done.

I’ll double check with the factory guy tomorrow.