Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-19-2017, 01:38 PM   #1
Member
 
lfcave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Omaha
Posts: 46
Battery, electrical question

Up front, I am a failure at figuring out electrical problems. That said, does anyone have an answer to my non-emergency quandary?
My trailer hibernates at son-in-law and daughter's house between our adventures. We brought it home yesterday to get ready for a 3 week trip.
I tried to turn on the lights using the general switch by the door. No lights. Checked battery level and it was at 3/4 on the panel. My first thought was the battery fuse had blown but it was OK.
So I plugged the trailer into house current and everything worked.
Would the battery not being full be the cause for nothing working off the battery. Or should I look for another reason nothing worked.
lfcave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2017, 02:29 PM   #2
Site Team
 
norty1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 22,753
Can you leave it plugged in and charge the battery. Do you have a way toi disconnect the battery between trips when it's sitting idle. The battery has parasitic loads on it if it's not disconnected and your battery may be discharged.

The converter when plugged up to 120v may bring it back up.
__________________
Moderator
2011- 351RLTS Eagle, MorRyde suspension/pin box,
2017- F350 6.7 PSD Lariat FX4,SRW, SB,CC
Hughes PWD SP-50A, TST TPMS
Gator roll-up bed cover
B&W Turnover ball, Companion Std hitch
Can't find what you're looking on JOF? Try Jayco Owners Forum Custom Google Search
norty1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2017, 03:15 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Milpitas
Posts: 1,625
Follow Norty1 suggestion. But if you want a quicker solution, put a multi-meter across the battery after you disconnect it from the trailer, see what the voltage is. The one concern I have, after you follow Norty1 suggestion, make sure you check it again after 12 hours. While you may be able to charge the battery, it may not hold the charge. I also suggest you purchase a trickle charger; batteries don't do well if they just sit for long periods of time. What ever you do, don't wait until the day before you leave .
__________________
2019 Chevy express 2500 Van Coversion. 2017 Jayco 23MRB: 26' total and Glacier Package. 2 Renogy solar panels. Married 49 years. Haley the mutt, 4 years old. "Excited to learn new things everyday and humbled by those who offer to help." And very grateful to our Moderators!
travelingjw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2017, 03:19 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 1,954
Let it sit for 24 hours, then disconnect shore power and try the switch and battery level again. If it shows full and the lights work, then your battery was too drained to power the lights. In that case, to prevent future occurrences install a battery disconnect as norty1 suggests, or simply pull the main fuse located on the positive battery cable at or near the box. Don't forget to replace the fuse when you are ready to go again.

If your lights still don't work, then there is something wrong on the battery supply side; most probably a main fuse or loose connection at the battery or where the neutral wire connects to the frame.
__________________
2011 Jayco X19H (purchased 2015)
2008 Jayco 1007 PUP (purchased new, traded for the X19)
2018 Nissan Titan Midnight Ed.
bankr63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2017, 06:29 PM   #5
Member
 
lfcave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Omaha
Posts: 46
Thanks

Thanks for suggestions and advise. It will help in the future.

I plugged the trailer into house current for about 6 hours and all of the items that are to work on battery work now.
I have a sneaking suspicion that my 7 and 4 year old granddaughter kids sneek the trailer keys, turn on the pump, and use the trailer as an outdoor bathroom because I have found the the pump on and the door unlocked more than once. I think that drained the battery enough to so it wouldn't power the lights.
lfcave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2017, 08:38 AM   #6
Site Team
 
Mustang65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
As mentioned earlier, you need a disconnect switch. There are a few other items that you need for basic 12VDC testing:
- A Volt/Ohm digital meter (Walmart between $8 - $25)
- A Digital Voltage Display for 12VDC accessory plug (Amazon - see below)
- A Digital Voltage Display for 110VAC outlets. Lets you know what the voltage is from the CG.

The LED display that comes with the TT's are useless.

With the Digital Voltage Display you will know exactly the voltage status of your 12Volt battery(s). When the display voltage drops to 12VDC you need to stop using the 12VDC system.


Don


My Registry

RVing with SOLAR
Attached Thumbnails
ELECTRONICS - 12VDC Voltage Display.jpg   ELECTRONICS - 110VAC Digital Voltage Display.jpg  
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 284BHS
2012 Ford F150XLT, EcoBoost w/3.73,Max Tow Pkg.
Our Solar Album https://www.jaycoowners.com/album.php?albumid=329
Mustang65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2017, 10:02 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
NVGun40's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Eagle River, AK
Posts: 900
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfcave View Post
Thanks for suggestions and advise. It will help in the future.

I plugged the trailer into house current for about 6 hours and all of the items that are to work on battery work now.
I have a sneaking suspicion that my 7 and 4 year old granddaughter kids sneek the trailer keys, turn on the pump, and use the trailer as an outdoor bathroom because I have found the the pump on and the door unlocked more than once. I think that drained the battery enough to so it wouldn't power the lights.
Keep in mind, as has been mentioned. When your trailer is just sitting, even with everything turned off, there are still parasitic drains against the battery. The Co2 detector, the radio, etc. have a constant draw. This is why people recommend a battery cutoff switch or they pull the main fuse. Those that can, also leave the trailer plugged in to shore power.
__________________
We are just a humble drinking couple with a hunting and camping problem.
2018 Jayco Octane 260
2019 Dodge Ram 2500, 6.4 Hemi, 8 spd A/T
2021 Argo Aurora 8x8/2008 Arctic Cat M1000 SnoPro
Previous: Komfort 5er/Jamboree MH/Lance Cabover/Jayco Whitehawk 25BHS TT
NVGun40 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2017, 12:47 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Jagiven's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,728
If the TT is in storage, not being used, and not plugged into an outlet. There are a number of parasite power drains on the system. So it is critical to disconnect the battery while in storage. I do not have a disconnect switch. For me I pull the battery cover off, and pull the 30 amp fuse at the battery. The battery can stay charged for many months when not connected to anything.

As for a key at the kid's place, might need to bring it home or put it up where they cannot get it.! Hate to say it but it sounds like the grandkid's need a little discipline.
__________________

2012 Jayco X23B
2020 Ram Laramie 3500 SRW Air ride 50Gal fuel tank.
2007 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab (sold)
Equal-I-zer 4-Point Sway Control
Jagiven is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2017, 02:53 PM   #9
Member
 
lfcave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Omaha
Posts: 46
You could be right on the grandkids. My only excuse is that they consider it a 2nd home and love going in it. ��
lfcave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2017, 04:33 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
ALJO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Sparwood, BC
Posts: 2,800
Send a message via Skype™ to ALJO
RV's are definitely no toys for kids. It also can be costly when they ruin your battery by fully discharging it. Also it has propane onboard. You'll never forgive yourself if something happens to them. Lock it!
__________________
2014 Ram 1500 CrewCab 4x4 5.7 Hemi 3.92 Rear and Air Lift 1000
2005 Jayco Jay Feather LGT - 29Y GVWR-7000 lbs.
Dexter Axle Lift 4-9/16" - installed with sub-frame.
Pro Series 1200 lbs. WDH with Double Sway Bar.
Champion 3100/2800 watt Inverter/Generator-Onboard Solar Power
ALJO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2017, 04:57 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Fort Wayne
Posts: 105
electrical

sorry to jump the post was wondering if anyone has ever had their coach light flicker while water pump is running any help will be great thanks
__________________
2016 Eagle HT RSTS
2017 FORD F 250 XLT LB 4X2 6.2 Gasses
430 Gears
sobuck1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2017, 04:49 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Waukesha
Posts: 608
You can install a battery disconnect switch. That way when the kids take the keys the TT will be dark but you will have a full battery. The deep cell battery will loose a little run time each time you run them under 50%. But keep in mind the cost for a new battery is only $100 BUCKS. You could install a small solar panel to keep the battery always charged for $30. Like this one
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
__________________
Rod and Linda
SE Wisconsin
2018 330RSTS
2015 Silverado 2500
rodro123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:37 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.