What happens when you connect the battery BACKWARDS

[Riich]

Originally Posted by us71na

Actually it looks like it was orginally connected correctly with the two black wires connected to the positive terminal and the white to the negative, which is standard trailer wiring.

Yep, I wasn't referring to that exactly, technically everything is hooked up correctly polarity wise, but when they jumped the negatives together with the red wire I had to fix it. I now only have only red and black wires to deal with, so there is very little chance of me or a future owner reversing the leads. Colored tape goes a long way in making stuff like this idiot proof.

[us71na]

If the large red wire is removed you are only using one of the two batteries for power. Connecting two batteries together in parallel gives double the amp hours of a single battery.

[Riich]

Originally Posted by us71na

If the large red wire is removed you are only using one of the two batteries for power. Connecting two batteries together in parallel gives double the amp hours of a single battery.

Yep. I know. I am a master electrician.

The point I am trying to make here is that in the picture, the negatives are jumped together with red. Red is normally associated with the positives.

But in the end stick with what works for you. I fully understand why with using black and white on an RV it would be easy to get your polarity wrong.

[wabirch]

Originally Posted by Iraqvet05

I did that once and the blew all the fuses you mentioned. I need to put red tape or heat shrink tubing on all my positive wires to remind me what goes where.

Great idea!

[GKofTX]

This seems to be the perfect time to ask a simple question.

My battery box filled up with rainwater ruined the battery and rusted/corroded the wires at the terminals. In my haste to remove the battery, I lost track of what colors go to which terminal. I've got white & black & green. Is there a standard way a single battery Jayco 26 should be connected.

Thanks

[Kenelz]

Done that on other stuff. Now, I use a shot of red spray paint on the top quarter of the battery positive side, cable and all.

[Backstrap Bill]

Check your inverter operation if you have one. Most have a fuse and/or breaker inside the cover to protect the guts from reversed polarity.

[Seann45]

"What happens when you connect the battery BACKWARDS " Your wife gives birth to a politician? (of any political persuasion)

[Dicksharp]

Not sure about trailers, but most newer rv’s have crt. Breakers. Sometimes there are fuses in the thermostats. There should also be magnetic reverse voltage switches in the power box, for DC. and AC.
Somewhat expensive but a newer power control unit might be a thought.

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by Dicksharp

Not sure about trailers, but most newer rv’s have crt. Breakers. Sometimes there are fuses in the thermostats. There should also be magnetic reverse voltage switches in the power box, for DC. and AC.
Somewhat expensive but a newer power control unit might be a thought.

Or a better memory.....

[jjtotten]

Another challenge that can raise its ugly head with reversed polarity is the damage done to half of the diodes in the alternator. Typically this happens when someone makes a mistake jumping a low battery. Half of the diodes of course will not produce enough current to keep the battery charged. Hope all those fuses protected the alternator also.

[2edgesword]

My Jayco 28RLS has red (+) and black (-) plastic insulation AND labels.