3 Black Wires in battery box

[Jorddarb]

I know I have seen this answer before, but now I can’t find it.

2107 North Point

So I have 3 separate same gauge black wires running into the battery box. I THINK that they are from the charger/converter, inverter, and possibly solar prep wire. None of them are labeled and I haven’t torn bulkheads apart yet to try to trace them. Anyone know where these wires run

[Grumpy]

I'd say converter/charger, Inverter and leveling jacks not solar.

Best bet is to connect one at a time and see what comes on. I've never seen any of them labeled in any of the rigs I've owned.

[Jeffur]

One could be charge wire from the trailer connection, one could be live wire to the breakaway switch / emergency braking.

[Danno]

One thing to remember is that black wires are not ground like in most DC applications. Even though RV's do run mostly DC, they use the black as "hot" standard like homes.

[Lake Huron]

I just looked at my 17 Northpoint 375 and I have 3 black wires and 2 red. One red and one black are paired together and are for the inverter that feeds the residential fridge. The other red is paired with a pair of black wires that are crimped into one eyelet. Those are for the main coach battery power. One of those black wires is for leveling system and one or two other things that are not connected to the main battery disconnect. I believe it's a safety thing that they always need power.

[Lake Huron]

Originally Posted by Danno

One thing to remember is that black wires are not ground like in most DC applications. Even though RV's do run mostly DC, they use the black as "hot" standard like homes.

Not on mine. Its wired as red as positive and black as negative.

[Riverman]

RED is positive on mine too.

[Lake Huron]

Heres how mine wired. The main coach is the Duracell up front and the inverter batteries are the pair of green 6v's in the background.

[Riverman]

Looks like red is on positive to me.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by Danno

One thing to remember is that black wires are not ground like in most DC applications. Even though RV's do run mostly DC, they use the black as "hot" standard like homes.

That's true. ALL cables coming to my battery box are black, both positive and negative. I wrapped red electrical tape on the positive ones, so I'll remember if I have to take them off.

I have a total of 3 cables coming in, two were positive, one was the negative.

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by Jorddarb

So I have 3 separate same gauge black wires running into the battery box. I THINK that they are from the charger/converter, inverter, and possibly solar prep wire. None of them are labeled and I haven’t torn bulkheads apart yet to try to trace them. Anyone know where these wires run

Can you get a sense of direction where they are coming from? Do two seem to come from one side and the one come from a different direction? That might give you an idea which ones are positive or negative. Maybe follow one to see where it goes. The ground wire might connect close by to a frame location.

[Jorddarb]

Thanks for all the replies. All of the wires were attached to the negative terminals of my battery bank when I purchased the rig new. I followed suit when I upgraded to 6 volt batteries. I am fairly sure two of the are from the inverter and the charger, but can’t figure out where the third one runs. I didn’t think about the leveling system. I will look at that today.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Jorddarb

Thanks for all the replies. All of the wires were attached to the negative terminals of my battery bank when I purchased the rig new. I followed suit when I upgraded to 6 volt batteries. I am fairly sure two of the are from the inverter and the charger, but can’t figure out where the third one runs. I didn’t think about the leveling system. I will look at that today.

I'll take a bet on auto leveling and the control board if you have a remote for the slides and awning. Many people have found it is not connected to the disconnect switch, as it looses memory of hitch height.

[Jorddarb]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

I'll take a bet on auto leveling and the control board if you have a remote for the slides and awning. Many people have found it is not connected to the disconnect switch, as it looses memory of hitch height.

I checked the wires coming out of the leveling control. They are a different gauge. I guess I’m gonna have to tear out some bulkheads to trace them

[Joan617]

Consider getting a tone generator/ wire tracer set, starting at about $20-30 at big box stores. Really handy for a lot of things around the RV or house.

[Lake Huron]

Originally Posted by Joan617

Consider getting a tone generator/ wire tracer set, starting at about $20-30 at big box stores. Really handy for a lot of things around the RV or house.

Yes they are. I use them every day at work.