I need HELP!!!: New battery, no interior lights

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New battery, no interior lights

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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14447
Printed Date: 30 May 2025 at 2:35am
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Topic: New battery, no interior lights

Posted By: Kweissleder
Subject: New battery, no interior lights
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2021 at 2:36pm

Just installed a new 12 volt marine battery in Rpod 180. Why don’t interior lights work? Disconnect battery switch is in on position. Bad converter?

Replies:

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2021 at 3:44pm

Maybe. Double check to make sure your connections at the battery are 'tight.' I once hand tightened the nuts on the battery, went inside, and had nothing. Went back out and got a wrench, turned maybe 1/2 turn and lights worked.

Do lights work when you are hooked up to 120 shore power? When was the last time the lights worked and what power source were you using? Have you checked your fuses on the 12v side. Very easy to short out the 40 amp fuses if you momentarily short out a wrench on the metal frame while snugging down. More info please.

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2021 at 8:50pm

Also verify that you did not reverse the polarity of the connections.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2021 at 8:29am

A new battery should be well charged when you bought it, so it’s probably a bad connection or reversed polarity/blown fuse issue as our other members have suggested. That being said, you should buy a multimeter and keep it in your travel tool set. You can use that to get an accurate battery voltage and for troubleshooting your 12V circuits. Takes the guesswork out of it.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: Kweissleder
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2021 at 12:48pm

Battery was secured by wrench to correct terminals.
I will hook up tv to house current and see what happens. Thanks all for responding!

Posted By: Kweissleder
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2021 at 2:36pm

The interior lights do not work when plugged into 20 amp house power, however the AC does work. When I attached my car to Rpod, the interior lights went on. I, also noticed the power board showing levels of water, battery, etc was not on.

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2021 at 5:22pm

Okay, something is definitely not right. Check the two 40A fuses in the power panel. I suspect they are blown. Verify those connections to the battery. If the lights do not work when connected to shore power, it would indicate a converter problem. The converter should supply 12V when shore power is connected, whether or not a battery is present.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2021 at 5:52pm

+1, you have a 12V issue

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2021 at 6:11pm

+2 If not the 40A fuses then it would likely be one of the smaller 15A or 20A fuses that feed the lights and power board. Check for any red lights shining by any of the fuses. If it is lit, that fuse is toast.

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2021 at 7:43pm

Also check the breaker for the on board battery charger. That might have tripped which would explain why you don’t have 12v from it while on shore power.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2021 at 7:14am

Interesting indeed!

As OG says, get a Meter and start checking. Personally, I'd start by disconnecting the battery, hooking up to shore power and testing the connection clamps. My bet is you will have voltage showing from the converter.

If you can get the lights working from the Tow Vehicle and not the house battery, I suspect it's on the battery feed lines. There is a auto-breaker that comes off the battery under the trailer, exposed to the elements. Mine was right up front, just follow the wiring back off the battery. Check it on both source and feed sides.

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander

Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2021 at 6:53am

Any updates?? Still curious what the issue was.

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander