No Power (resolved)
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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=15379
Printed Date: 19 May 2024 at 9:47am
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Topic: No Power (resolved)
Posted By: ampete
Subject: No Power (resolved)
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2022 at 8:37am
Just finished a great camping trip. Got home, disconnected from TV and there's no power in the camper-zero! I checked fuses in the fuse box under the dinette table (2014 R Pod 171) and all are good. No breakers tripped (we did use shore power on our trip). Lights, etc work fine when plugged into the TV.Fairly new batteries, 2 6V in series. Tested all power sources before the trip, including the batteries, all good.
Where else should I look for something that might be tripped?
Where is the converter?
Thanks! Pete |
Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2022 at 9:25am
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Hello Pete,
Okay, if you are not connected to shore power, you will not have any live AC outlets. I am guessing that you have no DC power either since you say that lights, etc. work fine when plugged into the TV. To answer the question about the converter, if your RPod has the WFCO-8955 converter, then it is below the breakers and fuses. Remove the front (4 screws), and the whole front panel comes off. You will see the converter below that. For safety, be sure to unplug from shore power before removing the front.
During the camping trip, was everything working okay?
Do you have a multimeter? If so, check the 2 6V batteries connected in series, both individually and together.
Did you connect the black cable to the positive terminal and the white to the negative terminal? If you reversed them, you probably blew the two 40A fuses in the power center. They are in the middle, between the AC breakers and the DC fuses.
Did you purchase this used? If so, did the previous owner install a battery cut-off switch? If so, is it turned on?
Please post battery readings when you check and whether the two 40A fuses are intact or blown.
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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
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Posted By: ampete
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2022 at 10:55am
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Many thanks Stephen...I will check all of the above. I need to borrow a meter from a neighbor, so it may take me some time. I checked the 2 40A fuses last night and both were intact. I will ask the previous owner if there is a battery cut off switch, I don't think there is?
I appreciate your advice. Pete
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Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2022 at 12:57pm
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ampete, you may want to consider buying an inexpensive multi-meter. It's a very important tool to have in your tool box when you're on the road and have urgent electrical repairs to make. Here is a cheap one from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Multimeter-Continuity-Multimeters-Multifunction-Protective/dp/B08LD6PDQQ/ref=asc_df_B08LD6PDQQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475752358038&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3145232585621080574&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003304&hvtargid=pla-1098529622830&psc=1 - https://www.amazon.com/Multimeter-Continuity-Multimeters-Multifunction-Protective/dp/B08LD6PDQQ/ref=asc_df_B08LD6PDQQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475752358038&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3145232585621080574&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003304&hvtargid=pla-1098529622830&psc=1 It costs $8.80. You can also get an even cheaper one at Harbor Freight for $7.
Good luck in tracking down the problem.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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Posted By: ampete
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2022 at 2:10pm
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Thanks---I've meant to get one. I'm thinking it might be easy enough to learn with you tube.
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Posted By: ampete
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2022 at 2:15pm
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You asked if all went well during the trip---- a squirrel chewed through the propane hose from the tank to the regulator. I had to turn off propane (obviously), but didn't catch it till I got back to my site, could have been a few hours.
Related? Maybe the darn critter ate through more in the underneath.......
And, I moved to a site that only had power a distance from the pad area and had to use an extension cord for 20 amp to run things. I carry a 30A extension cord, but the power box was even further.
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2022 at 3:33pm
Yikes, that's one dangerous squirrel. Lack of propane could possibly be related. If when you unplugged shore and TV power the fridge was still on it might try to run on 12V rather than propane which would discharge your trailer batteries pretty quickly.
The advice to get a multimeter is good. If you get one with clamp on DC current measurement capability it will allow you to track down stray load currents and determine what your charge current is. A basic voltmeter will only tell you what the battery voltage is.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2022 at 5:56pm
I have some friends who live near Sedona, AZ who have terrible problems with rodents eating or chewing on the wiring and insulation on their RV and cars. They have tried many remedies to keep them out but the ones that seem to work best are lights and predator pee. They set up lights under the hoods of their cars so it's bright as day underneath the vehicles. Apparently, the rodent's don't like to be out in full light as they feel that they can be seen by predators.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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Posted By: ampete
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2022 at 9:11pm
Yikes, lights and pee, haha.I have a bad shoulder so I can't move around too well right now. I contacted the local RV shop that I like, and they're going to take a look for me. I will purchase my own meter as well. My next planned trip isn't for a couple weeks. I'll post whatever they find so it may help others.
I appreciate all of the advice. Thanks everyone! |
Posted By: Desert Wanderer
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2022 at 8:05pm
check the breaker on the inverter it probably tripped.
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2019 R Pod 180
08 VW Touareg VR6
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Posted By: RoverPod
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2022 at 6:28am
Originally posted by Desert Wanderer
check the breaker on the inverter it probably tripped. |
A 2014 RPod likely does not have an inverter. It will, however, have a converter.
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2017 F150 XLT SuperCab
2020 rPod 180
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Posted By: ampete
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 10:11am
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Is that below the other breakers/fuses, remove the panel to access it??
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Posted By: ampete
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 10:11am
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Thanks, that clears things up for me. I appreciate it.
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Posted By: ampete
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 10:14am
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RoverPod,
Thanks---that clears things up for me. I appreciate knowing there may only be a converter. I will take off the access panel to see if a breaker has tripped. Still waiting to get it into the shop.
Pete
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 10:35am
You should not need to remove the face to see if a breaker is tripped. The front will open to let you see the fuses and breakers.
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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
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Posted By: ampete
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 11:55am
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Converter breaker looks fine, I reset it just to be sure. I hooked up the camper to shore power and I can hear the converter fan when the fridge is on battery. Only way to buy a meter; fingers crossed I just have dead batteries. Hoping it's the simple and lesson learned to not let them go dead over the winter, right?
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Posted By: ampete
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 11:55am
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Stephen H---you are right, the last breaker is the one labeled converter, 15A----thank you!
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Posted By: ampete
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 12:00pm
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Oops---that was ON MY WAY to buy a meter....
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 12:27pm
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Yes, don't let them get run down over the winter. Disconnecting and periodically charging or installing a battery cut-off switch (same thing, but more convenient) and periodically recharging keeps the batteries in good shape if you can't keep the RPod plugged in full time.
By the way, you can edit your posts (Post Options). I have done so many times when I saw that I had made an error.
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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
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Posted By: ampete
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 2:11pm
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Mystery solved----- the ground wire (white) coming from the camper to the battery's negative post cracked completely at the end of the cable so it isn't connected to the battery terminal at all.....
Simple I should've checked the simple stuff before reaching out. I do have a multimeter now! Thx again for the support-I'm learning, a definite work in progress.
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Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 3:00pm
Glad to know you found the problem. Please don't hesitate to reach out at the first sign of trouble. It helps others when you present a problem you encounter and solve, even if it turns out to be a simple one. We all learn from the experiences of others.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 3:27pm
Congratulations on fixing the problem. On your 6v batteries for maximum longevity don't draw down below 6.1v per battery or if both are hooked together 12.2v. By following this I have been able to use an 11+ year old battery many, many times and it still works well as we normally camp where there is no electricity as in national parks, state forest campgrounds or just out in the wild. Replaced one of our nearly 11 year old batteries last August with a 12v Trojan T-1275. 166 aH so it will last significantly longer than our other group size 24 battery when boondocking. We don't utilize solar or generator so after 10 days or so (depending on how much the furnace is used) we have to drive down the road for a while to charge the battery back up.
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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."
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 4:05pm
Congratulations. Please don't forget to mark this issue as solved so others will know.
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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
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Posted By: ampete
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 8:56pm
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How do I mark it "solved".....?
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2022 at 9:39pm
There should be an option under "Topic Options" (gear icon at top of page) to do so.
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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: ampete
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2022 at 8:37am
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I must see a different version (iMac). I don't have that option, nor do I have a revise reply option as you suggested earlier. I definitely appreciate your direction though.
Thanks for your support.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2022 at 11:52am
The "Edit Post" is at the top of your reply that you want to edit under "Post Options." The "Topic Options" which is on the purple bar at the far right under the page numbers. Since it is a web browser, you should see the same things that I do. However, I just looked on one of my topics and do not see the option, so perhaps it was removed or limited to moderators.
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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
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2022 at 3:11pm
Originally posted by ampete
I must see a different version (iMac). I don't have that option, nor do I have a revise reply option as you suggested earlier. I definitely appreciate your direction though.
Thanks for your support.
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Done.
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