Electrical Wiring Diagrams ???
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15496
Printed Date: 18 May 2024 at 7:33am
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Topic: Electrical Wiring Diagrams ???
Posted By: rPodCamping
Subject: Electrical Wiring Diagrams ???
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 1:08pm
Hello Fellow rPoders..............  Has anyone attempted to acquire an electrical wiring diagram for their trailer from Forest River.....or anyone else? I realize each trailer will likely be wired a little bit differently, i.e., wire location and placement may vary. But it seems to me that every rPod MODEL should have a basic electrical wiring diagram that shows the basic AC and DC layout based on the options that come with that particular model. Am I just dreaming? Bob Grand Rapids, MI |
Replies:
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 3:23pm
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I have never heard of anyone having a wiring diagram, the closest you can get is to ask some specific questions on this forum and maybe someone has already been there and done that. Be sure to include your rpod model number and year of manufacturing. Just keep in mind that your trailer has 2 separate wiring systems which you have pointed out the 12 volt side and 110 volt side. The trailer's battery(ies) feed the 12 volt side of the breaker box and the shore power plugin feeds the 110 volt side of the breaker box. Everything going through the breaker box is either fused or has a breaker and then it is distributed out into the trailer. The fuse and/or breaker labeling is the only indication of the trailer's wiring. There are exceptions to this and what comes to mind is the trailer's wiring for the running lights and breaking system and possible an electric awning. Hope this helps. And if you are dreaming I hope they're not bad dreams. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 5:14pm
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One would think FR would want to follow a consistent wiring system for both AC and DC with pre-made harnesses and such as are used in cars, but they seem to prefer to have the wiring in each trailer a bit different with each build. At times, I wonder if FR hired Lucas Electric (the Prince of Darkness)to design their 12 vdc systems. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: RoverPod
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 6:47pm
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Wiring diagrams don't exist for them. The wiring installation can change from day to day. ------------- 2017 F150 XLT SuperCab 2020 rPod 180 |
Posted By: rPodCamping
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 9:07pm
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See...............that makes no sense to me. How can FR ensure quality and consistency in its product line without wiring diagrams that the installers must follow?
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Posted By: rPodCamping
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 9:18pm
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I am very familiar with AC & DC systems in my trailer, and how the power center functions and distributes electricity throughout the trailer. That's not my question. An electrical wiring diagram would be helpful to me personally in diagnosing issues, making modifications, identification of circuits through wire color-coding, etc etc etc. I just heard from FR today. They will not provide them and you can't get them through the dealer network either. Too much liability..................
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2022 at 5:19am
The problem with having detailed documentation of your product, like a wiring diagram, is that then you would actually have to build them that way.  Consider this. If FR provided you with a wiring diagram for your trailer, it would be reasonable for you to rely on it being accurate. If it wasn't and as a result you burned up your trailer with you in it, the litigation would seriously hurt FRs bottom line, or worse. THAT is what FR really means when they say there is too much liability. Would it help FRs product quality if they could build their trailers consistently? Of course. But it's not in their manufacturing culture to be able to do that. And it's very difficult and expensive to make that kind of change. You lose lots of staff who resent all the controls. Believe me I've been there. I'm not just singling out FR BTW, the whole RV industry is like that other than a few high end brands. So, you won't see what you're asking for. Just generate your own schematic, and only trust it as far as you have personally verified the wiring. IOW, don't assume something is wired up the way you think would be logical.... ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2022 at 5:54am
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+1 to OG. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2022 at 9:03am
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+2 to OG On our recent 30 day trip last month we actually camped at a park with electricity behind Pikes Peak (Mueller State Park). Long story short, even though I was plugged in, nothing worked on 120, went back to battery, same thing. Kind of thought this trip was going to be cut short, I was out of ideas, and our slide was out as well. Fortunately my mechanical engineer brother helped to troubleshoot, and even then the electrical wiring made no sense, color wise on some of the switches, especially the toggle for the slide. Fortunately when we ordered this 177, back in January 2011 it was ordered without A/C, microwave/convection oven, or entertainment system (we rarely go where there is electricity anyway). He suggested I take the red wire off the converter (coming from the 120 feed) and put it on one of the open lugs that would have been used for A/C or the convection oven. I did and everything worked! Believe me, I was very thankful! Apparently the circuit must have shorted out on that line. So if this happens again (hopefully not) there is still 1 more open circuit to attach to. ------------- 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: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2022 at 11:04am
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You can pretty much figure that all wiring emanates from the power panel. Figure the shortest distance between that point and the thing you are providing power to. 12V up to the lights and probably the entertainment system and antenna amplifier. 120VAC to each of the things that require it. There will also be 12VDC coming to the power panel from the trailer connector. Not a lot more than that other than the emergency brake (and brakes & running lights) from the trailer connector. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2022 at 4:18pm
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+1 to all. rPodCamping, you will get to know your trailer over time. It can be a bit intimidating but just spend some quality time with it and before you know it, you'll understand not only the wiring, but plumbing, construction and mechanics. That acquired knowledge is one of the things that has prevented us from selling our 179 a couple of times. I'm not ready to the "learn" another RV just yet. ------------- Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Triumph T120 |
Posted By: RoverPod
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2022 at 6:20pm
The problem with this is assuming that "ensuring quality and consistency in its product line" is important to Forest River. ------------- 2017 F150 XLT SuperCab 2020 rPod 180 |
Posted By: Akula1
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2022 at 8:16am
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Since each model is unique, with my electrical background I recommend plugging into power (shore power), and turn off all breakers except the 30amp one. test each outlet and appliance, nothing should come on, then systematically turn on each breaker, and test again (for example, if you turn on the breaker for the a/c, only the A/C should have power). write down a list for what each breaker controls. Next, disconnect the power (shore power), take a picture of all the fuses (12VDC) in place, then remove all of the fuses except for the 30Amp fuses (Caution, use only an insulated fuse puller, anything else can short fuses or connections, and blow fuse). Next check all 12V operated equipment (Fridge, Tv, Stereo, etc...) Then insert the first fuse (refer to picture of fuses) with the fuse puller, and list everything that is powered by that fuse, complete that systematically. Now you should have a list of everything A/C & D/C on each breaker (120Vac) and fuse(12Vdc), the items listed on each circuit are in parallel (means everything on that circuit can work at the same time). This will help you with troubleshooting in the future with a multimeter. IF you are not sure or confident in what to do, go to a professional for help, and an electrician too. (My disclaimer) ------------- 2019 R-Pod 190 2019 Colorado LT |
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2022 at 9:12am
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+1 Akula1 this is a very good primer to gain knowledge about the trailer's electrical system while keeping in mind that power coming from the TV ( tow vehicle) is not routed through the 12v fuses in the breaker box. The primary use of the power coming from the TV is operating the trailer's running/brake lights, operating the trailer's brakes, and in most cases while the TV is connected to the trailer it is adding energy to the trailer's on board batteries. Hope this helps. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |