Posted 2015-06-11 5:08 AM (#163725) Subject: Batteries not charging
Regular
Posts: 83 Location: Minnesota
I put two new batteries in my living quarters trailer last fall. Yesterday when I hooked up the trailer, I used the electric jack and all was good. I'd also used the lights inside the trailer so knew the batteries were charged. I towed about 600 miles round trip and when I got home there was no power to unhook the trailer with the electric jack. Everything inside the trailer was dead ... no lights, no water ... nothing. It's almost as though being hooked up to the truck drained the batteries. Is that possible? All running lights and brakes still worked. I've checked fuses and everything looks good. I'm puzzled. Has anyone had similar experiences or have any ideas what might cause this? Thank you.
Posted 2015-06-11 6:11 AM (#163727 - in reply to #163725) Subject: RE: Batteries not charging
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
same thing happened to me a while back and it was the main ground wire on the battery's.once I cleaned the cable connection to the trailer frame all is well.
Posted 2015-06-11 7:39 AM (#163730 - in reply to #163725) Subject: RE: Batteries not charging
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If the batteries' cable connections are clean and secure, check the fuses/breakers powering your converter. You may have inadvertently caused a polarity or ground issue when the batteries were initially installed. The trailer's running lights and brakes are powered from your truck, not the LQ batteries.
Posted 2015-06-11 8:26 AM (#163731 - in reply to #163725) Subject: RE: Batteries not charging
Member
Posts: 34 Location: Montello, WI
Batteries should charge while towing. This of course depends on several factors, such as wiring and you tow vehicle. You may have a blown fuse on the tow vehicle.
Posted 2015-06-11 9:16 AM (#163738 - in reply to #163725) Subject: RE: Batteries not charging
Regular
Posts: 83 Location: Minnesota
I checked those breakers/fuses in the trailer. However, I did not consider the fuse in my truck. Would the running lights and brakes still work if the fuse in my truck was blown?
Thanks for the suggestions on what to look for. I do believe I'll get this resolved so we can take our next trip without worrying about having power once we get there.
Posted 2015-06-11 5:36 PM (#163750 - in reply to #163738) Subject: RE: Batteries not charging
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by brokenboot on 2015-06-11 9:16 AM
I checked those breakers/fuses in the trailer. However, I did not consider the fuse in my truck. Would the running lights and brakes still work if the fuse in my truck was blown?
Thanks for the suggestions on what to look for. I do believe I'll get this resolved so we can take our next trip without worrying about having power once we get there.
Posted 2015-06-11 7:35 PM (#163754 - in reply to #163738) Subject: RE: Batteries not charging
Member
Posts: 34 Location: Montello, WI
My truck (Sierra 3500) has a separate fuse for the 12 volt power to the trailer. This is separate from the running, brakes, and turn lights. This is what would charge the trailer battery while connected. Some trucks have way to prevent draining the its battery if the engine isn't running.
Posted 2015-06-11 8:24 PM (#163756 - in reply to #163725) Subject: RE: Batteries not charging
Regular
Posts: 83 Location: Minnesota
I found some corrosion where the ground wire connects to the trailer. I took all wires off, cleaned them good and reconnected. I could not find any bad fuses in the trailer or the truck, so I'm hoping it was the poor ground connection. Thank you to all who responded. You are the reason this forum is so helpful.
Posted 2015-06-13 6:50 AM (#163765 - in reply to #163725) Subject: RE: Batteries not charging
Veteran
Posts: 179 Location: Illinois
Happened to us as well. We were told to leave the power switch inside the trailer pulled out so it's on while charging. So I make sure I pull it out when traveling so it will charge. Haven't had it happen again.
Batteries not charging
