How to operate camper on battery power

[kjcamper]

Maybe I should be asking Dealer this question, but here goes. How can I operate my Flagstaff Classic 625D popup on battery power? I have tried different things according to owners manual and nothing works. I did not try hooking up to tow vehicle and using battery power yet, maybe that how my camper works. I tried using the refrigerator on battery power while towing once and it did not work or did not get cool. ( I put a 12 pack of soda in it to try it.) There is a switch to operate the refrigerator on 12 volt. With the camper set up, I should be able to operate everything on battery power after lifting stove to activate switch, which I tested with ohm meter, and it opens and closes ok. There is a switch by converter that is not marked as to what it is for except on/off. I have tried it both ways but it could be for the water pump. I would like to figure it out as there are a few places I would like to camp that have no electric hookup. Any advice would be welcome, right now I have it in storage so I will write down everything and use info in spring.
Thanks!

[tlhdoc]

I am assuming that you have a 12 volt battery attached to the camper and that the battery is fully charged.  Your refrigerator will take about 24 hours to get cold.  Many people plug it in to AC power (120 volt/normal house hold plug) the day before a trip so that it gets cold.  You will not hear anything running when the fridge is on.  If you plan on using your refrigerator on DC power when towing you need to make sure your TV has a "hot line" to the camper plug.  The refrigerator will drain a 12 volt battery in a few hours, so only use 12 volt when towing when your TV can help recharge the camper battery.  The power converter is used to turn 120 house hold AC current into 12 volt DC current.  You use the converter when you have the camper plugged into an electric hookup.  The switch is probably just to turn your converter off and on.  Do your lights work on battery power?  Does your water pump work on battery power?  Do the 12 volt appliances work when you have the camper plugged into electric?  If they do work when the camper is plugged in, then the problem is with your battery, wiring or fuses.

[sacrawf]

If your battery is well charged, you have clean and tight connections to the battery, and the fuses are OK, then you should have 12v power to the furnace, refrigerator, fantastic vent fan and lights.  A cause of no power may the safety switch under the fold-down sink/stove.  The wires that attach to the safety switch often come loose, and without the switch closing indicating that the camper is not set up, power will not be routed to the appliances except for the refrigerator.

Maybe I should be asking Dealer this question, but here goes. How can I operate my Flagstaff Classic 625D popup on battery power? I have tried different things according to owners manual and nothing works. I did not try hooking up to tow vehicle and using battery power yet, maybe that how my camper works. I tried using the refrigerator on battery power while towing once and it did not work or did not get cool. ( I put a 12 pack of soda in it to try it.) There is a switch to operate the refrigerator on 12 volt. With the camper set up, I should be able to operate everything on battery power after lifting stove to activate switch, which I tested with ohm meter, and it opens and closes ok. There is a switch by converter that is not marked as to what it is for except on/off. I have tried it both ways but it could be for the water pump. I would like to figure it out as there are a few places I would like to camp that have no electric hookup. Any advice would be welcome, right now I have it in storage so I will write down everything and use info in spring.
Thanks!

[kjcamper]

I am assuming that you have a 12 volt battery attached to the camper and that the battery is fully charged.  Your refrigerator will take about 24 hours to get cold.  Many people plug it in to AC power (120 volt/normal house hold plug) the day before a trip so that it gets cold.  You will not hear anything running when the fridge is on.  If you plan on using your refrigerator on DC power when towing you need to make sure your TV has a "hot line" to the camper plug.  The refrigerator will drain a 12 volt battery in a few hours, so only use 12 volt when towing when your TV can help recharge the camper battery.  The power converter is used to turn 120 house hold AC current into 12 volt DC current.  You use the converter when you have the camper plugged into an electric hookup.  The switch is probably just to turn your converter off and on.  Do your lights work on battery power?  Does your water pump work on battery power?  Do the 12 volt appliances work when you have the camper plugged into electric?  If they do work when the camper is plugged in, then the problem is with your battery, wiring or fuses.

I did test battery, it is fully charged, thanks for tip on running refrig, plug in day before. According to manual camper's 12 volt system should work while hooked up to tow vehicle. Nothing in camper works unless plugged into 120. The only thing that will run off of battery is the lift system. When I take camper out of storage this next spring I will check wiring from battery into camper and see where it goes and test for 12 volts along the way, maybe something is broken or loose. Thanks

[haroldPE]

is your camper still under warranty?  if so, let the dealer find the problem.  he'll know where to look.  mine did it for free under warranty.

[wavery]

There have been several people on PUT that have found the Black/White wire going from the battery to converter/ground to be defective. It's a lot easier to replace those 2 wires than it is to tow your trailer to the dealership, leave it (not knowing what you will find when you pick it up) and towing it back home again.

However, it is also common to find the connection where the ground wire (White) attaches to the frame to have come loose. This will cause the condition that you have as well. Also, be sure that the connections to your battery are tight.

If you do replace the battery wires, I would recommend going to your nearest marine store and pick up 10g marine grade wire. It is tinned wire so it is much less susceptible to corrosion and vibration.

[tlhdoc]

A cause of no power may the safety switch under the fold-down sink/stove. The wires that attach to the safety switch often come loose, and without the switch closing indicating that the camper is not set up, power will not be routed to the appliances except for the refrigerator.

The lights and other stuff work on 110/AC power, so it is not the cut off switch.

[sentence]

I've had some trouble from time to time with my 12v system , so if you don't have a warrantee, then maybe you should consider a power box. Plug right into it and trickle charge it with a solar panel, No more 12v woes.

[kjcamper]

I've had some trouble from time to time with my 12v system , so if you don't have a warrantee, then maybe you should consider a power box. Plug right into it and trickle charge it with a solar panel, No more 12v woes.

I bought it in 2006, I'll have to check on warranty. Thanks to all for the help, as soon as our Wisconsin weather turns to Florida weather, which could happen any day now!, I will get to work on it. (60's would be nice) I might call the dealer and ask for some advice. Thanks again.

[mike4947]

You mention the lift system works so that leaves out the battery itself. As it runs direct on a seperate wire from the battery.  There is a IIRC a 25 amp fuse in the converter where the positive line connects from the battery and it's that fuse that will blow and leave you powerless when only on battery power. It's common for this fuse to blow when the battery is discharged as the converter tries to output more than the fuse can handle.
It doesn't come into play when on 120 volt as the converter is power from the 15 amp 120 volt circuit breaker.
That fuse is most likely also why your battery hasn't been discharged while sitting as there are phantom draws such as the propane detector that draw small amounts of power 24/7. Once you find your problem remember to disconnect the battery when not actively camping or hooked to shore power.
 
As for the fridge take the make/model number and download a manual from http://bryantrv.com/docs.html to learn how to operate the fridge. Only use 12 volt for transportation, not cooling.
As the 12 volt eleement has only 1/2 the BTU's of the propane burner or 120 volt heater element, and is designed only for travel. Not to mention checking the amperage available from your TV to make sure the fridge doesn't draw more than the TV wiring can supply.

['tiredTeacher]

There is a IIRC a 25 amp fuse in the converter ...

I've been meaning to ask - what does "IIRC" stand for?

[DoubleD]

I've been meaning to ask - what does "IIRC" stand for?

If I Recall Correctly

['tiredTeacher]

If I Recall Correctly

Thanks!

[kjcamper]

You mention the lift system works so that leaves out the battery itself. As it runs direct on a seperate wire from the battery.  There is a IIRC a 25 amp fuse in the converter where the positive line connects from the battery and it's that fuse that will blow and leave you powerless when only on battery power. It's common for this fuse to blow when the battery is discharged as the converter tries to output more than the fuse can handle.
It doesn't come into play when on 120 volt as the converter is power from the 15 amp 120 volt circuit breaker.
That fuse is most likely also why your battery hasn't been discharged while sitting as there are phantom draws such as the propane detector that draw small amounts of power 24/7. Once you find your problem remember to disconnect the battery when not actively camping or hooked to shore power.
 
As for the fridge take the make/model number and download a manual from http://bryantrv.com/docs.html to learn how to operate the fridge. Only use 12 volt for transportation, not cooling.
As the 12 volt eleement has only 1/2 the BTU's of the propane burner or 120 volt heater element, and is designed only for travel. Not to mention checking the amperage available from your TV to make sure the fridge doesn't draw more than the TV wiring can supply.

I thought I checked that fuse but will check again. The only other thought I had was a broken wire between battery and converter. When the weather warms a bit I will set it up and go over everything. Thanks