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Old 09-13-2017, 01:54 PM   #1
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1987 33' Argosy
COLLIERVILLE , Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 20
Blog Entries: 3
Batteries not charging

Hello all, I have a 1987 Argosy 32' rear double bed and front and rear entry doors. I recently purchased this unit and have been tinkering to get all the lights working first. Before I purchased it the unit it was on house power which allowed me to check out most things.

Got home and ran for 3-4 days on battery. Thought..hook up to the house 110. Here is the problem. I plugged into my garage 110 gfi plug. the gfi button reset immediately. No big deal. reset ...couldn't. unplugged trailer line and it reset. I thought need better extension. Bought a 12/2 extension cord. Still resets when I plug in the trailer. Checked batteries and started charging them on my battery charger 2am/6am type. charged each one overnight to get them close to 100%. Thought maybe that was the problem. dead or weak batteries. Lighting was dim before the charge These will be 1yo in October. I checked the car fuses in the converter, tightened all wires, sprayed with electrical contact cleaner/sealer reset the breaker panel under dinette set where the converter is.
Still cannot connect trailer to house without the gfi outlet. Ok, switched to another outlet with no GFI type outlet. Same thing. Had to go to circuit breaker panel in my house to reset that breaker. Not sure where to start? I do think it is in the trailer connection somewhere but not know much about what's wired to what so you are talking to a neophyte for sure. I have a multi meter and a continuity tester. Thanks in advance for your help.
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Old 09-13-2017, 02:56 PM   #2
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1991 34' Excella
Princeton , New Jersey
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Assuming the wiring in the trailer is correct. Check the 110 volt receptacles with a polarity tester to be sure there is not a wiring problem.

The gfi problem is most likely your convertor, an older type, may have a capacitor across the input side of the transformer. The charging current of that cap will trip the GFI. Try a none GFI source for charging.
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Old 09-13-2017, 03:13 PM   #3
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2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
Des Peres , Missouri
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Are you sure only the lights are drawing a load
You must be over the limit if the GFI receptacle
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Old 09-13-2017, 04:43 PM   #4
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2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle , Pennsylvania
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Hi

Your trailer is likely set up for a 30A circuit. House outlets are usually 15A, but some are 20A. Here's how to run it down:

Find the breaker panel and switch off all the 120V breakers. Try the "non-gfi plug in the wall" again. If it still trips, either a wire came loose on the trip home or the cable you are using to plug things in is miss wired. If it does not trip, switch on each breaker. Only turn on one. Do it one at a time. If one breaker causes the house breaker to trip note which one. Dig into the wiring on that breaker, something is shorted.

Depending on what you find, yes there are more things to dig into.

Bob
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Old 09-14-2017, 10:37 AM   #5
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1987 33' Argosy
COLLIERVILLE , Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2017
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electrical issues

Thanks all for your help and advice. I will get after it this weekend.

Oh..what type battery charger is best if I have to charge my 2 deep cell marine batteries? they are less than 1 yo. thx again.
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