Battery problems

[wille]

We took our maiden voyage a few weeks ago in our (new to us) ‘03 Classic. All worked well. When I went to check on the AS this week, the batteries are dead. They are 1 year old Interstates and worked fine on our recent first trip. An electrician when recently hooking up our 30 amp outlet mistakenly put 220 volt and I had to replace the microwave and a breaker. Nothing seemed odd with the batteries on our first trip, after the 220 issue. Any ideas what is wrong/what to do? Perhaps I left a light on and this burned the batteries down?

[68 TWind]

Sounds like it could have "fried" your converter as well as the microwave. I'd check the converter for 12 volt output.

[Beginner]

First shoot the idiot electrician.
Next make sure that the battery switch (if installed) is turned on. If it is then move on to the next step.
Next remove the batteries.
Check the water in all the cells.
Place the batteries on slow charge for 48 hours.
Remove chargers.
Measure the voltage across the battery terminals. It should be at least 13.2 volts.
IF the voltage is less than 12 volts the batteries are probally bad. Take them to a auto parts store with a full automatic battery tester, your battery chargers might be bad.
Whether the batteries are good or not plug the trailer into 115 VAC (regular house current, do not turn on the AC).
Measure the voltage across the battery post clamps (batteries still removed,on't hurt a thing).
I should read at least 13.2 Volts DC.
If it dosent, find out why. Breaker going to the converter, fuses in the converter etc.
Let us know what you find.
Beginner

[Gene]

Don't shoot the electrician. He (or she) may be buying you a converter and other expensive objects. Shoot him after the check clears.

Gene

[J R Vaughan]

I agree with Gene...don't shoot him yet...One other thing, your batteries operate lots of stuff in the trailer even though you may not be using it. clocks for instance..Depending on how long between trips, they could have drained..not likely in your case with the 220 volt issue..
The fact that they (batteries) worked on your trip could just mean that they got charged from the tow vehicle while you were driving.
I would check the converter...sounds bad...could be toast...

[richg]

This happened to me when I moved my trailer to the house site before construction. Everything worked except the charging circuit to the batteries. Had to replace the converter.

[Beginner]

OK wait, don't shoot the electrician yet.
but,
check out every thing on the trailer that works on 110 VAC.
The fridg (110 VAC heating element and control circuitry and
circuit boards.
Water heater, some have a 110 volt heating element and thrmostat
switch that runs the heating element.
All vent fans, lights, fresh water pump etc, every thing electrical on the trailer.
the rest of the 110 VACcircuit breakers might also be damaged.
After a full assessment, and the check clears, then shoot the idiot because he had to take a pair of plyers to the plug to get it into the 220 VAC receptacle.
He knew better.
Beginner

[Steelegood]

I say go ahead and shoot the electrician. Trying to get your money back or replacing the damaged parts will be problematic and HIS check probably won't ever get near "clearing the bank".

[Alwhisman]

How do you, as an "electrician" accidentally apply 240 instead of 120?

............he's gotta have a boss! You can look at the box and see it's 120....


Sorry to hear. I'd definitely check all your systems.

[Gene]

I'll amend my previous advice—shoot him in each leg, get the check, tie him to the chair with Romex, cash the check at his bank, then shoot him a few more times.

Check to make sure everything 120 v. from converter to appliances to all the receptacles work properly. If you don't have a multimeter (for volts AC and DC, amps, and resistance), it's good to have one and you can a good one for less than $100.

When I installed a 30 amp, 120 v. receptacle, for our trailer, I had this strange desire to wire it like a 240 v. receptacle, but then I tested it with a multimeter and saw what I was doing (probably the result of installing dryer receptacles several times along with brain freeze), and then did it right. I'm not a licensed electrician, nor even an unlicensed journeyman, but I knew enough to check myself. What a jerk.

Gene