Maintenance & Restoration

Alex C · 07-19-2012, 04:08 PM

Does anyone know a link or website that shows how to completely wire a Travel Trailer from scratch. The problem that I have is sometimes I forget to unplug the Tow Vehicle before I plug into Shore Power. I have read that this should not be a problem but I definitely have one.

Thomas G. · 07-19-2012, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex C

..........I have read that this should not be a problem but I definitely have one.

What are the symptoms of the problem that you are having?

Roy in TO · 07-19-2012, 08:52 PM

If your tow vehicle is powering your trailer, you might want to consider installing a solenoid on the 12V to the trailer.

Alex C · 07-20-2012, 06:48 AM

My Daughter borrowed the trailer and forgot to unplug the tow vehicle before plugging into Shore Power. It blew two fuses and one fuse holder had to be replaced.

Alex C · 07-20-2012, 06:50 AM

Hi Roy, That's what I was thinking of doing. I just thought that someone who had done wiring on a large trailer might know how to get around this problem. I do not have the same problem on our 30ft Toy Hauler but, do not know how it was wired.

Thomas G. · 07-20-2012, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex C

My Daughter borrowed the trailer and forgot to unplug the tow vehicle before plugging into Shore Power. It blew two fuses and one fuse holder had to be replaced.

It is not immediately obvious why the fuses would have blown. The converter would be trying to charge both batteries, but after driving, the batteries should not have been trying to pull much of a load.

You should definitely have a relay or other isolator between the two batteries in any case.

Roy in TO · 07-20-2012, 09:41 AM

The power converter that came in the Trills of that era were sort of funky. There is a switch on it to run off the battery. I still have not figured mine out. I just keep pushing buttons until the lights work. With the converter so close to the cushions sometimes the buttons inadvertantly get pushed without knowing.

David Tilston · 07-20-2012, 11:21 AM

The converter in the Trillium that I use does not charge the battery. I am not sure how it does this, I assume that there is a diode that prevents the battery from receiving power from the converter. The battery and tow vehicle do supply power to the lights when the switch is down, and the converter supplies power to the lights, (but not the battery) when the switch is up. When the switch is in the middle, no lights.

Roy in TO · 07-20-2012, 12:54 PM

Thanks David,
I presume that is for the switch labelled bat or battery? I'll have to print that up. Now what do the other buttons and switches do?

David Tilston · 07-20-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy in TO

Thanks David,
I presume that is for the switch labelled bat or battery? I'll have to print that up. Now what do the other buttons and switches do?

The button to the left of the unit is a 10A AC breaker. It pops out when you have a greater then 10A load on the plugs in the trailer. Otherwise it does nothing. I am not sure if you have the same converter as me, but the documents that came with my trailer included this:
Fiberglass RV - Document Center - Progressive Dynamics Power Converter Manual

Thomas G. · 07-20-2012, 01:21 PM

Hmmmm........so why would the fuses blow when the converter is plugged in without disconnecting the TV?

David Tilston · 07-20-2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

Hmmmm........so why would the fuses blow when the converter is plugged in without disconnecting the TV?

I would guess that the 12 VDC output is incorrectly connected to the battery. It is only supposed to feed a maximum of 6 to 9 amps is trying to charge the TV. Maybe a large diode, to prevent the trailer trying to charge the TV, where the trailer plug comes into the trailer would work. If the trailer has a battery, the diode should come after that, so the TV can charge the battery without the 0.7 VDC drop, and the converter could not charge the trailer battery.

BTW - This converter would make a terrable battery charger. As far as I can tell it is just a 120 VAC to 12 VAC transformer, (10:1) with a full wave bridge. It would boil a battery dry.

Alex C · 07-20-2012, 05:15 PM

I have to let you know that I completely rewired the Trillium. I put in a new Converter, new Battery and new Distribution Center. I'll draw up what I have done and post it. Maybe then you will have a better idea what I did and did not do right.