Power question

LisaKarre · 06-13-2020, 05:56 AM

We have had our recently purchased trailer plugged in to the house for several weeks now. Everything was going great and we would visit the trailer almost daily if not then every other day. We haven't been in it for over a week and today I went in to check on everything (checking for leaks after having a storm last night) and when I turned the lights on they were very dim. I checked the refrigerator and it was no longer cold. The battery level light reads low. Why would that matter if the trailer is plugged in?

**chuckster57** · 06-13-2020, 05:58 AM

First of all you need to verify that there is 110VAC going to the trailer. Is the microwave display lit? If not then I would start at the plug used to plug the trailer in.

LisaKarre · 06-13-2020, 06:59 AM

The microwave light is not on. All of the lights are dim, the water pump comes on but you can hear that it is not at full power. The fan over the stove works fine but light is dim. Outlets don't seem to be working and the CO2 detector light is off.

LisaKarre · 06-13-2020, 07:00 AM

We have been getting quite a bit of rain and I noticed the plug and the adapter it's plugged into was sitting in water...hmmm could that be my problem? That would be an easy fix.

LisaKarre · 06-13-2020, 07:09 AM

Oh my goodness...I am so excited to be learning so much about our new travel trailer. I went to unplug the trailer at the house and noticed the trip button was popped and I hit the reset then plugged the trailer back in...voila...power!!! I'm sorry if I'm not using proper terminology...lol...but I'm very new at all this. So my thought is that the adapter and plug sitting in water tripped the outlet...sound right?

Lee · 06-13-2020, 07:13 AM

Yup,.... I would say you nailed it!!!! Good Job!!!!

travelin texans · 06-13-2020, 08:04 AM

Once it's safe to do so I'd get the power out of the water & support it somehow. That's a VERY dangerous combination, water & electricity.
First chance you have you need a good surge protector/EMS to plug into power source then your RV cord, it will/could save $$$$$ on delicate electronic replacement in several power outage situations.

Northofu1 · 06-13-2020, 08:30 AM

^^^^^^^^ x 2

**sourdough** · 06-13-2020, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Once it's safe to do so I'd get the power out of the water & support it somehow. That's a VERY dangerous combination, water & electricity.
First chance you have you need a good surge protector/EMS to plug into power source then your RV cord, it will/could save $$$$$ on delicate electronic replacement in several power outage situations.

Lisa, Danny has nailed it. First and foremost get that plug connection up and out of the water....with the power turned off. When rearranging dry the plugs before putting them back together THEN turn the power back on. Water conducts electricity extremely well. You don't want to be standing in a puddle of charged water then reach for something and become its path to ground.

The EMS is another good suggestion. Get one and use it - it can, and will, protect you and your trailer.

bobbecky · 06-13-2020, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaKarre

Oh my goodness...I am so excited to be learning so much about our new travel trailer. I went to unplug the trailer at the house and noticed the trip button was popped and I hit the reset then plugged the trailer back in...voila...power!!! I'm sorry if I'm not using proper terminology...lol...but I'm very new at all this. So my thought is that the adapter and plug sitting in water tripped the outlet...sound right?

What you were plugged into is a GFI outlet, and that is what tripped due to the moisture at the connections. When you are plugged in at an RV park, or if you have a dedicated RV outlet installed at your home, it will not be a GFI protected outlet and you will not lose power when it rains.

**chuckster57** · 06-13-2020, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaKarre

Oh my goodness...I am so excited to be learning so much about our new travel trailer. I went to unplug the trailer at the house and noticed the trip button was popped and I hit the reset then plugged the trailer back in...voila...power!!! I'm sorry if I'm not using proper terminology...lol...but I'm very new at all this. So my thought is that the adapter and plug sitting in water tripped the outlet...sound right?

Sounds like that was the problem. Like stated, get that electrical stuff OUT OF THE WATER!! You may find more than just your trailer isn't working anymore. Your using the right words so we know what your talking about and that's what matters.

MarkEHansen · 06-15-2020, 03:47 AM

Additionally, the flooded lead acid batteries used in our trailers cannot take discharges to the level yours has taken (probably close to zero state of charge, or SOC). This will result in the battery being far less able to take a hold a charge. You don't have to run out and replace it right now, but just know that it is on it's way out.

There's a lot to learn about batteries, so just ask if you have questions.

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