Pickup Camper electrical ?

[Dennis Steele]

I just bought an 80's pickup camper. I didn't have the right plug to get it home so I never checked to see if the lights worked. I just took the word of the seller that everything worked.

Now that I have it plugged in to my truck. The tail lights work but none of the interior electronics are working. (lights, thermostat for heater, fridge)

If I plug the 120 to the house still nothing works except for 4 outlets that look like they are "non-factory" installed.

I have to admit I know nothing about the power converter so I tried everthing in several positions. The converter is warm in every position. Still nothing works.

Is the converter bad and "Mr Handyman" installed outlets to run 120?

Can I bypass the converter to 12volts so that the interior lights and the heaters thermostat will work?

[jeffreyd]

make sure that your breakers are not tripped or that there is not a transfer type switch from 12 to 120. 12 v will run down quick so you are going to want to find the reason why this is not working. you might also give the brand name of the camper and model so someone that might have similar and has a manual can help out. good luck

[upnorth]

I 2nd the fuse/breakers. I had an a 85 motorhome and had issues with the fuses regularly. If I read your post right, the "converter you are talking about is more of a battery charger than a converter. I also think you should have a spot for a batter dedicated to the camper somewhere that may be causing you at least some issues. I know most will run the 12 volt without a battery but yours could be one that doesn't.

[Dennis Steele]

I checked all the fuses in the camper and on the converter. They are all good.

I also pulled out the converter to see if it had been jimmy rigged. Doesn't look like it.

I think I might not be getting any 12 volt power to the camper from the truck.

I just have it plugged into my trucks tail light wiring. (Is that where you plug them in at???)

I guess the next thing to do is test all the wires in my trucks tail light harness to see if there is power to all of them. Tail lights work so I know the brown yellow and green do.

Ahh... I told my wife I'd buy a camper if I didn't have to do any work on it!!

I still have work to do on my boat!

[upnorth]

It might not be a bad idea to call the guy back and ask how it should be hooked up. Did it come with any kind of manual that would show the basic wiring? I haven't had a truck camper for years.

I would think you would need to have constant power going to the power from the truck and truthfully I just don't know if the typical taillight plug would do that. I know the 7 point style does, what are you using?

[Dennis Steele]

Ya, I have the factory 7 wire harness.

I tested it with a tester and I have constant power in one of the plugs.

I also talked to a buddy today and he said that if I'm hooked into 120 the converter should convert that so that the 12 volts lights work.

I'm sure the converter is bad.

I'll probably just use 120, untill I dedide if I want to replace the converter or "handyman special" it to run on a deepcycle when I need it.

I think most places I take it will have hookups anyway.

Thanks!

[bbqhead]

If you were close to St Paul, I could take a look at it for you.

randy

[Dennis Steele]

I took the camper on an out of town job.

The first night got a little cool. Being summer, I didn't think to bring more than a sheet and a blanket for a bed roll.

So the next night I lit the pilot light in the heater just for a little warmth. Two minutes later the heater kicked on. YAY!!

So then I checked the light. They worked as well.

THe next moring I opened the fridge and it was cold.

I don't know what happened, but everything works now!

I cleaned up the contacts of the wiring harness just in case that was the original problem.

[upnorth]

Never argue with success, no matter how it arrives