Awesome tech video , I was in service business for 42 years , I can tell an awesome tech from a fake !! This guy Josh is the real deal !! No ums and ahhs from this guy. He explained everything to a tea !very knowledgeable tech ,keep it up!!
I’ve been searching for a good part of the day for this explanation. This is the most definitive, understandable explanation that I have found. Awesome thank you.
You are my hero! On a cross country road trip and no DC power when connected to shore power, converter works (fan runs when first turned on) Your explanation of the 2 x 40 fuses was the answer! And I just picked up spare fuses for this trip. You saved us hundreds of $$$ and days in repair service! Thank you, Catherine
This is by far the best video i've seen on TH-cam about RV wiring. He was very clear, and no wasted time on BS. i'd LOOOVE to see an install with duel 50amp !
I have stray AC voltage on my 2021 aspentrail travel trailer my wife got a bad shock just leaning up against it I checked it with a little voltage tester and it definitely has AC voltage on the bumper and structure of the camper while plugged in I'm making a appointment with dutchmen dealer tomorrow to bring it in Thank you for that video very well explained video for us newbies to the camping world 🌎
Thank you for such an easy and very understandable explanation,! I am new to the issues my RV travel trailer is experiencing …. This made it easier to venture in trying to figure out what the problem is ….
Thanks for this video. I bought a trailer with no battery, and it wasn't even wired for a battery. I was able to wire up the battery and check all circuits, plug 7 pin connector into truck and start truck, and verify the battery was charging when the vehicle was running. I had no idea how to do all this until watching this! Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your experience and expertise - much appreciated - new subscriber here. Used to be professional furniture maker who shared my knowledge and glad to see you doing that here. Congrats on your family business
Great video. Thank you. I have one 15 amp fuse that blows every time I turn the switch for the LED awning lighting and then red light next to the fuse would light up. Now the red light does not come on but the fuse still trips. I need to do some troubleshooting and your video is a great resource. Fairly new to travel trailers.
Sounds like a short in the wiring to the LED or a shorted LED strip.. I would cut the wires to the LED strip to isolate the issue. If it persists after it's cut.... it's the RV, if it stops it's the LED strip
oh.. so when you plug in to shore power youre not powering your breaker box, youre powering the "battery charger" which has an output to 110v for the AC side and an output for 12v for the DC side.. and the "battery charger" is just an inverter that has a circuit to step the 110v down to 12v to be used for both AC and DC? and what happens when shore power is disconnected, the 12v battery now powers the inverter circuit of the "battery charger" and everything works like normal until the battery dies? or is an inverter a separate thing? do all campers not have an inverter? This video answered some questions and gave me a bunch more questions. lol
Just fixed my inverter problem first time out with my new to me 2009 keystone passport 300bh! Thank you saved my family’s weekend! The 2 40amp fuses for battery reversal were bad. So was draining my battery even though I was hooked up to the pole.
Thank you so much for your video. A Harvest Host had just had an electrician install a post which fit my RV plug . I plugged in my surge protector and didn’t check the lights on the protector, this of course was my fault. I found out a little while later it was 220 . I blew the converter and fried the microwave when I turned it on . My question to you is at the time I was connected wrong why didn’t it blow my two TV’s or my outlets in the coach. Thanks again for taking time to post .
It depends on how the appliance is wired, it always kills microwaves, converter and older TVS, but new tvs seem to survive. Sorry that happened to you bud!
I really like how in depth you go into explaining how things operate... BUT i didnt see anything that can help me with the issue that i currently am struggling with. First time RV owner so i am so lost. Heres the issue. of course i am hooked up to shore power and been this way for 1 and a half years now and only last night the problem happened and have not found a simple answer. I have a '95 Leprechaun Motorcoach that is a type C and is 28 ft long and no tip-outs. The RV is a 30 amp system. BUT the distribution panel started to cut power and switching over to 12v works just fine as this issue is still persisting 24hrs later, BUT when i went to check the fuses which were all good but none were actually tripped. (and for the sake of argument, lets just say its called a soft trip) so i started to research more this morning as what may cause it but nothing. All 3 of my GFI are good as 2 are brand new this year. So as i watched clips hoping to find the right clip to help guide me i shut off all 5 house fuses and tested each circuit individually and really the only 2 circuts that really made the D.panel spaz out was the 15 amp convertor (which has not been plugged in at all since i took possession of my new home and i charge the battery by using a fairly decent battery charger that also performs a "reverse charging" if it is slected.) but when the convertor is plugged in, it sounds like im living next to a power plant (the loud and ominous humming sounds) ... and the portable appliance circuit. I unplugged any and all appliances and retested the circuit, and both circuits would stay on for about 20 seconds before it started to freak out and couldnt make up its mind if it was running on 12 or 110v. i removed the circuit boards from the W.H. and reefer and seen nothing blackened. Common sense tells me that the convertor is dying a slow and very painful death, but common sense also tells me that i should go out and hold an aluminum pole during a lightning storm too, Both of these mentioned appliances do run off 110 and 12v. when there is no load on these circuits , the P.D.P. is fine and no soft trips or the need to reset the tripped breakers. I know im doing something wrong, i just refuse to remove my glove and put my fingers on it for fear of getting shocked. Any pointers that you can give? any help would be so very greatly appreciated.
@austinwagner7507 I'm a bit confused about your explination about the problem...it sounds like you have a 120 volt circuit breaker tripping that is labeled " converter". If that is the case many times a converter will share a circuit with another appliance, that being said, converter fans will be very loud under a heavy load as the fan(s) are trying to cool it down. This usually occurs when your " house" or " coach" batteries need to be replaced. This is because the converter is baring the entire 12 volt DC load with no help from a good battery. That would be my first check.....verify the "coach" battery is good under load. Hope that helps, if not hit me up again.
Well,done.. I’m wiring up my tiny home using this same panel from my Forrest River travel trailer that Seattle interstates killed this summer. I’m sure I’ll have a lot of questions come up. I’m trying to figure out the most ideal place to mount all this stuff. I understand the AC side from doing remodels but dc is new to me. This video helped a lot.
Josh THANK YOU for your explaining thoroughly on your videos. We are new camper owners and you have alot of great information for newbies like me. THANK YOU THANK YOU.!!!!!!
Wonderful video. So many helpful bits of information, yet presented so well it's all easy to comprehend.. As a first time owner of a travel trailer I just subscribed and look forward to learning more from you through your other videos. Thank you kindly for taking the time to make this video!
I’m greatful for such a video since I’m new to this and my trailer is a used Koala! I don’t have any kind of owners manual! This gives me a place to start to solve the problem. I had it plugged into house current to help prevent freezing up then checked on it yesterday morning and discovered it had actually caused my house breaker to trip! So at least I have a direction to start investigating!
First of all Thank you! Lots of good feedback here and wonderful compliments. I have a 1973 Chinook and I’ve seen one in its original “city” wiring. It explained how mine used to work. It has been updated and when I bought it, I didn’t get a good look at the box, and thought when I upgraded it lithium batteries, I’d get the legend updated. I have to figure out what powers what from the AC and DC sides. Slowly, I have made some progress. Your video has help how to look at it from a sensible perspective. The one question I have is about the Busbar that you mentioned that is inside, which I must have as well, but I do have an external Busbar against the wall feeding other things. How is this Busbar different from the one inside the box? There’s a tool for testing unknown breaker to receptacles or switches, is there anything for testing a camper? Again, thanks.
Best explanation video on this. I have a panel light on in the fuse box for the slide that's been on for months. It blows new fuses instantly. Neverminded it but with the west coast fires... might have needed to slide in quick and leave. I'm looking for videos on slide outs to fix this
@@phillipjones3342 disconnect the RVs shore cable from the pole. Pull down on the top of the breaker you want to change, then disconnect the wire. Then do the same in reverse with the new one. Best of luck!
Very informative video. If I want it to level up and put an inverter to invert my battery DC source to AC outlet in my RV trailer if I'm off grid, where should I put the inverter in between the distribution panel. Thank you!
@seventribesdotcom thank you for watching. You will need a transfer switch. The inverter and the circuit you wish to power will be routed to the transfer switch and then out to the load. If you don't have a solid grasp of how and why this works I would recommend seeking a professional to install.
Excellent video. I have a Holiday Rambler Motor Home and am interested in finding out more about the chassis and coach disconnect. Do you have a video showing how these switches function?
Thank you for this video, much appreciated. I just bought two 100 AH lithium batteries to go in my Airstream. My question is : can I just connect those two batteries and go or not? And also, do you have a video on how to install an inverter and how to connect the whole thing to the power distribution panel ? Thank you for your comments. Sellig
Thank you for your video is very informative. Helped me a lot. I have a quick question during the voltage meter test. I tested from ground to the breaker. And I did not get the 113 voltage. I do get the 113v from the neutral. Any thoughts on that, please
Excellent explanation, thus is takes me to ask the following question: I have in the RV a Solar Panel System, composed of 400Watts, MPPT Charger Controller 40Amp/12V/24V, the system is connected in parallel / series obtaining 24V, an Inverter 3000/7000 watts, DC to DC charger, 4 Gel Batteries 200Amp/h. My question is, can I add a circuit braker to the exiting electrical control panel to select/chose which source of power to use? Generator, Solar or Output Power (from an external outlet).
No you would need to add a transfer switch, run both sources to it with one output to breaker box. If you add a breaker to the buss bar there is a potential to power all breakers with shore and inverter simultaneously causing 220 vac and damaging everything.
At the last minute of your video you saved me. I had two LED lights on. Had no clue and didnt notice. I went to a campsite and had no power coming inside. I think my microwave worked and that was it. Even with the main power switch off. My RV would somewhat be powered with my generator running but only half the RV worked. Once you turned off the generator my battery would die fast. It was two blow 15 amp and two 40amp fuses blown. Thank you for showing how to check the battery. Mine may need to be replaced. Also is that voltage device your using the one I will need?
Great video! Have had my camper for years and my power supply has never charged the battery ever since I bought it, not sure what to do and not wanting to spend more than $500 on a shop replacing it, resorted to just using a trickle when at the campsite from shore power. Now after watching this I can go back and do some testing, any recommendations I would love! Thanks
Could just be blown fuses for the converter, but the converter may be bad. Also, keep in mind that if there is a battery disconnect switch, some are wired to disconnect the battery and converter. Hope it helps, thanks for watching!
You did an excellent job explaining the 30 amp WFCO distribution panel. I am trying to troubleshoot and issue in my sons Keystone rv trailer. 2 overhead lights do not work. I first checked the bulbs and the all appear to be good. Checked the fuse and it is good, even tried a new fuse. When pulling the fuse the led light does not come on. All other circuits the led lights does come on when fuse is pulled. Checked voltage to circuit on ground lug and power lug and got 13.78. Check the ground wire on ground bar and cut back to fresh wire and reinstalled. Sounded like ground issue to me. I also moved the hot wire to different unused circuit and had same problem. I am wondering could the light fixture be bad?
Check power with a meter at the light socket and if no power check power coming out of the breaker if power is there then u have a broken wire somewhere
Nicely done, probably best of these I’ve seen. Fortunately, I know most of this, but you kept it interesting without wasting time. That brand converter seems to be standard, at least in all entry to mid level pull behinds I’ve seen in videos. If functioning, is there really need to upgrade, say, for multistage charging?
Excellent exposition to understand easily, thanks, a question on the hot water bracket and Refer, when this of the cable says current, but I put it on and the cable says no current, the other braket cables are the opposite. Thanks for the reply George.
Thank you for this great video. My issue is , my converter doesn’t work… sometimes. I have solar so it doesn’t matter most of the time, but if I’m hooked up to shore power in the shade my batteries (lithium-ion )go dead. If I’m not in the shade my converter works. How does the converter turn on & off? Does it run continuously or on remand? Thanks!
Your podcast was very helpful! I'm working on installing an inverter and want to run my power cord off the inverter into the outside 30amp plug in for now. Do I need to install a separate 15amp circuit breaker for the converter in order to shut it off while I'm using the inverter?
Thorough overview! I'm in the process of replacing my converter with an inverter/charger connected to solar. It gets confusing because right now, the DC on my RV can work even without a battery because (as I understand from this video) the AC side is powering the DC side through the converter and does not need a battery. Essentially, the converter acts like a battery. When I switch to an inverter/charger, my suspicion is that I won't be able to power the DC without a battery because inverter/chargers use the AC input to the converter and the DC panel is only powered by the batteries -- which is fine because when plugged into shore power, the inverter/charger will be providing power to the batteries to keep them charged as they provide DC direct to the loads. Please correct me if I'm wrong. It would be awesome if you did a video about replacing a converter with an inverter/charger!
Hello Mark, thank you for watching my video! So depending on the "inverter/charger" that you have purchased most of them are converter/inverters so they will do both; Convert 120 vAC TO DC and invert 12 v DC to 120 vAC, basically you will still have what you have now but you are gaining the option of the inverter. Hope that helps!
Hello, excellent video, very clear in its explanation. If possible, I would like to ask you a connection question. I have a pop up camper, nothing very complex. It has a 12v battery. My question is the following. At this time the battery of the camper is charged with the truck, when it is connected and when it is parked it is charged with the energy of the car. What I want to do is charge the battery with a solar panel that I am going to install or with city power, when it is connected. Can this change be automatic, that is, during the day, while there is light, the battery is charged with the panel and at night it is charged with the energy of the city, can it be done? and if possible please guide me how to do it. Thank you very much in advance for your help
@@MRRVTECH Thank you very much for your prompt response. No, my question is do you know how to charge the camper battery using the solar panel that I am going to install or when there is no sun during the day, will the battery automatically begin to charge with energy from the city or at the campsite? where we are. Thanks
Mr. RV. This video has been very useful to me. As I have been searching to find out how the Converter connects to the DC Distribution side and then if only the RED + goes to the battery or both RED + Black. I see how it is. Questions.... The Red 10 AWG or 8 AWG wire does it connect to the Battery Disconnect switch (Kill Switch)? or connects to the Battery directly?
Could you (or have you?) show an older rv with older distribution boxes? They are the ones more likely to need troubleshooting. I certainly would appreciate it. I don't even see a converter. 😮😢 Thank you in advance and for all you do to help.
very informational. I am installing a inverter/ charger in my 2008 forest river. as long as I disconnect the black load side and white neutral of my existing converter, that will disable it? I am still able to use the 12 volt connections as a distribution panel, correct? Thank you for your help!
Thank you for your informative video. I need to replace the 7-Pin Cable assembly on my 27’ Airstream Globetrotter. Is this something that would need to be done by a professional? Or can a competent handyman type person do this? Do you know if that cable runs from the plug all the way to the distribution panel? That would be a long way. Any guidance you can give me would be much appreciated.
Excellent video, i have a question about power, our 2019 wildwood xlite 30ft trailer, It does not have any power while plugged into the truck, while parked.
One question, on the main panel of an RV, on the AC side, there's two breakers and had a label, a sticker that say " lightning", so it means that is for all the lights inside the RV, because here you tell us that the lights supply comes from the 12 Volt side, how is that?
I have the same distribution box on my Wolfpup. Do you know if these will be ok to charge a LifePO4 battery with an on board BMS? The 13.6V charge output seems a little high, but maybe the LifePO4 BMS can regulate that ok?
Thanks for a great video. Is the box the likely cause of no 12v DC if not plugged in to 110v (house lights, hood fan, hood light, water pump do not work) however house lights do work when plugged in to DC (but hood light, fan, watered pump still do not work - although hood indicator lights DO work.). Occurred after shop replaced my house batteries.
Thanks for this video its helped me understand the basics. When I'm home and working on the trailer I have it plugged in but only to 110 AC. I remove the battery and have it on a home charger. I'm only using lights, radio and receptacles for power tools. Two questions please: Is it an issue that I don't have the battery installed? Is the charger on the trailer as effective at charging the battery as my small home charger? Thanks again. R
Hi There. Just watched your " RV 30 AMP Power Distribution explained " video. Very good and informative. I have a question maybe you can help me with. I have had a Go Power 2000 watt invertor/charger installed in my trailer. The tech guy disconnected the heavy gauge red wire to the WFCO factory installed charger but should he have disconnected the black A/C wire feed to the charger also. ??
Great video explaining 30 amp Power. Remember to remove jewelry when working on electrical circuits.👍
Good tip!
Awesome tech video , I was in service business for 42 years , I can tell an awesome tech from a fake !! This guy Josh is the real deal !! No ums and ahhs from this guy. He explained everything to a tea !very knowledgeable tech ,keep it up!!
@@martypillar7654 Thanks for watching!
I’ve been searching for a good part of the day for this explanation. This is the most definitive, understandable explanation that I have found. Awesome thank you.
Thank you for watching
Excellent. I am new to the RV world and just bought a 2024 RPod 196. Great video. Thank you.
You're welcome, thank you for watching!
This guy is skilled at teaching and explaining. 2 thumbs up.
You are my hero! On a cross country road trip and no DC power when connected to shore power, converter works (fan runs when first turned on) Your explanation of the 2 x 40 fuses was the answer! And I just picked up spare fuses for this trip. You saved us hundreds of $$$ and days in repair service! Thank you, Catherine
This is by far the best video i've seen on TH-cam about RV wiring. He was very clear, and no wasted time on BS.
i'd LOOOVE to see an install with duel 50amp !
This is perfect. Just what I was searching for. I am building a mini SquareDrop camper and this video helped a ton. Thank you.
Wow I finally understand how the power distribution in my RV works! Thank you!!!
now I know the very basics of how to use that multimeter, thank you Josh!
Thank you for a thorough explanation of the distribution panel!
OMG!!! THIS WAS THE MOST PERFECT EASILY UNDERSTANDABLE VIDEO EVER!!! THANKS!!
This is one of the best tutorials I have seen on RV distribution panels. Thank you.
This is the best RV Channel I've ever seen
I have stray AC voltage on my 2021 aspentrail travel trailer my wife got a bad shock just leaning up against it
I checked it with a little voltage tester and it definitely has AC voltage on the bumper and structure of the camper while plugged in
I'm making a appointment with dutchmen dealer tomorrow to bring it in
Thank you for that video very well explained video for us newbies to the camping world 🌎
You made things understandable and I appreciate the time you put into making this. Thank you for a well done tutorial!
Thank you for such an easy and very understandable explanation,! I am new to the issues my RV travel trailer is experiencing …. This made it easier to venture in trying to figure out what the problem is ….
Thanks for this video. I bought a trailer with no battery, and it wasn't even wired for a battery. I was able to wire up the battery and check all circuits, plug 7 pin connector into truck and start truck, and verify the battery was charging when the vehicle was running. I had no idea how to do all this until watching this! Thanks!
Awesome video. EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thank you!
Thorough explanation. Very much appreciated.
Keep it coming, Josh. Thank you so much for this fantastic video! The best one I have seen on TH-cam Land!
Very clear explanation of the items in this topic. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your experience and expertise - much appreciated - new subscriber here. Used to be professional furniture maker who shared my knowledge and glad to see you doing that here. Congrats on your family business
Excellent information .. Explained well for first time owners like my self.
Great info, I buy my RV in 2 weeks so I’m trying to learn as much as I can.
Really appreciate your in-depth explanation. Very useful information. Thank you.
You're very welcome!
Great video. Thank you. I have one 15 amp fuse that blows every time I turn the switch for the LED awning lighting and then red light next to the fuse would light up. Now the red light does not come on but the fuse still trips. I need to do some troubleshooting and your video is a great resource. Fairly new to travel trailers.
Sounds like a short in the wiring to the LED or a shorted LED strip.. I would cut the wires to the LED strip to isolate the issue. If it persists after it's cut.... it's the RV, if it stops it's the LED strip
Thank you for this! Took a while to find someone talking about my specific box
Thanks for watching
oh.. so when you plug in to shore power youre not powering your breaker box, youre powering the "battery charger" which has an output to 110v for the AC side and an output for 12v for the DC side.. and the "battery charger" is just an inverter that has a circuit to step the 110v down to 12v to be used for both AC and DC? and what happens when shore power is disconnected, the 12v battery now powers the inverter circuit of the "battery charger" and everything works like normal until the battery dies? or is an inverter a separate thing? do all campers not have an inverter? This video answered some questions and gave me a bunch more questions. lol
Just fixed my inverter problem first time out with my new to me 2009 keystone passport 300bh! Thank you saved my family’s weekend! The 2 40amp fuses for battery reversal were bad. So was draining my battery even though I was hooked up to the pole.
Very interesting information and it really helps me out because I am a 5th wheeler RV owner.
This was a FANTASIC video. Keep it up. This was a great, professional tutorial and you really did a great job.
Thank you so much for your video. A Harvest Host had just had an electrician install a post which fit my RV plug . I plugged in my surge protector and didn’t check the lights on the protector, this of course was my fault. I found out a little while later it was 220 . I blew the converter and fried the microwave when I turned it on . My question to you is at the time I was connected wrong why didn’t it blow my two TV’s or my outlets in the coach. Thanks again for taking time to post .
It depends on how the appliance is wired, it always kills microwaves, converter and older TVS, but new tvs seem to survive. Sorry that happened to you bud!
Excellent, concise video. I finally understand. Please do one explaining how the transfer switch and inverter work.
I promise I will, please know I do this full time and these videos are kind of a hobby, thank you for watching and engaging I appreciate you.
I really like how in depth you go into explaining how things operate... BUT i didnt see anything that can help me with the issue that i currently am struggling with. First time RV owner so i am so lost. Heres the issue. of course i am hooked up to shore power and been this way for 1 and a half years now and only last night the problem happened and have not found a simple answer.
I have a '95 Leprechaun Motorcoach that is a type C and is 28 ft long and no tip-outs. The RV is a 30 amp system. BUT the distribution panel started to cut power and switching over to 12v works just fine as this issue is still persisting 24hrs later, BUT when i went to check the fuses which were all good but none were actually tripped. (and for the sake of argument, lets just say its called a soft trip) so i started to research more this morning as what may cause it but nothing. All 3 of my GFI are good as 2 are brand new this year. So as i watched clips hoping to find the right clip to help guide me i shut off all 5 house fuses and tested each circuit individually and really the only 2 circuts that really made the D.panel spaz out was the 15 amp convertor (which has not been plugged in at all since i took possession of my new home and i charge the battery by using a fairly decent battery charger that also performs a "reverse charging" if it is slected.) but when the convertor is plugged in, it sounds like im living next to a power plant (the loud and ominous humming sounds) ... and the portable appliance circuit. I unplugged any and all appliances and retested the circuit, and both circuits would stay on for about 20 seconds before it started to freak out and couldnt make up its mind if it was running on 12 or 110v. i removed the circuit boards from the W.H. and reefer and seen nothing blackened.
Common sense tells me that the convertor is dying a slow and very painful death, but common sense also tells me that i should go out and hold an aluminum pole during a lightning storm too, Both of these mentioned appliances do run off 110 and 12v. when there is no load on these circuits , the P.D.P. is fine and no soft trips or the need to reset the tripped breakers. I know im doing something wrong, i just refuse to remove my glove and put my fingers on it for fear of getting shocked. Any pointers that you can give? any help would be so very greatly appreciated.
@austinwagner7507 I'm a bit confused about your explination about the problem...it sounds like you have a 120 volt circuit breaker tripping that is labeled " converter". If that is the case many times a converter will share a circuit with another appliance, that being said, converter fans will be very loud under a heavy load as the fan(s) are trying to cool it down. This usually occurs when your " house" or " coach" batteries need to be replaced. This is because the converter is baring the entire 12 volt DC load with no help from a good battery. That would be my first check.....verify the "coach" battery is good under load. Hope that helps, if not hit me up again.
You are a great teacher!! Thank You. God Bless.
You are very welcome
Thank you !!! Always use a 30 amp surge protector on the feed to the RV. Check the status LEDs before connecting the RV.
just stumbled upon this video. Good and to the point, thank you
This was an awesome tutorial! Thanks. I really would appreciate the 50 amp version.
Well,done.. I’m wiring up my tiny home using this same panel from my Forrest River travel trailer that Seattle interstates killed this summer. I’m sure I’ll have a lot of questions come up. I’m trying to figure out the most ideal place to mount all this stuff. I understand the AC side from doing remodels but dc is new to me. This video helped a lot.
Josh THANK YOU for your explaining thoroughly on your videos. We are new camper owners and you have alot of great information for newbies like me. THANK YOU THANK YOU.!!!!!!
Wonderful video. So many helpful bits of information, yet presented so well it's all easy to comprehend.. As a first time owner of a travel trailer I just subscribed and look forward to learning more from you through your other videos. Thank you kindly for taking the time to make this video!
Glad it was helpful!
@@MRRVTECH what could cause the slow blow fuse in the converter circuit board to blow
I’m greatful for such a video since I’m new to this and my trailer is a used Koala! I don’t have any kind of owners manual! This gives me a place to start to solve the problem. I had it plugged into house current to help prevent freezing up then checked on it yesterday morning and discovered it had actually caused my house breaker to trip! So at least I have a direction to start investigating!
One of the best videos,have learned a tremendous amount of knowledge that I didn’t have before!
First of all Thank you! Lots of good feedback here and wonderful compliments.
I have a 1973 Chinook and I’ve seen one in its original “city” wiring.
It explained how mine used to work. It has been updated and when I bought it, I didn’t get a good look at the box, and thought when I upgraded it lithium batteries, I’d get the legend updated.
I have to figure out what powers what from the AC and DC sides. Slowly, I have made some progress.
Your video has help how to look at it from a sensible perspective.
The one question I have is about the Busbar that you mentioned that is inside, which I must have as well, but I do have an external Busbar against the wall feeding other things.
How is this Busbar different from the one inside the box?
There’s a tool for testing unknown breaker to receptacles or switches, is there anything for testing a camper?
Again, thanks.
Good information. My WFCO DC panel has no identifications as to what is being powered. Your video was great. Thank you.
This should be required viewing for every RV owner .. more here than many RV store service departments can handle
Thanks for taking the time to create this video - perfect for me !!
My pleasure!
You explained it very clearly. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
This is a great video! on a day when I have had a ton of frustration, you’re my hero! Haha thanks!
You are a natural. Best tutorial I've seen on the subject and believe me when I say I've watched many many in the last month. Well Done! Thank you!
Wow a great video. I learned a lot thank you for this teaching video
Thanks for watching!
Excellent explanation for newby rv’ers.
Nicely documented and technically sound. Thanks for sharing
thanks for the good explanation, it is really clear.
@@rafaelarmandosoledispajijo9098 Thank you for watching!
Nice job. You are a great teacher!
Thank you 😊
Great job sir ., Explaining . I really help me out.
Best explanation video on this. I have a panel light on in the fuse box for the slide that's been on for months. It blows new fuses instantly. Neverminded it but with the west coast fires... might have needed to slide in quick and leave. I'm looking for videos on slide outs to fix this
Very nice explanation, appreciate it😊
Well it was very informative I would like to have some idea how to change a breaker I noticed this was 5 years ago I hope you're still on here
@@phillipjones3342 disconnect the RVs shore cable from the pole. Pull down on the top of the breaker you want to change, then disconnect the wire. Then do the same in reverse with the new one. Best of luck!
Thank you very much, we learned a lot.
Glad to hear that!
Great video very informative
Great video, very informative!
Glad it was helpful!
Very informative video. If I want it to level up and put an inverter to invert my battery DC source to AC outlet in my RV trailer if I'm off grid, where should I put the inverter in between the distribution panel. Thank you!
@seventribesdotcom thank you for watching. You will need a transfer switch. The inverter and the circuit you wish to power will be routed to the transfer switch and then out to the load. If you don't have a solid grasp of how and why this works I would recommend seeking a professional to install.
Excellent video.
I have a Holiday Rambler Motor Home and am interested in finding out more about the chassis and coach disconnect.
Do you have a video showing how these switches function?
Not yet but I can make one for you! Stay tuned
Thank you for this video, much appreciated. I just bought two 100 AH lithium batteries to go in my Airstream.
My question is : can I just connect those two batteries and go or not? And also, do you have a video on how to install an inverter and how to connect the whole thing to the power distribution panel ? Thank you for your comments.
Sellig
Thank you for your video is very informative. Helped me a lot. I have a quick question during the voltage meter test. I tested from ground to the breaker. And I did not get the 113 voltage. I do get the 113v from the neutral. Any thoughts on that, please
Open ground. Likely in the cord, or shore cable receptacle. IMO
I learned a lot with your lesson.. thank you!
Excellent explanation, thus is takes me to ask the following question: I have in the RV a Solar Panel System, composed of 400Watts, MPPT Charger Controller 40Amp/12V/24V, the system is connected in parallel / series obtaining 24V, an Inverter 3000/7000 watts, DC to DC charger, 4 Gel Batteries 200Amp/h. My question is, can I add a circuit braker to the exiting electrical control panel to select/chose which source of power to use? Generator, Solar or Output Power (from an external outlet).
No you would need to add a transfer switch, run both sources to it with one output to breaker box. If you add a breaker to the buss bar there is a potential to power all breakers with shore and inverter simultaneously causing 220 vac and damaging everything.
Thanks so much for your answer. Could you please tech me how do I Connect it? Could you send me a diagram?
Thank you so much sir, this was the exact video I was looking for.
At the last minute of your video you saved me. I had two LED lights on. Had no clue and didnt notice. I went to a campsite and had no power coming inside. I think my microwave worked and that was it. Even with the main power switch off. My RV would somewhat be powered with my generator running but only half the RV worked. Once you turned off the generator my battery would die fast.
It was two blow 15 amp and two 40amp fuses blown. Thank you for showing how to check the battery. Mine may need to be replaced. Also is that voltage device your using the one I will need?
Great video! Have had my camper for years and my power supply has never charged the battery ever since I bought it, not sure what to do and not wanting to spend more than $500 on a shop replacing it, resorted to just using a trickle when at the campsite from shore power. Now after watching this I can go back and do some testing, any recommendations I would love! Thanks
Could just be blown fuses for the converter, but the converter may be bad. Also, keep in mind that if there is a battery disconnect switch, some are wired to disconnect the battery and converter. Hope it helps, thanks for watching!
@@MRRVTECH No blown fuses, checked em all.
I will take it out like you did and do some more testing on it, I never took it out of the casing. Thanks for the video and info!!!!
How did they ground the shore power? Frame? Thank you. I appreciate your video.
Shore power is grounded in the box in which the service is derived from.
You did an excellent job explaining the 30 amp WFCO distribution panel. I am trying to troubleshoot and issue in my sons Keystone rv trailer. 2 overhead lights do not work. I first checked the bulbs and the all appear to be good. Checked the fuse and it is good, even tried a new fuse. When pulling the fuse the led light does not come on. All other circuits the led lights does come on when fuse is pulled. Checked voltage to circuit on ground lug and power lug and got 13.78. Check the ground wire on ground bar and cut back to fresh wire and reinstalled. Sounded like ground issue to me. I also moved the hot wire to different unused circuit and had same problem. I am wondering could the light fixture be bad?
Check power with a meter at the light socket and if no power check power coming out of the breaker if power is there then u have a broken wire somewhere
Nicely done, probably best of these I’ve seen. Fortunately, I know most of this, but you kept it interesting without wasting time. That brand converter seems to be standard, at least in all entry to mid level pull behinds I’ve seen in videos. If functioning, is there really need to upgrade, say, for multistage charging?
Excellent exposition to understand easily, thanks, a question on the hot water bracket and Refer, when this of the cable says current, but I put it on and the cable says no current, the other braket cables are the opposite. Thanks for the reply George.
Thank you for this great video. My issue is , my converter doesn’t work… sometimes. I have solar so it doesn’t matter most of the time, but if I’m hooked up to shore power in the shade my batteries (lithium-ion )go dead. If I’m not in the shade my converter works. How does the converter turn on & off? Does it run continuously or on remand? Thanks!
Your podcast was very helpful! I'm working on installing an inverter and want to run my power cord off the inverter into the outside 30amp plug in for now. Do I need to install a separate 15amp circuit breaker for the converter in order to shut it off while I'm using the inverter?
Thorough overview! I'm in the process of replacing my converter with an inverter/charger connected to solar. It gets confusing because right now, the DC on my RV can work even without a battery because (as I understand from this video) the AC side is powering the DC side through the converter and does not need a battery. Essentially, the converter acts like a battery. When I switch to an inverter/charger, my suspicion is that I won't be able to power the DC without a battery because inverter/chargers use the AC input to the converter and the DC panel is only powered by the batteries -- which is fine because when plugged into shore power, the inverter/charger will be providing power to the batteries to keep them charged as they provide DC direct to the loads. Please correct me if I'm wrong. It would be awesome if you did a video about replacing a converter with an inverter/charger!
Hello Mark, thank you for watching my video! So depending on the "inverter/charger" that you have purchased most of them are converter/inverters so they will do both; Convert 120 vAC TO DC and invert 12 v DC to 120 vAC, basically you will still have what you have now but you are gaining the option of the inverter. Hope that helps!
Hello, excellent video, very clear in its explanation. If possible, I would like to ask you a connection question. I have a pop up camper, nothing very complex. It has a 12v battery. My question is the following. At this time the battery of the camper is charged with the truck, when it is connected and when it is parked it is charged with the energy of the car. What I want to do is charge the battery with a solar panel that I am going to install or with city power, when it is connected. Can this change be automatic, that is, during the day, while there is light, the battery is charged with the panel and at night it is charged with the energy of the city, can it be done? and if possible please guide me how to do it. Thank you very much in advance for your help
What do you mean by " charged by the city"? If you mean by plugging in....yes there are a couple of ways
@@MRRVTECH Thank you very much for your prompt response. No, my question is do you know how to charge the camper battery using the solar panel that I am going to install or when there is no sun during the day, will the battery automatically begin to charge with energy from the city or at the campsite? where we are. Thanks
You are good. You know how to give info. I made vids to help beekeepers
Mr. RV. This video has been very useful to me. As I have been searching to find out how the Converter connects to the DC Distribution side and then if only the RED + goes to the battery or both RED + Black. I see how it is. Questions.... The Red 10 AWG or 8 AWG wire does it connect to the Battery Disconnect switch (Kill Switch)? or connects to the Battery directly?
Picking up a 2022 Rockwood ROO next month. Has the converter in current panels been upgraded to fully charge Lithium Iron batteries?
Could you (or have you?) show an older rv with older distribution boxes? They are the ones more likely to need troubleshooting. I certainly would appreciate it. I don't even see a converter. 😮😢 Thank you in advance and for all you do to help.
very informational. I am installing a inverter/ charger in my 2008 forest river. as long as I disconnect the black load side and white neutral of my existing converter, that will disable it? I am still able to use the 12 volt connections as a distribution panel, correct?
Thank you for your help!
Thanks! Well done video and lesson.
great video i have the same distribution panel , can this converter charge lithium battery
Yes
Thank you for your informative video. I need to replace the 7-Pin Cable assembly on my 27’ Airstream Globetrotter. Is this something that would need to be done by a professional? Or can a competent handyman type person do this? Do you know if that cable runs from the plug all the way to the distribution panel? That would be a long way. Any guidance you can give me would be much appreciated.
Most airstream have a service panel on the interior front wall where the 7 way connections are made.
Excellent video, i have a question about power, our 2019 wildwood xlite 30ft trailer, It does not have any power while plugged into the truck, while parked.
One question, on the main panel of an RV, on the AC side, there's two breakers and had a label, a sticker that say " lightning", so it means that is for all the lights inside the RV, because here you tell us that the lights supply comes from the 12 Volt side, how is that?
You may have 1 or 2 110volt lights in your RV
Thanks. All my questions were answered.
Glad I could help!
I have the same distribution box on my Wolfpup. Do you know if these will be ok to charge a LifePO4 battery with an on board BMS? The 13.6V charge output seems a little high, but maybe the LifePO4 BMS can regulate that ok?
Thanks for a great video. Is the box the likely cause of no 12v DC if not plugged in to 110v (house lights, hood fan, hood light, water pump do not work) however house lights do work when plugged in to DC (but hood light, fan, watered pump still do not work - although hood indicator lights DO work.). Occurred after shop replaced my house batteries.
Very informative video.
Thanks for this video its helped me understand the basics. When I'm home and working on the trailer I have it plugged in but only to 110 AC. I remove the battery and have it on a home charger. I'm only using lights, radio and receptacles for power tools. Two questions please: Is it an issue that I don't have the battery installed? Is the charger on the trailer as effective at charging the battery as my small home charger? Thanks again. R
yes a 50 amp would be nice. thank you
This is a great video!!! thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm going to be sending you a message about the camper I just purchased, used. Thanks again.
Glad it was helpful!
Fantastic info thank you
Winston
Newfoundland
Hi There. Just watched your " RV 30 AMP Power Distribution explained " video.
Very good and informative. I have a question maybe you can help me with.
I have had a Go Power 2000 watt invertor/charger installed in my trailer.
The tech guy disconnected the heavy gauge red wire to the WFCO factory installed charger but should he have disconnected the black A/C wire feed to the charger also. ??
Great job. I may be over thinking this but my question is are only the coach batteries being charged or are the chassis batteries being charged also?
Coach only