Can’t find my breaker(s)

[kaelenc74]

Hi! I have a handmade tiny teardrop, it’s about 10-11 years old. The shore power is not working but everything works through battery power so I’m pretty sure I’ve tripped a breaker. However I CANNOT FIND the breaker/breakers/breaker box.

I’ve asked the previous owner and he’s leaving me on read. Don’t know the person who built it.

Places it’s not: in the accessible small storage space under the floor, behind the shore power plug, anywhere visible in the galley, in any of the cabinets, near the fuse panel or converter, or in the tongue box.

I’m new to all of this and really don’t want to take anything apart too much in case I can’t get it back together.

Help? I can try to provide more specifics, just ask.

I’m so frustrated! I rewired it from the tongue to the car adapter yesterday and was feeling pretty confident but now I feel like I’m losing my mind…

 

[DrewsBrews]

If you can provide some photos of the whole trailer and galley (if it has one) etc. Someone may be able to identify if it is likely built from known plans. If so there may be common spots where wiring is run.

Some folks can do some clever stuff like hide things behind false walls in cabinets (interior or galley). Maybe look for finger holes at the back of cabinets or if the back looks like a seperate piece.

 

[kaelenc74]

If you can provide some photos of the whole trailer and galley (if it has one) etc. Someone may be able to identify if it is likely built from known plans. If so there may be common spots where wiring is run.

Some folks can do some clever stuff like hide things behind false walls in cabinets (interior or galley). Maybe look for finger holes at the back of cabinets or if the back looks like a seperate piece.

Thank you!! So, I don’t think there is one. I made a little write up of what I think is the issue. Might make another post on this threat but here it is in case anyone is browsing… camper

 

[DrewsBrews]

Is all the power in the trailer 12v? I'm realy hoping that fuse block is 12v, not 120v.

 

[kaelenc74]

Is all the power in the trailer 12v? I'm realy hoping that fuse block is 12v, not 120v.

Ummm I have a multi-meter on the way but guessing it’s 12v. It’s a tiny teardrop with a couple lights, a small stereo system, and a few outlets. Forgive the stupid question but how would I confirm?

 

[DrewsBrews]

What do you mean by "outlets"? 120v style like in your home (2 or 3 prong), or 12v car socket "cigarette lighter" type? or something else?

I'm looking up those converters. Looks like they come with a 3 prong plug from factory. So try to trace that out. If everything else is 12v then the shore power may only be going to the converter.

I found this site has the manual if you scroll down and select "Manuals/Tutorials". Per the manual there are battery protection fuses. Looks like on the left side of the unit just behind the connections that go out to the battery. Possibly one of those is popped. Could be as simple as that if all trailer power is 12v.

 

[kaelenc74]

What do you mean by "outlets"? 2 pole 120v style, or 12v car socket type?

I'm looking up those converters. Looks like they come with a 3 prong plug from factory. So try to trace that out. If everything else is 12v then the shore power may only be going to the converter.

I found this site has the manual if you scroll down and select "Manuals/Tutorials". Per the manual there are battery protection fuses. Looks like on the left side of the unit just behind the connections that go out to the battery. Possibly one of those is popped. Could be as simple as that if all trailer power is 12v.

They are normal house outlets. One is cfgi, the others are not.

I found these fuses on the converter—there are two of them. Maybe I will try replacing them?

 

[DrewsBrews]

That fuse appears intact.. the little squiggle in the middle would have a break in it if it was bad.
I imagine the idea of that ground strap from the converter to the trailer frame is meant to be connected to shore power ground through the converter's 3-pin power plug. If shore power is not grounded, then technically nothing is truely grounded on the trailer.

Shore power goes out the blue box and into the wall. What connections are on the other side of that wall that the wire dissappears into?

Do the outlets work when only on battery power? Just wondering if they may be connected to an inverter from the battery or just direct connected to the shore power.

Often white and black insulation on wires indicates 120vac, but not always (with a home built trailer anything is possible). What it is all connecting to may indicate what voltage it is running. On that fuse block. The wires on the left with blue ring terminals that are screwed directly to the busses (with non green screws), It looks like they are probably the wires supplying power to the fuse block. Can you see where they go?

Trying to get an idea of the layout of the wiring and help troubleshoot at the same time. Fortunately it is a small trailer so the wiring is likely less complicated than it looks. If they used an ungrounded shore power connection then they may not have added breakers at all, expecting the power pole breakers to do that job.