Camper Power: 110v vs 12v

[12ring]

Bought a camper off here a while back and finally got around to checking it out.
Hat to replace the power cord plug.
Once I did I got power inside to fridge, micro, & wall outlets.

No overhead lights. I know some are 12v but I thought they worked on either or. There is no battery. If i put a battery in it should they work ? I know 0 bout the converter or how all that works.
I have juice at the lease so no need for batt if I can power them with 110.

Thanks, D.

[Bowhica]

You should be able to pull the wiring diagram off the internet. That will tell you where your supply for the lights happens. Most people automatically replace the battery on a used unit, unless the previous owner recently replaced it.

[gonehuntin]

Most of my lights are 12 volt. Ones by couch are 120x.

[12ring]

Guess I need to get a marine battery w 12V solar panel or several stick on lights from Walmart.

[BrianL]

Most campers require a battery to be connected for 12V stuff to work

[Walker]

Guess I need to get a marine battery w 12V solar panel or several stick on lights from Walmart.

It's my understanding that the battery will get charged from the camper so you shouldn't need external charging.

[12ring]

^^^^
I thought the overhead lights were either or.

Apparently non run on 110/15/20. All 12v.

[WItoTX]

To confirm they work, throw jumper cables on from truck to camper. That will confirm it.

I suspect your converter is dead if the lights don't turn on with that set up. Our camper was the same way, come to find out converter died. Pretty easy fix. Apparently the lighting going through DC. You can confirm this on yours by looking at the fuse/breaker box.

[TexasBob]

Camper circuits generally require a battery to complete the circuit even if the inverter is working and giving 12v. Unplug from 120, hook up a good battery and see what works. If lights work, plug it back in and see what still works and check voltage at the battery to see if inverter is working.

[cj7zrcool]

You should be able to pull the wiring diagram off the internet. That will tell you where your supply for the lights happens. Most people automatically replace the battery on a used unit, unless the previous owner recently replaced it.

Unless it's a newer model, and/or the manufacturer is better @ customer service than Dutchmen is, I doubt you'll find a good diagram. I had to virtually rewire the 12 volt system in my 2012 Dutchmen over the summer and there was zero manufacturers support and very little available that was specific to my trailer on internet forums, etc.

[KY2TX]

You don't need a battery for the 12vdc lighting unless your not plugged in to shorepower. If plugged in to shore, whether 50/30/110, your converter should be putting power to the 12vdc and charging the battery. Depending on converter setup, there can be about a 40 Amp fuse in panel or a couple on the converter. Good luck on finding a wiring diagram, most manufacturers have a "theory" of where they would like for their wiring to have went during production.

[kry226]

All my lights are 12v, and a battery is not needed for 12v power if you're plugged into shore power (120v). The converter "converts" the 120v to 12v and that should power all 12v loads. Of course, no shore power, then you need a battery.

I'm about to redo all my 12v distribution as I'm upgrading to two 100ah lithium batteries, new converter, DC-DC charger (vehicle charging), smart shunt, and Lynx buss. Moving from a pair of 100ah AGMs to a pair of 100ah lithiums essentially doubles usable battery capacity.

[flywise]

Both my campers are older and the lights work when plugged in. When remote I use battery operated lights because the battery will not turn them on. Like you I don't know anything about the converter or inverter. There might be a switch to make them work off the battery

[Greenheadless]

Lights are 12V.

Need to complete the circuit to get the lights to work.

If the lights aren’t working while not plugged into AC, then likely your battery is bad.

[Sackett]

Op, rather than spend $150-$200 on a battery, check your converter. If it’s working and you are hooked up to 110v, then you don’t need the battery other than in situations where 110 goes out. FYI, your camper thermostat is more than likely 12v so even if you’re plugged into power, you won’t get your AC on if the converter is not working.

The converter is what allows your lights to work off either “12v battery” or 110 with the converter from 110v - 12v. Your lights are actually wired for 12v power only.