RV electrical repair and troubleshooting
If the lights go out when you unplug, or the battery won’t hold a charge, it helps to know which fixtures still work and how the RV was powered when the issue began.
Common RV electrical problems
House batteries and charging
Ask about batteries that drain while parked, poor charging on shore power or a converter that may be affecting the RV’s 12-volt supply.
Lights, fans and other 12-volt fixtures
Note which lights, fans, pumps or controls have stopped working. Knowing whether it’s one fixture or several gives Kirk a clearer place to start.
Power that cuts in and out
Mention any recent battery replacement, storage or wiring work, along with the make and model of the affected equipment. Ask about the scope before planning a visit.
Common questions
Why do the lights work when I’m plugged in but go out when I unplug?
Many RV lights run from the house battery system, and the converter can supply that circuit when the RV is connected to shore power. If the lights and other battery-powered fixtures all stop when you unplug, tell Kirk which ones are affected. The battery, its disconnect and the path between the battery and those fixtures are useful places to investigate.
Why does a new battery keep going flat?
A replacement battery can still discharge if the charging system isn’t bringing it back up or if equipment continues to draw power while the RV is parked. Share the battery type, how it’s charged, roughly how long it takes to go flat and anything installed recently. That gives Kirk a better starting point than replacing the battery again.
Why do some outlets work when the lights don’t?
Standard outlets and battery-powered lights are generally on different circuits. If an outlet works while several lights, a vent fan or the water pump fail together, list the equipment affected and how the RV is being powered. On rigs with an inverter, mention whether it was running, since it changes which outlets can be powered without being plugged in.
What if a fuse or breaker trips every time I use one device?
Tell Kirk which device was running, how long it ran and whether other equipment was on at the time. A trip under load tells him more than a description of a circuit that simply “has no power.” Leave the affected equipment off until the cause is checked, especially if you notice heat, a burning smell or discolouration.