liv2ryde
Lansing, MI
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Joined: 06/26/2006
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Yes I am new to this RV stuff, and taking a liking to it. I have a long history of boondocking in a tent, solar shower~bio bag kinda of thing. I now have this used 2005 Sun Valley Apache short bed TC as my 1st RV and am learning to use it. I have figured out the propane stove, electic on the 3 way frig, I have not tried propane for the frig yet or the furnace. But I really would like to be able to power some interior lights and maybe even the frig from the 12v system. The only thing I get is outside running lights, nothing else from my fully working 7way from the truck to the 6 way into the camper. There is no battery inside the camper, do I need one to use 12v while the truck is running or for short periods of time? There is a wire hanging inside the front floor cabinet and plenty of room there for a battery. Would this be where it goes? Is it difficult to install?
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Stim
NE Florida
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Joined: 05/23/2007
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I just bought a 2007 Sun Valley Eagle, basicly the same as the Apache. I had to change wires around in my 6-way plug to work on my Silverado. I figure Chevy has a better design for the plug wires.
You are better off having a battery in the camper and you should have a 12v charger/120v/converter in the unit. Mine has a battery box with a vent outside the camper.
With a battery in the camper you want to disconnect the camper plug so the truck battery dosen't discharge when not plugged in to shore power and the truck not running.
You might want to contact Sun Valley and ask for an owners manual.
When trying to light the fridge it takes a few minutes for the LP to get to it if it's been off for a while, keep trying the igniter.
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liv2ryde
Lansing, MI
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Thanks Stim! I did get all of the manuals, but nothing really says how to install a battery or where to wire it in. I need to keep researching. It does have the converter.
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Alschott
Connecticut
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Joined: 02/09/2006
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I had to install a battery in the front box where the water tank is located in my Apache 6.9, what model is your camper, maybe there is space in front.
I connected the red wire from the converter to the battery positive post and the black wire from the converter to the battery negative post. As others mentioned, you'll charge from the truck if all the trailer connections are live, else you'll have to get a little creative and run a wire directly to the plug at the front of the camper.
Without the battery, the camper will run off the truck battery, but that'll be good for a couple of hours at best. Use a good deep discharge trolling battery and you'll be good to go. Another option is to place the battery in the truck bed and run the wires directly to it thru the sidewall of the box. The main concern is the build up of hydrogen gas as the battery is charged.
As far as checking the rest of the system, first check the converter/fuse panel - you should have automotive fuses on the DC side and small circuit breakers on the AC side.
Al
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JimBollman
Upstate NY
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Joined: 08/31/2006
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I bought a plastic battery box at Camper World, added a connector, and small breaker to the top along with a float charger from Harbor Freight to the top of the box. Added a battery and put it in front wheel well through an inside access door. This puts the battery outside the living area for ventilation and space. Made a cable to plug into the box and into the camper where you would normally plug in the truck connector. This keeps me isolated from the truck so I will not run down the truck battery. I plug in the charger when I can.
Frig on 12 volts will run a battery down fast, I have never ran any of mine on 12 volts. I have made my camper efficient enough that we can go 7-10 days without recharging.
Jim...
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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On my campers there were switches on the converters to switch from 120v shore power use to 12v battery use. Check for a switch on your converter. That might be why you're not getting 12v power to anything but the running lights when connected to the truck.
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liv2ryde
Lansing, MI
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Alschott- I have the same camper as you. I do plan to add a battery, but without it I should have interior lights? I have none, just outside running lights. I have circuit breakers and fuses on the converter that all look good, but unless I am plugged into household electricity I have no interior lights, fan, poer, or frig. I will get a picture of what I see and post it up, maybe someone can tell what wires are for what, etc. Thank you! BTW; I tried the frig on propane last night and it works great. Tonight I will try the furnace.
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liv2ryde
Lansing, MI
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I think I need some power to the camper to try the furnace. It has an electronic ignition. So when I pull it up close to the house tomorrow I will try the furnace then.
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Stim
NE Florida
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Joined: 05/23/2007
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You need to switch some wires around to have 12v from the truck jumper cable to the camper. Mine has 3 wires in the camper plug/socket, ground, tail/running lights and 12v power in to the camper which connects to the inverter and to camper battery.
If you take the 6-way camper plug/socket loose from the camper, turn off everything in the truck, with the jumper cord plugged in and with a 12v test light find the the pin that has 12v. Then move the camper 12v wire to that pin. You can check by turning on a light in the camper.
Hope this makes sense.
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liv2ryde
Lansing, MI
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The furnace worked great, so here are some pictures. Anyone know where I would wire what to get 12v lights, etc...
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