Battery connected backwards

[northern21]

I took our 3013 29SS out of storage yesterday and for some reason I had a brain fart and connected the battery backwards as I am always used to the black being the neg. I blew the radio fuse and replaced it no problem, everything seems to be working o.k but the electric water heater doesn't seem to work. The fuse on the main breaker is still on and didn't trip. Should i be checking elsewhere. Also does anyone know where the inverter/converter is located on that model??

Thanks

[Bert]

The converter should be located where your breaker / fuse panel is. When it kicks on the fan runs and you should be able to hear it.

[anaro]

Check all the fuses. When we did it, we blew about 3 fuses including the radio fuse. Originally we thought all fuses were ok. Closer inspection revealed the blown fuses. Trying to remember exactly which fuses. I'll check some old posts and try to figure it out.

[anaro]

Ok found the old post. It was a radio fuse and a 40 amp fuse in the breaker panel. 2 fuses fixed everything for us. Here is a link my old panic thread.
battery hooked up backwardsEdited by: anaro

[northern21]

Thanks everyone,

I also found that my 2 40 amp fuses for the inverter blew once I turned on the water pump. I wasn't able to get the 40's at Canadian Tire so I replaced then with 30's to keep the battery charged. I'll have to look around for some 40's they seem to be hard to get.

[anaro]

we finally found the 40 amp fuse at autozone. Don't know if you have one of those up there.

[northern21]

Great thanks,

I'll look around, I'm sure our local NAPA auto store will have it.

[TNWB]

Originally Posted by northern21

Great thanks,

I'll look around, I'm sure our local NAPA auto store will have it.

Yep...just done the same thing myself. Replaced the radio fuse and thought everything else was working fine. after about 3 weeks of the trailer sitting in the driveway and plugged into the electricity I went out to put the slide out and no power everything was dead. Almost impossible to get to the fuse box with the slide in. After pulling fuses found out both of my 40amp were blown. Went to 4 different places and no one had 40amp. 5th stop was Autozone and they had them. Last fall I even labeled the negative battery cable and still crossed them

[anaro]

Originally Posted by TNWB

Â*
Yep...just done the same thing myself. Replaced the radio fuse and thought everything else was working fine. after about 3 weeks of the trailer sitting in the driveway and plugged into the electricity I went out to put the slide out and no power everything was dead. Almost impossible to get to the fuse box with the slide in. After pulling fuses found out both of my 40amp were blown. Went to 4 different places and no one had 40amp. 5th stop was Autozone and they had them.Â* Last fall I even labeled the negative battery cable and still crossed themÂ*

We only disconnect one side unless taking battery out for the winter.

[northern21]

Yep, lesson learned, I found some 40 amp fuses at NAPA auto store, they are hard to find. ANARO do you disconnect the pos or neg when temp storing in between trips?

[Lloyd]

If you want to install a battery disconnect, it won't be necessary to take one of the cables off.
Do a search here and you will find info and pics on what some guys have installed.

[p4lrjfd]

I assume the WH will not work on 110v. Hooking up the battery backwards should have no effect as it does not run on 12v. Even if you cooked the inverter should not cause the WH problem. Must be a 110v fuse on the fuse panel.

[northern21]

Great thanks

[CrossroadsCampingCouple]

I had a brain fart also took cables off for the winter and can't remember if black or white is positive. Please can someone tell me? My fathers camper has a red cable for his positive connection and black for negative, so I thinking my white wire is positive.

2005 Chevy Silverado

2014 Sunset Trail ST250RB

[Lloyd]

Black is positive (+), white is negative (-).
Label your cables and or mark them with nail polish for future reference.

[CrossroadsCampingCouple]

Thank you, Lloyd. I feel like an idiot but did not want to mess up the electrical system by connecting incorrectly.

[ewbldavis]

Don't beat yourself up...I've done it too! Blew both 40A fuses!

[ZT211RD]

Smart and responsible to ask..I never worry about asking in this forum. I do try to read and search to prevent repeated questions. Always get the coaching I need here.

[Tim D]

Originally Posted by CrossroadsCampingCouple

Thank you, Lloyd. I feel like an idiot but did not want to mess up the electrical system by connecting incorrectly.

This is what this forum is for! A good way to remember is to think of your house wiring. Black is "hot" or "+", and white is "neutral" or "-".

[mnsunset]

When in doubt, it is usually very easy to follow the wire you think is the ground. More often than not, it's grounded to the chassis close to the battery.