Battery won't lift 2001

[Crispian]

I recently purchased a 2001 1901TL Hilo Towlite. With 110V AC plugged in, it raises and lowers. If I try to do so from the 12V battery, it won't. It's a new battery, fully charged. If I attach a jumper cable from the positive battery terminal to the selenoid when the top is down, it will raise it. Anyone else ever have this problem? Any suggestions? Obviously the switch, selenoid, motor, hydraulic pump and battery are ok. But not when I want to raise or lower via the 12V battery the normal way. Thanks. ---Crispian

 

[RichR]

I would start by checking and cleaning all the battery connections and the wires to the lift motor, as well as the ground connections. It requires a good bit of amperage and clean connections help.

 

[Crispian]

Great. Thanks. Will do. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[guitarman023]

If you have a manual, go over the wiring that connects to the battery. If it's anything like mine, you might just have a wire missing on the connections or something.

 

[Crispian]

I do have a manual on CD. If cleaning the connections doesn't fix it, I'll check the manual for any missing wiring. Thanks.

 

[retiredcamper47]

Check the 12v breakers near the battery.

Bob

 

[Treeclimber]

Better yet, replace them.

 

[Crispian]

I will have to check my manual. I don't recall seeing any breakers near the 12V battery. I have fuses inside the trailer as well as breakers for the 110V system. That was the first thing I checked. They are ok. No problem with either. Thanks.

 

[retiredcamper47]

Crispian, This is what a 12v breaker looks like. The little black button is what resets it if it is "blown". There will be 12v wires attached to it. These are located outside your trailer, not inside with the power panel.

Bob

 

[Crispian]

Thanks Bob. Got it. The photo helps a lot. I will try resetting that breaker before doing anything else. My HiLo is parked on my friend's property and I will drive there tomorrow.

 

[JIM L-HILO]

Crispian; Many of these circuit breakers do not have a reset button. Many reset automatically after cooling down, and HiLo used both types. The two that power my DC voltage are mounted on the inside of the battery/pump box on the side of the box. On my HiLo there are also two connected to the positive post on the battery to power the tipout. None of mine have the reset button. You can replace with either.

 

[Crispian]

Good to know. Thanks. Postponed my visit to fix this until Monday. Should be able to put everyone's good input to use then. I'll post after I know more. By the way, if I wanted to buy a breaker with a reset button, who sells them? Thanks.

 

[retiredcamper47]

You can get them on line thru Amazon, any RV parts store, or possibly at auto parts stores.

Bob

 

[Crispian]

Great. Thanks, Bob.

 

[Crispian]

I found two "shortstop 24VDC G16 30amp" breakers. I also found an inline fuse that was ok. One breaker was attached to the inside of the battery/pump container, one on the outside of it. The latter had a reset button. Pressed it, but it didn't move and didn't fix the problem. I connected a jumper wire to the 2 posts on that breaker. Then when I pressed the "up" switch inside the Hilo, it worked perfectly off of the 12V battery power. The breaker on the outside of the container was so corroded I couldn't remove the nuts that hold the wires to it, not even with WD40. I will replace both of the breakers. I will buy one of those waterproof marine breaker cases for the one on the outside, to help prevent corrosion. I hope that gets everything working properly again. I'll let you know. Thanks,

 

[Treeclimber]

I have always replaced both those breakers in the batt box on every Hi Lo I've had. It is only my suggestion that they be replaced with manual reset breakers. My reasoning is simple, if you use the "auto reset ones", you'll never know you have a problem.

 

[Crispian]

Yes, Treeclimber, I agree. I ordered two breakers, both have manual resets. Though I wonder if having one manual reset and one automatic reset would serve the same purpose, if the manual reset breaker gets tripped. On mine they put the automatic reset in the box and the manual reset on the outside of the box for quicker easier access. Not having a waterproof cover, however, exposed it to moisture and corrosion. So I bought such covers, as well. Found them on eBay. Thanks.

 

[Treeclimber]

One extra thought. Get hold of a tube of dielectric grease, from local auto store. You'll be doing yourself a favor when you put in those breakers. cCean all surfaces, put a small amount of the grease on each surface and put it back together.
Dielectric grease is non-conductive, and retards corrosion on all electric contacts. Even the TT-TV plugs. A good habit to get into.
Tree

 

[Crispian]

Right. Will do. Thanks.

 

[lowerbp2]

Grim

Suspect you need new deep marime battery. We did.