electrical question

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   We just got our new(to us, 26000 miles) tow vehicle-a 2012 Ford Expedition.  

We moved the brake controller and 7 pin female connector from our old vehicle to the new one. We used the same brake controller and the same 7 pin female connector that we took off of the old tow vehicle(Chevy Astro).

 All of the brake. turn signals and running lights seem to work fine.  However, none of the  pod interior lights or anything else 12 volt will not work off of the Expedition battery when the Pod battery is turned off.  the pod will not work whether the Expedition engine is off or on.  There is a clicking sound like the power center is tripping a breaker or resetting.  But nothing seems to be tripped.  when I unplug the 7 pin connector, the pod works fine on it's own battery power.

I am concerned because
1) we can't use the battery powered emergency braking system on the hitch unit which must be powered by the Pod battery
2)we can't run the refrigerator off of the tow vehicle while driving
3)I wonder if the tow vehicle is recharging the Pod's battery while driving??

I am almost positive that the Pod would run off of the battery in the 
tow vehicle before. I think we should be able to run the lights, 
refrigerator and other l12 volt equipment off of the tow vehicle battery
 power. 

Is this correct??

Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Vann

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Pod People Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Location: Chapel Hill,NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 1067	Topic: electrical question Posted: 01 Jun 2013 at 3:31pm
	We just got our new(to us, 26000 miles) tow vehicle-a 2012 Ford Expedition. We moved the brake controller and 7 pin female connector from our old vehicle to the new one. We used the same brake controller and the same 7 pin female connector that we took off of the old tow vehicle(Chevy Astro). All of the brake. turn signals and running lights seem to work fine. However, none of the pod interior lights or anything else 12 volt will not work off of the Expedition battery when the Pod battery is turned off. the pod will not work whether the Expedition engine is off or on. There is a clicking sound like the power center is tripping a breaker or resetting. But nothing seems to be tripped. when I unplug the 7 pin connector, the pod works fine on it's own battery power. I am concerned because 1) we can't use the battery powered emergency braking system on the hitch unit which must be powered by the Pod battery 2)we can't run the refrigerator off of the tow vehicle while driving 3)I wonder if the tow vehicle is recharging the Pod's battery while driving?? I am almost positive that the Pod would run off of the battery in the tow vehicle before. I think we should be able to run the lights, refrigerator and other l12 volt equipment off of the tow vehicle battery power. Is this correct?? Any thoughts or help would be appreciated. Thanks Vann

TerryM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Location: Saint Augustine Online Status: Offline Posts: 1950	Posted: 01 Jun 2013 at 4:10pm
	Either go to a RV dealer or a Ford dealer. Chevy and Ford don't match in the wiring. Terry
	RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565

Outbound Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767	Posted: 01 Jun 2013 at 4:27pm
	The clicking sound /could/ be a relay. Or, the clicking sound could be a self-reseting fuse shorting out. On the other hand, you may simply have a burnt out (or missing) fuse somewhere. Regardless, it sounds like its time to get out a multimeter and trace wires.
	Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 01 Jun 2013 at 5:18pm
	A simple check to see if the tow vehicle (TV) is charging the camper. I use an inexpensive battery condition (volt) meter plugged into a 12V socket inside the camper, but a digital voltmeter connected anywhere on the trailer 12 volt system will do. With the TV turned off and the trailer unplugged from shore power the battery should read around 12-12.5 volts. With the TV connected and running the trailer battery should read around 13.6 volts or slightly higher. The higher voltage indicated the TV is charging the camper battery. Clicking sounds probably indicate a loose or miswired connection and needs to be fixed.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Anthony Valenzano Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 09 Apr 2013 Location: Archbald Pa Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Posted: 01 Jun 2013 at 9:44pm
	You may have to install a fuse or two in some hidden place to connect the constant power to the trailer.

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 01 Jun 2013 at 9:45pm
	I'm leaning towards self-resetting breaker like Outbound said. I'd bet nothing is working because you have the +12 and ground reversed, and the converter is protecting itself with an anti-polarity breaker.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Pod People Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Location: Chapel Hill,NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 1067	Posted: 02 Jun 2013 at 9:46pm
	I posted the same question on the Ford Expedition forum. apparently, I need a relay and a fuse to make everything work properly. These parts apparently come with the heavy duty tow package but not the standard units. so, I'm off to my local Ford dealer in search of the appropriate relay and fuse. I'll follow up after the problem is fixed. thanks for the info. Vann