Getting the lights to turn on 1990 T23

[Shelley47]

We brought home a 1990 T23 Sunline and have it plugged in. The power is on because the fridge is running and the plugs work, but the lights won't turn on. Any ideas? Also, does anyone know what a new water heater is worth?

[Poppy & Nana]

first and foremost....welcome to the SOC forum!

1) how are you trying to turn on the lights -wall switch or switch on each light? If the wall switch - make sure you have the light "on" in both places. If that does not work....then check for a blown fuse in the fuse box.

I'm going to include a "google Sunline search" link Google Custom Search - SunlineClub
it is much easier to use than the search box on the forum.....there are MANY posts about fridge replacements and some about compressor replacements......that may be able to send you in the proper direction.

Oh and we love to see pics of Sunlines....also....you will find that this group is a friendly, helpful group of people....so if you have any questions.....just ask away!

Also - Sunlinefan is our "historian" and I'm sure he would love to get info on your new to you Sunline, ie VIN# etc....he'll be along and a link is listed in his signature!

[JohnB]

Hi Shelly,

H'mm you said the fridge is running, that sounds like maybe someone replaced the original RV fridge with a compressor one. An RV fridge makes no noise at all other than the sound of slight expanding metal when the burner tube heats up.

Question: Do you have a 12 volt battery installed in the camper and is it charged up? It would be out front by the LP tanks.

What you described working seems to point to only 120 VAC things that is unless you actually have a RV fridge. The lights are on 12 volts DC and run off the battery and the power converter. That is unless someone converted something.

Does the vent fan in the bath room, the vent fan in the range hood or the water pump work? They are all on 12 VDC. If they work and the lights do not, then it might be a fuse is blown. Need to find the fuse panel. Look where the outside power cord comes into the camper. On the inside the power converter and fuse panel should be close by.

Hope this helps and good luck.

And Welcome to Sunline Owners club and congrats on your new coach!

John

Ps you asked about a new Hot water heater, See here for one place that sells them.
Atwood RV Water Heaters - PPL Motor Homes

A 6 gallon HW heater can range from $268 to $340 pending if it has the electric option. If you need more help on this try and post the model and serial number of the one you have and we can look it up to help better. Your age camper may only have had the gas option.

[Shelley47]

Thanks John.

Turns out that our model is T2363 - not just T23 - perhaps you more seasoned Sunline owners already knew that.

We slept in it in our driveway last night to check it out. Our kids think we are crazy - but all kids think their parents are crazy don't they?

So, are you saying that the lights, fans, water pump etc. all run off of 12 volt only - they don't run off of 120?

We had the unpleasant suprise that the fridge was replaced with an electric fridge - it is not a 3 way as we hoped. We will be looking to replace that in the future.

Without going into a lot of detail, we had to purchase this trailer without being able to see the inside - other than through windows - and the person we purchased it from did not have power or water accessible to them. Their story was that they had owned it for a month and received notice from the Township that they could not keep it on their cottage property and it had to be removed. It was a good price, but "everything is working" was not quite true. Now we are trying to work out the bugs. I want all amenities to be working to be able to fully enjoy the trailer for the purposes we will use it for.

Any help you Sunline owners could give us would be greatly appreciated. We are leaving on a trip with it next Monday and don't want unpleasant surprises.

[Shelley47]

Thanks for your reply and welcome. The link is particulary helpful. Now that we have found our correct model # T2363 not just T23 we are able to find information. We did not receive any Manuals with the trailer, so we are working in the dark. We have had pop-ups and a slide in camper before, but not a travel trailer so we are a little green. Got the Manual for our awning online though and found the generic download manual from this site, but still needing a little more specifics to resolve some of our issues. We are a little green. Our neighbours are new trailer owners also so we are the blind leading the blind. We also are trying to trouble shoot the trailer brakes. They are staying on. It may be an issue with out brake controller though.

[JohnB]

Shelley,

We are hear to help. Post your questions away.

The brakes, if they are stuck on, how do you know this?

If they are not froze up from rust the only other way they can be on and not hooked to a truck is that somehow the emergency breakaway cable was pulled out and connecting the battery to the brakes full time.

The breakaway switch is on the A frame and has a little cable hanging off a pin that plugs into the switch. The switch in "on" when the pin is out. If that pin is missing you need to disconnect that switch (unhook the wires) or it will kill your battery and or the brake coil for being on so long. Or unhook the battery. Then get a new switch. They are sold at any trailer stores or even NAPA auto parts. They look like this

Breakaways - Bargman

They may also sell the pins but Bargman who makes most of them recommends they be replaced every 5 years. So if the switch is in question, replace it. It is a law in most all states to have that switch working. It is there to stop a run away trailer from rolling away when it becomes detached from a truck. It is not to be used as a parking brake.

If the switch is all intact, then tell me how you know the brakes where on? How did you tow it home? You may have a mechanical problem.

Hope this helps

John