Trailer not using battery, only solar

[Myarashi]

We just de-winterized our trailer, after checking everything worked during the day, we took it on a short camping trip. Turns out, the trailer doesn't seem to be using the battery for power, only the solar power. Briefly checked the wiring and all seems tight, breakers were still in the on position and the battery disconnect switch pointing to the right.
Later at night as the sun would go down, using anything, 1 fan or 1 light, the system would reboot, the victron interface would show the voltage going up from 6v to the 13.5 - 14.5v. The Victron app shows the battery as 100%, 14.25v and no usage. Attached are some screenshots from the app. 7:15 & 57% is at night, 7:05 & 25% is the next morning.
The next morning as we started to get the sun, I tested again. A single fan would cause the victron display over the table going down to 11v.
Not sure what could be wrong here, just picked up the trailer last August. Any help/advice would be much appreciated!

[AllanEdie]

I am not specifically familiar with your Victron setup, so I may not be reading the output usefully.

Having said that, I do not understand why the battery is not receiving any amperage. The charging voltage is listed as over 14 in absorption mode, which is ok, and over 13 in float, also ok, but zero amps in both cases. The voltages, however, do not necessarily read the actual voltage of the battery when solar is trying to charge it, they are showing the charging voltage being applied to the battery. It seems possible to me that somehow the battery bank has become completely disconnected. The first thing I would do is look for a main fuse or breaker that is blown or not functioning. If the fuse/breaker is located between the battery and the trailer circuits, but the Victron setup measures the charging voltage anyway, that might explain the behaviour.

You should use a multimeter to check voltage on the downsteam side of any main breaker you find, it may not be operating even if apparently in the on position. Ditto for the main battery switch.

Good luck with it, let us know how you make out.

[SteveSgt]

Originally Posted by Myarashi

Not sure what could be wrong here, just picked up the trailer last August. Any help/advice would be much appreciated!

Do you have the unmodified electrical system from Escape?

Do you have lithium or lead-acid batteries?

Is your trailer connected to your vehicle?

Could your runaway brake switch have become engaged?

Did you check the tightness of connections in and around the fuse/breaker box? (All of your 12V power goes through there except from the solar controller and to the inverter and the brakes.)

I would start by assuming that your trailer is very similar to these diagrams posted here in the forum. It should show you the places where you can check for problems.

[Myarashi]

Hey all, thank you for the help. Turns out the batteries were dead and the Victron system was showing a false positive. The lovely people at Escape after sales support were able to diagnose and fix the problem in two days.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by AllanEdie

You should use a multimeter to check voltage on the downsteam side of any main breaker you find, it may not be operating even if apparently in the on position. Ditto for the main battery switch.

Yes, time after time, this kind of problem could have been identified in minutes with a multimeter check for voltage, first at the batteries, then at the panel.

A cheap one, less than 15 bucks can make trouble shooting so much easier.

Ron