No 12V Power on Center Pin of 6-Way RV Connector on 2005 Winnebago Sightseer 29R Motor Home

Updated 01/13/2014 | Published 01/11/2014

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Question:

There is no power on the center pin of my 6 way hitch for charging toad battery. Going forward from the 6 way hitch connector, where whould the wire terminate? Thank you,

asked by: Joaquin R

Expert Reply:

If the center pin on the round 6-way connector on your motor home does not carry the 12V auxiliary power feed for your toad, there are several potential causes you can investigate. The best method for testing is use of a circuit tester like # PTW2993; a video for this item is included. Using a tester on the center pin will allow you to check for the 12V signal without the toad being connected.

It is possible that your RV is not wired in the typical manner; the center pin can sometimes be wired for brake controller output rather than 12V power.

Another possibility is that the wiring for the charging circuit was not completed under the hood of the motor home. Typically, the 12V feed is carried by a black wire that connects to the 6-way at the rear of the motor home and to the battery. This wire may be in place at the connector side but not connected at the battery. You can follow the wire forward from the 6-way to see if it is installed. There may also be fuses required in the power distribution box under the hood that might not be installed. Check the power distribution box for any fuse locations labeled for a 12V auxiliary power or flat-towing circuit.

You can also check the 6-way connector and the wire itself for any signs of corrosion or damage. Depending on the level of exposure to the elements an RV connector may develop greenish or whitish discoloration on the contact surfaces; this can be enough to interfere with power transmission. Check the connector contacts on both sides of the 6-way and clean/replace the connector as needed. Please refer to the linked photo which shows both the front and rear of a 6-way; verify that the 12V wire is secured to the center pin. Check that the wire itself does not have nicks or wear spots in the insulation that could be causing a short.

Also, it is critical that the ground wires at the two connectors be firmly attached to a clean bare metal surface on the RV and vehicle frames; the 12V feed relies on a solid ground connection on both the RV and toad sides. If necessary, relocate the ground ring terminals to clean bare metal surfaces.

expert reply by: Adam R