tnman
TN
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I recently purchased a 1990 Coachmen 26' TT and am wondering if the converter is OK..
When I first plug my TT into electric the converter starts humming which I feel is normal as the newer campers I;ve owned did the same thing. Then in about 20 minutes of being on the internal fan kicks on and blows out hot air, which again I think is normal. However, I never have heard the fan quit running. Over the last few days I've been in and out and everytime I listen I can hear the fan running and there is a lot of hot air coming out the vents.
1. Does this sound normal?
2. Is there a way to quieten the fan, because it's pretty loud?
3. There is a lot of hot air coming out, is this really ok?
Thanks,
Randy
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George H
Washington
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Joined: 06/27/2006
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Have you checked your batteries? May be in a state of constant charge and that will boil and kill batteries.
George, Juanita and Mandie (boss Shar-Pei)
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Caseydon
Simonton, Texas
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The constant running of the fan producing hot air suggests that there is a significant load on the 12 volt system. Yes, this could be from the converter's producing too high a voltage and "boiling" the battery. It could also be from something drawing current that you're not aware of. That can include a battery with a shorted cell. By now your battery should be fully charged if it's going to get charged. So first, check the voltage to ground with the converter running. If it's over about 13.6 volts, that's not good, but not yet conclusive. Then check the battery voltage with the converter off for 30 minutes and a light or two on. It should be at least 12.6 volts. If it's much lower, 12.0 or less, you have a bad battery. If it's showing full charge, then you need to check for a hidden load. Disconnect the battery cable at the positive terminal and put an ammeter across the gap. With everything you know of turned off, it shouldn't show more than about 100 milliamps, 0.1 amp. More than that, something is drawing power.
If everything checks ok except for high converter voltage, it can be cooking your battery and needs to be replaced.
Casey
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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I agree with the other poster.. The fan never shutting off indicates, more than likely, a constant load, perhaps a shorted cell in the battery.
Check the battery, look for any sign of overheating or boiling, meter the voltage using a known good digital meter. Then report back and we will take you to the next step.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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ScottnSherrie
Augusta, GA
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Being a 1990 TT, chances are that the converter is an older style single stage charger which will boil the batteries. I am a big propent of either upgrading the converter to be 'smart charging' or replacing it outright with a new one that is smart charging. This is true especially if you camp for long periods at a stretch or the TT stays plugged into shore power while in storage.
Best Converter is the place to get an upgrade kit or new converter.
You should also check the date code on the batteries and have them load tested.
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h2guy
Ain't seen a sign yet!
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ScottnSherrie, your link has too many characters in it.
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tnman
TN
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This is a GREAT place for answers!!!!
My battery was bad. It was charging but would not hold a charge very long at all. Within 5 miuntes after unplugging the camper from current and turning on a light the battery would be drained.
I'm replacing it and will go from there and see if how it works.
Thanks
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Harvard
51.37N 114.42W
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Joined: 12/24/2005
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tnman wrote:This is a GREAT place for answers!!!!
My battery was bad. It was charging but would not hold a charge very long at all. Within 5 miuntes after unplugging the camper from current and turning on a light the battery would be drained.
I'm replacing it and will go from there and see if how it works.
Thanks
Maybe that your break away brake switch is activated and applying 12V power to your wheels continiously. Just having a bad battery "could" do the opposite in that bad cells could go hi impedance drawing less power from converter and at the same time having no capacity.
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Harvard
51.37N 114.42W
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Did this get resolved?
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tnman
TN
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Installing a new battery seemed to take care of the problem. I'm sure the fan must kick on sometime, but I haven't noticed it since installing the new battery. It hums which I think is normal.
Thanks for all the suggestions!
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