rasnyder
Knoxville
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Joined: 10/19/2009
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Has anyone experienced your overhead lights dimming in your RV. I am being told by a repair shop that it is normal for the overhead lights to dim and then all of a sudden to get bright. Camper World replaced my two 6 volt batteries as they said they were weak and they checked out my converter and said it was working properly. At night when we are sitting around the lights will get maybe 15% dimmer and then brighten back up in just an instant and then start this dimming routine all over. This pattern usually repeats itself about every 15 to 20 minutes. I posted an earlier question on my problem and got some great advice. I just don't recall in the past that I ever noticed this dimming pattern in previous RV's although Camper World is trying to convince me they fixed my problem. I have a 2007 Fleetwood Bounder motor home. Sure would appreciate any comments. thanks
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MountainAir05
New Mexico
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I would check grounds from the fuse to all the lights. Remember that most lights are daisy chained. If they all dim then start back at the 12v fuse and if not start at the last light to dim and work toward the end. A loose ground will cause this . Does it do it also when plug into Shore power and the generator, or just on battery power.
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Bad ground, bad battery, bad converter.
Check all three, starting with the battery.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
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FIRE UP
Ramona, CA. USA
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rasnyder,
While a bad or insuffecient ground could possibly be the culprit, I would think that if it were a potentially bad ground, it would present dim lights ALL the time, not cycle a dim, bright, dim situation. This is odd because there seems to be a few lately with the very same problem. Others have stated they changed the "converter" because it was going bad and that did the trick. I'm not sure how and why but, that's what some have said. Most of the time, a converter is not in play when boon docking but, what the heck do I know.
It, as far as I know, only comes into play when plugged into shore power or running a generator. I'd maybe try and run a simple test. Hook up a volt/ohm meter to the battery posts when this "cycling" begins and see if there's fluctuation in the voltage.
We've had four different motor homes and, as of yet, have not experienced this issue. Let us know what you find out.
Scott
Scott and Karla
SDFD RETIRED
2004 Itasca Horizon, 36GD Slate Blue 330 CAT
2011 White Honda CRV EX-L,4WD w/NAV Toad
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garry1p
Oklahoma
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If you are plugged into shore power and this is happening the converter is cycling on and off it may be a heat problem in the converter. Most converters have an internal fan to prevent overheating.
Could be a failing converter but what you describe is not a normal situation.
Your converter should not run hot but slightly warm.
If you can use a meter the voltage at the battery should be around 13 to 14VDC and not go below 12.8 if the converter is working OK.
Garry1p
1990 Holiday Rambler Aluma Lite XL
454 on P-30 Chassis
1999 Jeep Cherokee sport
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bluwtr49
Green Valley, AZ
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If you have a converter instead of an inverter it's pretty normal. All my previous TT's with converters did that...now the MH with an inverter it's quite stable.
Dick
2000 40" DP Beaver Patriot Thunder Cat C-12 425 HP, 1550 Tq
1997 Jeep GC Limited ---toad
2008 Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited TRD (Retired)
2009 Cougar 268 RLS ~8700 lbs road wt (Retrired)
2006 Jeep Liberty Turbo Diesel.....TV in Training
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ArchHoagland
Clovis, CA, USA
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Are you on shore power when this occurs?
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD
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Livin Good
On The Road
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It could be a bad water pump cycling on and off.
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tgobob
Titusville, FL, USA
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I experienced this same problem and it turned out to be caused by my water pump. Apparently the water pump had a leaking internal check valve which caused the pump to cycle even when we weren't using water (the pump was "on", but shouldn't have been pumping). To very simply rule out this possibility just turn your water pump "off" while the lights are on and see if the lights are affected. By the way, a new water pump solved my problem.
tgobob
Titusville, FL
2003 Allegro Bus
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Freightliner chassis
Age is a state of mind. Think old and you are old. Think young and you're still old.
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deandec
Northern CA
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Water heater, water pump, furnace, competing with lighting system?
Make sure the connections at the battery terminals are clean and tight.
Dean
95 CC Magna, Jeep GC
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