A week ago I returned from a two week trip away from the fw. When I returned I found the battery sevice panel in my '08 Keystone Challenger to read "F" and the 12v lights were all very dim. Throughout the week the readings have been all over the map, from "F" to "C". So far today it is reading fully "C" charged.
Prior to the two week trip I'd noticed the 12v lights dimming at times then suddenly getting bright. I've checked the battery and it measures above 12 volts. Water level was good but it was time to add some for normal servicing (this battey is new as the fw was purchased in May). I've checked the connection at the battery and found no corrosion. The converter is a WFCO 9855 and my power dist panel is a WFCO 8930/50. I'm thinking I may have a bad converter. This fw was used as a pipeline residence in its former life. Now it's my residence so I am using all it can give me. As I am a new owner in this RV world, and at times drinking thru a firehose, does it sound as if I'm on the right track?
Yup, sounds like a bad converter. Easy to check a couple different ways -
Watch it with a volt meter, watch for variations in voltage.
-or-
Unhook it, plug a plain old 12v battery charger on your batteries, and if everything acts normal, yup, converter is bad.
If you measure voltage right on the red and white 12v wires from the converter you can confirm it has failed. Just as easy to remove and bench test. You should see a very steady 13.6 volts. Best to also test with a small load on it.
WOW!! I didn't expect a response that fast. I did measure 13.6 at the battery cable with the battery disconnected a couple days ago. However, I haven't put a meter on it since and not when I was experiencing the dim light/low service panel reading. I will do that and see what it gives me. As I understand the way things "should" be, the lights should always be normal brightness unless I'm running solely on battery and it is indeed running down. Do I have a good grasp on the normal ops?
klawklr650 wrote: WOW!! I didn't expect a response that fast. I did measure 13.6 at the battery cable with the battery disconnected a couple days ago. However, I haven't put a meter on it since and not when I was experiencing the dim light/low service panel reading. I will do that and see what it gives me. As I understand the way things "should" be, the lights should always be normal brightness unless I'm running solely on battery and it is indeed running down. Do I have a good grasp on the normal ops?
ken
Yep.......
when on battery only....lights etc. will dim as battery voltage drops due to not being recharged. (Fridge will stop working on propane due to low DC voltage...used for controls. Furnace will quit....uses DC to run fan/gas valve/controls. Water heater will quit....uses DC for gas valve/controls)
klawklr650 wrote: WOW!! I didn't expect a response that fast. I did measure 13.6 at the battery cable with the battery disconnected a couple days ago. However, I haven't put a meter on it since and not when I was experiencing the dim light/low service panel reading. I will do that and see what it gives me. As I understand the way things "should" be, the lights should always be normal brightness unless I'm running solely on battery and it is indeed running down. Do I have a good grasp on the normal ops?
ken
Yep.......
when on battery only....lights etc. will dim as battery voltage drops due to not being recharged. (Fridge will stop working on propane due to low DC voltage...used for controls. Furnace will quit....uses DC to run fan/gas valve/controls. Water heater will quit....uses DC for gas valve/controls)
Thanks, I'll be watching and measuring throughout this week to see if I can validate my suspicions. If a replacement is required is a WFCO unit a good choice or should I look at offerings from Progressive?
The Progressive converters are real good as they have the Charge Wizard which doe not charge at full rate 24/7 as others do. It periodically boosts the charge up to maintain the charge level of your battery. With one of them you will have to add very little water to your battery/batteries. I checked mine several weeks ago after not checking them for months and only had to add about a teaspoon to 2 of the cells in 2 batteries.
2008 Ford F350 Lariat Crew Cab Powerstroke SRW
2007 Hitchhiker Discover America 339RSB
rhingst wrote: The Progressive converters are real good as they have the Charge Wizard which doe not charge at full rate 24/7 as others do. It periodically boosts the charge up to maintain the charge level of your battery. With one of them you will have to add very little water to your battery/batteries. I checked mine several weeks ago after not checking them for months and only had to add about a teaspoon to 2 of the cells in 2 batteries.
X-2 on the Progressive Dynamics 9200 with charge wizard. If yours is a WFCO it's either bad or will be soon.
Bill
'08 Cedar Creek 32TK, 35'9", 13,990#
'01 F-250,Lariat, 7.3L, SC, Auto, LB, JW Towmaster Tranny, 6.0L Tranny cooler, DP custom tunes, 4" Turbo back exhaust, Auto Meter Gauges, Firestone Air Bags. '07 Headlights and Grille, Prodigy P-3.
Offline
