garym114
Bluff Dale, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 07/24/2006
View Profile
 Offline
|
Kalusniak wrote:OK, I got some additional insight from the previous owner.
According to him, the batteries have to be charged to run the converter. He doesn't know why, just said that the batteries probably need to be trickle-charged from a 120 source before the lights will work.
Does this make sense? It seems to me that if I'm plugged into a 120 source, the converter should work and the lights should come on. Why would I need battey power???
It makes no sense. The converter operates on 120v ac current. When plugged in the converter should supply all 12v loads and charge the batteries.
See my post above.
2000 Sea Breeze F53 V10 - CR-V Toad
Some RV batteries live a long and useful life, some are murdered.
Get a Digital Multimeter and Learn How to Use It
|
donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
Senior Member
Joined: 04/21/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
The converter charges the battery. Some converters are not capable of charging a dead battery. But even at that if everything is working the converter should supply some power when plugged in. I still suspect there is fuses or breakers open.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
Resident Know It All 
|
ScottG
Bothell Wa.
Senior Member
Joined: 02/25/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Sounds like the converter has been shot for a while.
Scott, Grace and Wesly
2003 Dodge 3500 4x4, 6 speed Cummins (lightly bombed),
2004 Forest River 25RKS many, many mods.
H0NDA eu2000i
|
Kalusniak
Illinois
New Member
Joined: 03/21/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
Is it fairly easy to change out the converter? I'm a rookie and don't want to mess anything up. Also, any recommendations?
|
opnspaces
San Diego Ca
Senior Member
Joined: 12/22/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Before you spend any money do you have access to a multimeter? It would really help you to know what is going on with the batteries. I would also open the converter panel and flip all breakers and check all fuses. It's possible your converter is good and the fuse is blown.
First thing I would do is try to isolate further by looking at both batteries. Maybe one of the two is bad and causing a problem. Try disconnecting one at a time and see if things change. Can you take the batteries off the trailer and charge one up or replace it with a known good battery (wifes car )  ? Make sure you mark the wires or take a digital photo before you disconnect them. Also if the batteries were ever mis-wired it might have blown a fuse in the converter. Visually trace the negative battery wire and verify that it goes to a frame ground. The fact that the lights work on external power seems to suggest that this is good, but it doesn't hurt to check.
If you have access to a meter, take a battery voltage reading with the trailer unplugged. Then plug it in and check the voltages again. It should be jumping up to 13.5V or more when on shore power.
1996 Suburban 4x4. 350, 4.10 3/4 ton
2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH
1986 Coleman Columbia Popup.
|
|
|
opnspaces
San Diego Ca
Senior Member
Joined: 12/22/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Kalusniak wrote:OK, I got some additional insight from the previous owner.
According to him, the batteries have to be charged to run the converter. He doesn't know why, just said that the batteries probably need to be trickle-charged from a 120 source before the lights will work.
Does this make sense? It seems to me that if I'm plugged into a 120 source, the converter should work and the lights should come on. Why would I need battey power???
Probably because the converter is not charging and he has really been running off his batteries all this time. So he charges them up at home and suddenly the lights start working. 
|
RoyB
King George, VA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/13/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
We need the exact name and model number of the Converter. I dont think I have ever heard of a POWERSOURCE brand converter. They usually have names like WFCO, MAGNETEX, PROGRESSIVE DYNAMICS, IOTA etc This will be a chassis usually near the floor maybe under the oven door or in the kitchen area. Has a flip down lid where inside is your 120VAC Circuit Breaker and 12VDC fuses. The converter/charger chassis may be in a bottom compartment or mounted in the rear of this Power Distribution Center chassis.
You may also have a brochure on it in package of paperwork maybe in one of the cabinet drawers or stuck in an large envelope where the hot water hearter is located. You should have a brochure on just about everything installed in the trailer.
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM me
Roy and Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
2005 Flagstaff 8528RESS
POPUP PHOTOs-Pg52-Pg56
.JPG)
|
Kalusniak
Illinois
New Member
Joined: 03/21/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
The converter that is in it is a PowerSource Model PC45 (45 amp) Made by Todd Engineering Sales in Elkhart, IN. But I cannot find any information on it.
Further updates to this mystery....Yesterday I went out to the trailer and put a trickle charger on it. The battery is taking charge. I ran it for 4 hours, diconneced, and tried the lights. They work. So, it seems to me the batteries were dead and the converter is not working.
I cannot find much info on the PC45.....they are out of business. So, I suppose I could take it out and check for a fuse, but that will take some work. it's back in there and I'll have to remove the circut box and a few boards.
If anyone had a recommendation on a converter/charger, that would be helpful.
I still wonder....why should I need batteries at all if I'm plugged into shore power? Or is that because the converter is shot?
Sorry for all of the questions, I'm a newbie. Trying to get this thing ready to take my kids camping next weekend.
Thank you all for the help!!!!
|
Kalusniak
Illinois
New Member
Joined: 03/21/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
One more question...Should I stick with a 45 amp model? Or should I go bigger? What are the ramifications/pros/cons?
|
DavidP
Raleigh
Senior Member
Joined: 09/13/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
If the convertor is not charging the battery or supplying 12 volt current but functions as you say with the batteries charged a work around would be temporarily installing a small 10amp/trickle charger. This will allow you to get the unit fully functional while you sort through everything you need. You can then start making the repairs.
On a side note, did you operate the slide once the battery was charged?
|
|
|
