![]() ![]() Begin by checking voltage at the outlet the RV is plugged into.Power converters require sufficient voltage input to operate. If you have some DIY skills you can perform basic troubleshooting on your power converter. These add convenience and many owners upgrade to inverter-type power supplies when replacement time comes. Some newer models combine an inverter, which provides 120 volt AC power that’s produced electronically from 12 volt DC battery power, when the coach isn’t connected to an outside source of electricity. Modern converters operate automatically and have become more efficient. You can also look up the ratings in the manuals that come with the RV. Usually the make and model and power ratings are written on the case. When it is powered up, it gives off a humming sound, which can help you locate it. Typically it’s a metal box a little bigger than a large box of facial tissues and is situated adjacent to the fuse panel, near where the wiring comes into the coach. Many owners don’t even know where their converter is located. One of the best things you can do for the life of your battery/ies is to familiarize yourself with the type of power converter you have in your coach. Multi-stage power converter/chargers that have an equalization stage are needed for effective battery charging. When batteries are stored in a partially charged or discharged condition, and/or are improperly charged, sulfation occurs.īatteries are sensitive to charging voltages and require multiple charging stages to get a full, proper charge. Sulfation occurs when lead sulfate forms on the internal plates and reduces or even halts the battery’s ability to accept and hold a charge. It’s likely that the majority of RV batteries succumb to sulfation, rather than actually being worn out, or dying of old age. Related article: RV Battery Basics: A Beginner’s Guideīatteries have become quite expensive, and faulty charging by the converter can be both inconvenient due to loss of power, and costly in terms of ruining batteries. Modern multi-stage charging circuits typically include four operation modes: boost, normal, equalization and storage (or float). Some converter models supply only a fixed voltage of around 13.2 volts, which prevents batteries from reaching full charge and also shortens their service life. They don’t have the sophisticated internal circuitry to properly charge and condition batteries. ![]() Many basic single-stage converters, typically found in older and lower-priced coaches, are still in use. ![]() This electricity supplied by the converter can take the place of the power from the batteries, and can also recharge them. When you are connected to campground power or running off a generator, the power converter changes the 120 volt AC power to 12 volts DC, which is compatible with the low-voltage electrical system and batteries. If any of visitors have tips or suggestions for you they can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Add A Comment" link located near the bottom of this page.Top left: Parallax Series 7300 top right: Iota Engineering DLS Model bottom left: Progressive Dynamics Model PD9250c bottom right: Xantrex Truecharge 2-40a Anytime you work on any electrical problems in an RV, there is always the potential of creating a situation where your RV can catch fire. Unless you are real familiar with the workings of your RV's electrical system you may end up doing more harm than good in attempting to repair the problem yourself. When it comes to most electrical problems in an RV, I prefer to refer RVer's to let a qualified RV Technician do the repair work. Have your house batteries checked for shorts, dead cells etc.Įven if you finally diagnose the problem, fixing it is another story. If the fuse does not blow when the house batteries are disconnected then the problem is with the house batteries or the wiring leading off of the house batteries. ![]() This means that the problem is somewhere in the charger itself or the wiring leading to the battery.ģ. Replace the fuse and plug in the trailer if the fuse blows again, we can pretty much eliminate the problem as being the house batteries. Make sure that none of the battery cables are sitting on metal when they are disconnected. You can do this by looking at the owner's manual of your trailer, if the fuse panel is not labeled.Ģ. First confirm that the fuse you are talking about is for the built in battery charger on your trailer. Here are my suggestions for what you should do.ġ. It could be a bad battery or your charger could have a short in it. Could it be a bad battery?ĪNSWER Greetings thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page. Why does the 20 amp fuse on the converter/charger blow when the trailer is plugged-in for external power? With the fuse removed, the lights, receptacles and fridge work. ![]()
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