Forum Discussion

kjk66ss's avatar
kjk66ss
Explorer
Jun 30, 2015

Power convertor?

Hey everyone, I have a 2010 raptor 5th wheel. I am having a problem with my lights dimming/surging, while ether the generator is running or hooked up to shore power.

Where is the convertor located?

anyone with a newer raptor, what convertor does yours have? If I replace I might as well get the latest.
  • The lights flickered and occasionally went dim on my trailer prior to the converter failing. I don't remember where I got the replacement, other than it was some trailer supply store in Idaho. It was recommended that I don't use the brand that came with the trailer as the seller said they experienced a very high failure rate with that brand. I went with another type that was a bit more, but rated very high. This was two years ago...no problems since. As others recommended, check your batteries first.
  • Yes there is a cooling fan on the converter that kicks on when the unit gets hot.

    Not much info here to go on but I would have to ask have you charged your 2 month old batteries since you got them. If you purchased new battery's, installed them on the trailer and walked away from the trailer for 2 months then the battery's are probably low and may have a bad cell or two. If the battery's have been used and maintained then its probably not them.

    Get out your volt meter and see were the battery's read, what is the voltage when plugged into shore power or generator? This would tell you if the converter is doing anything.
  • Thanks muddy... When I bought the batteries first thing I did was wired them how you're supposed to wire 6v batteries. Then I got my 6v battery tender/charger and charged them both then that was it. I had not used the trailer other than just cycling the generator for about an hour with the AC on to cycle everything
  • OK, do you have a battery disconnect switch? If not your trailer has been setting for a couple months bleeding off power so I would start at the battery's. Check there current volts then get them charged up again. My bet is the battery's are low and need a good charge. Chances are with new battery's you didn't hurt them to bad and after a good charge they will be good to go.
  • If your trailer only uses 5 AMP's a day to power the always on stuff in 60 days its used 300 AMP's. You are not using a lot of power if the fridge is off as the trailer is probably only powering the CO and propane detector but there is also your converter fan that might be coming on if the trailer is getting hot enough during the day. Your first improvement after you get this figured out might be installing a battery disconnect switch if you don't have one or a little solar so you don't need one.
  • The trailer has the factory disconnect knob by the fuse box panel. . Originally I thought it was the batteries charging up too but sometimes the dimming of the lights wouldn't start for 20munutes after being plugged in or of the generator running