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puppets4all's avatar
puppets4all
Explorer
Apr 02, 2014

110vt works, 12vt does not suddenly

Have been plugged in to 110vt for the past 6 months and all our 110 devices and 12vt worked just fine. Unplugged to travel 600 miles and discovered our 12vt lights not working nor the refrigerator sensor to switch it from 110 to propane. We do know that the converter is humming away while plugged into 110vt when needed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
  • When plugged in the converter takes 110V AC and 'converts' it to 12V DC to charge battery and supply the 12V DC system.

    When unhooked......the battery has to supply the 12V DC system (converters does nothing without 110V AC)

    Have you checked the battery disconnect switch in ON/USE position ('salesman switch', 'aux switch')?
    If in OFF/Disconnect position the house battery is isolated from 12V DC system and from being charged by converter.

    IF not the switch n wrong position then battery is dead and converter is not re-charging it.
  • Check the batteries VERY CAREFUL doing so-- when was the last time you checked their water level?
  • Hey Dave, welcome. Glad to see you finally decided to talk to us.:)

    On your problem....Use your multimeter and check the voltage on your house batteries......you do have a multimeter...right? If battery(s) fully charged, then check the salesman switch by your front door.

    I am a little confused by your statement that you can hear the converter humming even though you're not plugged into 120vac.

    You should let us know what rv (type, make, model, ect) you have so that we can better assist you.

    good luck on finding your problem and let's hear some more from you.

    Ron
  • As others have said, check the battery it's probably toast. Six months plugged in probably boiled dry. JMO
  • do 12v items work with engine running .had the same thing happen . ended up being tripped circuit breaker
  • Your answers in black Have you checked the battery disconnect switch in ON/USE position ('salesman switch', 'aux switch')?
    If in OFF/Disconnect position the house battery is isolated from 12V DC system and from being charged by converter.
    IF not the switch n wrong position then battery is dead and converter is not re-charging it.
    my reply in red Thank you for all the responses.
    We have a 1993 Winnebago Adventurer. Thank you. You nailed the issue. No more problem now that I moved the rocker switch to the “on” position.


    Check the batteries VERY CAREFUL doing so-- when was the last time you checked their water level?
    Thanks-. The batteries are marine sealed batteries so I don’t see any caps to pull up to add water to them.

    On your problem....Use your multimeter and check the voltage on your house batteries......you do have a multimeter...right? If battery(s) fully charged, then check the salesman switch by your front door.
    Thanks- The batteries read 13.5v. That is where the confusion was coming from, why the 12v system was not working. The “salesman switch I found on the drivers side dash- aux rocker switch. Now that it is engaged, all is fine. Need to be more knowledgeable about all the switches and lights in the rv. We are full timers but only drive it 2 times a year, once down to Mexico, 600 miles from the boarder and then back to the US to Flagstaff. Either points, we are plugged in to 110, and have not really tried to “dry camp” where all these issues would be 2nd natured to us.

    I am a little confused by your statement that you can hear the converter humming even though you're not plugged into 120vac.
    The convert works normally while plugged into 110v
  • 'puppets4all'

    Thanks for the update!

    Glad to hear it was just the switch in wrong position.

    I chased a 12V DC problem for half a day when GF asked "What's this switch for?"
    "DUH...it isolates the batteries!"