Forum Discussion

roachcoach's avatar
roachcoach
Explorer
Jul 19, 2016

Converter bad

I thought my converter was bad because my batteries were not charging and the lights were getting dim. Checked the outlet that the converter was plugged into but there was no voltage. So I plugged the converter into another outlet and it worked there. Does it matter where you plug the converter in. Where do you start checking this outlet. Any advice would be appreciated thanks
  • Update on my converter it has been working great , everything all charged up. Now as far as the converter outlet it still has no voltage. I've checked the voltage by putting it on the breaker next to it that's is identical to it and it worked so bought a new breaker and it didn't work. I'm going to check the outlet plug by taking it out and inspecting it. I checked the voltage on the yellow conduit wire with a voltage tester and it looks like there is no voltage there. That yellow conduit leads into a plastic tube.
  • Richard,

    Many RVs use the boxless receptacles. These are fast and cheap to install. But, there is a problem when used in an application like an RV, they are very susceptible to loosing contact with vibration. I suggest that you get that receptacle out of the wall and inspect it. The are snapped together, but can be opened and reconnected. If it is good, look at where the feed comes from. That are daisy chained and the problem could be upstream of where you think it is.

    Matt
  • I would open the breaker panel and check that all hardware is tight but before you do unplug from shore power and trip the breaker(s) on the generator to ensure ALL power has been removed. Do the same for the transfer switch.

    A loose clamp holding a wire feeding power from a breaker or the neutral bus bar could cause a low or no volt situation. Cycling the breaker might have moved everything a bit to get partial power. Running the convertor off a second outlet is an OK short term temporary solution but best to have it on a dedicated circuit. Draining the house batteries and not being able to recharge makes life in a coach difficult considering how much stuff requires 12VDC either as primary power or for control purposes.
  • Check all outlets, breakers, and wiring. Also look for any shorts between shore power & converter.
  • Update: I flipped the breaker off and on and checked the voltage where the converter was plugged in and now there is voltage there but it reads 89.3 AC which even I know that's too low. My converter is working and charging like it should plugged into another outlet.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Does it matter where the converter is plugged in

    Two answers..
    On my RV there are only selected outlets where I can plug in the converter, it has a 20 amp plug and the RV came with only 3 20 amp outlets.. ONe for the washer/dryer, One (I think) for the fridge, and the one for the converter,, I've since added two more for space heaters.

    I also have a 20-15 Adapter.. But that's another story. (I actually made it for something else entirely).

    Now... Page 2; SO long as the plug fits. No it does not matter with the following conditions.

    Large converters you need to maintain "Balance" on a 50 amp rig, as the song goes "In this life there must be balance" (Crane Dance, by Julia Ecklar, Has nothing to do with electrical stuff).

    And some converters do not play nice with GFCI circuits. Others do.
  • Check all of the outlets it you've checked all the breakers it's probably a gfi .. Gfi will be on the face of the outlet it could be a bathroom outlet kitchen or anywhere it doesn't have to be near the converter outlet just after it in the string . One outlet will protect any after it in the sting if wired properly.
  • No there is one other outlet that's very close to the converter outlet. I flipped all the breakers off and on but still no voltage there at these 2 outlet's. For the meantime can I plug the converter elsewhere and how do you check if the breaker is bad?
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    I would check to see if that plug is on a GFI circuit and has tripped. Also check to see if any circuit breakers are tripped. Is that the only plug with no voltage?