I have a new to me 08 Bounder in which the lights change brightness. I've turned off all electric appliances but it continues. Sometimes with greater frequency than others. I have absolutely no mechanical ability so I don't know what to do. Help! Thanks.

Sounds like your 'converter' is failing.When connected to shore power the converter takes AC power IN and puts DC power out.That DC power is used to supply all dc demands and recharge the batteryConverter DC Voltage output should be steady (depending on demand).When converter starts failing the DC Voltage will fluctuate.AND this dimming/brightening of lights can be due to a bad battery......shorted/bad cell So you need to check each battery cell 'specific gravity', check battery voltage/load test and converter DC output with battery disconnected....voltage S/B 13.2V Time to buy a digital volt meter and learn to use one......every RV owner should have one and know how to use it.

Probably loose ground connection or dimmer switch is going bad. Electricity is like water. Batteries are the source, wires are the conduit, switches allow passage, fuses keep the smoke from being let out of wires. It's easy, start at the battery, you have power from there to the fuse panel, from there it goes to the light switch to the dimmer to the lights to ground. OOPs I was thinking going down the road.

So assuming you are plugged in and this happens, I agree sounds like a bad converter. The converter charges your battery also. You can check your converter with a volt meter. I have replaced several bad converters over the years. It is a easy fix. If you disconnect the battery and the lights run properly then it could be a bad (maybe a frozen? battery) causing strange things to happen. Pretty much what Old Biscuit said. Definitely need to get you hands on a volt meter with a RV. Just like Biscuit said too!:)

I also have an 08 Bounder and experienced the same symptoms when I failed to turn on my master switch in the electrical compartment near the inverter. If the switch isn't turned on the converter is not feeding the system and everything is drawing off the battery. An older battery(s) can lead to dimming lights. Check the switch. It should be a red rotary switch near the inverter in the compartment above the propane tank.

You first need to find someone that understands how to use a Volt meter.. If the following is the cause, it's an easy fix.I saw this exact thing happen several years ago on a Monaco. It turned out that the coach was charging at a higher rate than the auto-reset CB that Monaco installed. Breaker heats up and opens, lights dim. Breaker cools and resets, lights get brighter until the cycle repeats itself.

Lights get bright and then dim | Good Sam Community

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 10, 2016
Converters don't cycle on/off....are always on when AC power is supplied to them

DC Output voltage will change from 13.2V (float mode) to 13.6V (absorption mode) to 14.4V (bulk mode)

Converter is supplying the DC System (Lights, circuit boards, water pump, furnace etc) when AC Power is supplied to them PLUS maintaining battery voltage.
-Gramps-
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
It is most likely your house batteries...they need water or possibly you have a dead cell. I would check them first. You should consider getting a hydrometer to do a charging check. Its a tool all rvers should have on board.
wildmanbaker
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
Bill, you have had a lot of information thrown at you, and all could be helpful, but it you do not know how to do the testing to find out what the problem really is, maybe you could ask a friend if they could help you get on the right track to fix the problem. Most RVers are more than happy to try and help others find and fix small problems like these. As always, try to get back to us with the fix.
Gjac
Explorer III
Feb 10, 2016
As Wildman says you got a lot of good info. If you can answer a few questions it would help. Does this happen when the generator is running, or hooked up to shore power? If you disconnect from shore power and run off just batteries(no generator power) do the lights still behave the same way?
John_Joey
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Converters don't cycle on/off....are always on when AC power is supplied to them

DC Output voltage will change from 13.2V (float mode) to 13.6V (absorption mode) to 14.4V (bulk mode)

Converter is supplying the DC System (Lights, circuit boards, water pump, furnace etc) when AC Power is supplied to them PLUS maintaining battery voltage.

Well that sounds like some old school book smarts, but 'splain me this Lucy. When I bought my rig the PO just installed a new battery and a new "smart" converter (per his words.) When my lights go dim the OEM battery meter shows 3/4 charge. When the lights jump up to bright, the OEM battery meter reads full charge. :h

Do you think it might just have something to do with preserving the lifespan of a deep cycle battery, like there might be some science to that also and there could be a bigger picture to this simple problem. :E
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 10, 2016
John&Joey wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Converters don't cycle on/off....are always on when AC power is supplied to them

DC Output voltage will change from 13.2V (float mode) to 13.6V (absorption mode) to 14.4V (bulk mode)

Converter is supplying the DC System (Lights, circuit boards, water pump, furnace etc) when AC Power is supplied to them PLUS maintaining battery voltage.

Well that sounds like some old school book smarts, but 'splain me this Lucy. When I bought my rig the PO just installed a new battery and a new "smart" converter (per his words.) When my lights go dim the OEM battery meter shows 3/4 charge. When the lights jump up to bright, the OEM battery meter reads full charge. :h

Do you think it might just have something to do with preserving the lifespan of a deep cycle battery, like there might be some science to that also and there could be a bigger picture to this simple problem. :E

Sounds more like you have an issue..........
Have you checked out your actual DC voltage using a multimeter?
Lights should not be dimming/going bright
SCVJeff
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
I'm in a CG right now with a mini-Bounder rally going on. I'll,walk over and ask the question, but I still submit that what yo are seeing IF it's times repetitive, is an auto-resetting circuit breaker opening and closing. It's been awhile but I think the rate was less than 30 sec on and off.

(Later): They are all out gambling.. I'll check back later

(More Later): went back over there again and none of them were around. Probably still in the Casino
Southwind98
Explorer
Feb 11, 2016
Agree with those posting it most likely the converter. Experience the same symptoms several years ago with lights dimming on our 08 Bounder. Had to replace the converter, which was a straight forward job. My converter was located behind a rear bedroom drawer.

Posted this on a previous post a couple of years ago:
If you do need to replace the converter I highly recommend best converter http://www.bestconverter.com/
They were recommended from many others on this forum. I was very happy with my dealing and purchase from them. I purchased the Power Max Boondocker 75 amp
CG_Dawson
Explorer
Feb 11, 2016
I agree with those folks who think it's most likely that your converter is failing. I say this because the same thing happened to me. My problem was actually caused due to the converter cooling fan failing which allowed the converter to overheat and reduce it's output.
rseymour21
Explorer
Feb 11, 2016
I had a battery casue me the same issue. But I hope we will hear about the fix soon!