Forum Discussion

Jamboree1's avatar
Jamboree1
Explorer
Apr 26, 2014

12volt electrical problem

I have a 2006 Ford E450 gas Class A Jamboree 26 Q.
I am having trouble with the 12 volt in house system. First have problem when plugging in the share cord to 110 the 12 volt does not come on for awhile, when the power does come on and I use the lights or furnace or water heater for 5 minutes the power goes off for about three minutes then come back on then runs 5 minutes the off again. When I turn just two lights on it seem fine. The Refer and Tv do not lose power, just the 12 volt problem . Could it be the WFCO power converter/charger WF 98?? or a short in the system. My knowledge is about zero on electrical systems.
Help would be appreciated Thank You

6 Replies

  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Apr 27, 2014
    WFFCO converters are not known for reliability so yes, it is possible that is it, HOwever I can think of several other possible issues as well. too many to list.

    Are your HOUSE batteries in "Connected" state or are they disconnected,

    Is there a tripped circuit breaker on the house battery side

    or a defective one, or a blown fuse or a bad connection or wire.

    What shape are the house batteries in (IE: Measure Voltage at the battery terminals) You could have a shorted cell which can cause symptoms much like what you see. (Been there I can tell you.. My somewhat heavier duty converter still provided power though)

    This is a "Short list" the full list is much longer.
  • handye9's avatar
    handye9
    Explorer II
    Apr 26, 2014
    westend wrote:
    If your house batteries are good, you should have 12V without plugging in. My WAG is that the batteries are bad and the converter is struggling while trying to charge them.


    X2

    I think it's a battery issue.

    First check for loose or corroded connections on the battery/s.

    A shorted cell in house battery, can make that battery act as a huge resistor. Trying to charge, it will draw more power than your converter is capable of putting out. Even with shore power hooked up, your 12 volt systems (lights, water pump, etc) will operate intermittently, and at times not at all.

    Pull your house battery/s and have it / them load tested.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Apr 26, 2014
    If your house batteries are good, you should have 12V without plugging in. My WAG is that the batteries are bad and the converter is struggling while trying to charge them.
  • Dr_Quick's avatar
    Dr_Quick
    Explorer II
    Apr 26, 2014
    Could be some kind of a "thermal overload" in the converter is kicking out, because it is weak. Or possibly change over relay in converter is bad. When you are connected to 120 volts, try disconnection the "House battery" and see what happens. Converter should be able to power all 12 volt items in Motor home. If every thing goes out, they converter is probably bad.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Apr 26, 2014
    Usually, if the converter is dead, you might not notice right away after plugging in the shore power, because you will still be on house battery for 12v. Later after the lights go dim etc, you will notice you have no converter as the batteries run down.

    You plug in and get no 12v at all for a few minutes then it comes on? Weird.

    Before we can discuss the converter etc, first clear up why you don't have 12v on battery, converter or no converter.
  • Mandalay_Parr's avatar
    Mandalay_Parr
    Explorer
    Apr 26, 2014
    Might have bad batteries. I would check them first. Then have someone check your converter.

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