Forum Discussion

NanHenson's avatar
NanHenson
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013

converter and start capacitor replacement

I bought my '96 Coachmen fifth wheel in 2007. In '09, maybe '10, I replaced the start capacitor. In '11, I replaced the converter. In '13, I replaced both the capacitor and converter again. Do I have something specific going on? Bad timing? Bad luck?
  • Electric/electronics can fail brand new......

    And some electric/electronics are better than others.

    Why did you have to replace converter and which one did you replace with....WFCO?

    Do you monitor the 110V AC voltage?
    Low & high voltage.....especially low can cause damage.
  • The old converter died. It was original equipment. I replaced it with a WFCO. I do not monitor my voltage. How should I do that?
  • WFCO has a two year warranty if that helps. I would get a different brand. What was the original or what is the model distribution center?

    Can't help on start capacitor but I would be tempted to replace the entire unit at 17 years old.
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    I was buying a RUN capacitor for our home A/C and went to a different shop than I got the failed one from. I mentioned the failed one didn't last very long. Counter person showed me the labeling and said it was a very low-rated part according to some spec that was on it. Showed me the rating on what they were selling and pointed out that it was higher. Ratings were in operating hours, like light bulbs. I like this new shop. Higher rated cap was half the price I'd paid before...
  • j-d wrote:
    I like this new shop. Higher rated cap was half the price I'd paid before...


    Quality and knowledgeable people are real gems. Be sure to patronize them and spread their good name!
  • NanHenson wrote:
    The old converter died. It was original equipment. I replaced it with a WFCO. I do not monitor my voltage. How should I do that?


    Simple plug in monitor


    OR install a surge protector with voltage protection and remote display
    Progressive Industries.....30A or 50A LINK

    The surge protector will test AC power, shutdown/reset on low & high voltages plus protect from surge and remote will display voltage

    Next time you need to replace converter...check with these folks about upgraded converter to replace that WFCO....Best Converter
  • smkettner wrote:
    WFCO has a two year warranty if that helps. I would get a different brand. What was the original or what is the model distribution center?

    Can't help on start capacitor but I would be tempted to replace the entire unit at 17 years old.


    Yeah, I was a couple months past the warranty date, sadly. I replaced it with a progressive dynamics.

    You'd replace the A/C? That would hurt.
  • j-d wrote:
    I was buying a RUN capacitor for our home A/C and went to a different shop than I got the failed one from. I mentioned the failed one didn't last very long. Counter person showed me the labeling and said it was a very low-rated part according to some spec that was on it. Showed me the rating on what they were selling and pointed out that it was higher. Ratings were in operating hours, like light bulbs. I like this new shop. Higher rated cap was half the price I'd paid before...


    I'll have to check that out. The one I just installed was more expensive. I bought it at Camping World. The one that failed was from an A/C place, not a camper place. I went to CW with the failed one clutched in my hot little hand and they wouldn't replace it without the model number of the A/C. There was another 30 mile round trip I didn't want to make! But it was 95 out, so that's what I did.
  • Old-Biscuit wrote:
    NanHenson wrote:
    The old converter died. It was original equipment. I replaced it with a WFCO. I do not monitor my voltage. How should I do that?


    Simple plug in monitor


    OR install a surge protector with voltage protection and remote display
    Progressive Industries.....30A or 50A LINK

    The surge protector will test AC power, shutdown/reset on low & high voltages plus protect from surge and remote will display voltage

    Next time you need to replace converter...check with these folks about upgraded converter to replace that WFCO....Best Converter


    Thanks for that monitoring info. The WFCO was the one I just replaced this year. I did talk to Randy as everyone here recommended and he put me on to Progressive Dynamics model.

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