I recently bought an older (1989) camper and have been going through and testing all of the mechanicals, etc. I wanted to test the converter, so I plugged it in to a 120V outlet and then checked the voltage at the two output wires (which were not connected to anything). It measured about 17.5 volts. and hums pretty loud when plugged in.Is this a reasonable output voltage for this unit? It seemed high to me and I dont' want to fry anything. Also, is the humming normal or do I need a new one?The ID plate on the converter didn't indicate what the output voltage should be (other than it generically said 12volt). If it matters, the brand is Magnatek.Thanks!Bob E.

Is there a battery hooked up to it? If so that's extremely high and will kil the battery fast.

Anything over about 14.8 is bad for a non-customizable setup.

I had actually removed it from the camper and had it on my workbench. So nothing was connected to it. I just plugged the power cord into the wall and checked the voltage at the two wires (red and white) with a voltmeter. It is a separate unit located under the kitchen sink towards the front of the camper while the fuse/breaker distribution box is located in the rear bedroom.

Open lead voltage could be higher then the 14 volt normally seen.In your vintage of rig, I would be replaceing the converter with a newer one. It will save you headaches and batteries down the road.

Thanks...Since the camper has a lot of water damage and I'm basically rebuilding it, I was leaning towards just replacing/upgrading to something better, including the entire distribution center/fuse/breaker panel. Any recommendations on a new converter/power distribution center? I was considering a PDI 4500 series 50 amp power center like this:http://www.bestconverter.com/4500-Series-Power-Center-50-Amp-Service_c_140.htmlIs this a good unit?

Converter Output Voltage | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

Bob_E_
Explorer
Jul 06, 2017
Thanks...Since the camper has a lot of water damage and I'm basically rebuilding it, I was leaning towards just replacing/upgrading to something better, including the entire distribution center/fuse/breaker panel.

Any recommendations on a new converter/power distribution center? I was considering a PDI 4500 series 50 amp power center like this:

http://www.bestconverter.com/4500-Series-Power-Center-50-Amp-Service_c_140.html

Is this a good unit?
enblethen
Nomad
Jul 06, 2017
Open lead voltage could be higher then the 14 volt normally seen.
In your vintage of rig, I would be replaceing the converter with a newer one. It will save you headaches and batteries down the road.
Bob_E_
Explorer
Jul 06, 2017
I had actually removed it from the camper and had it on my workbench. So nothing was connected to it. I just plugged the power cord into the wall and checked the voltage at the two wires (red and white) with a voltmeter.

It is a separate unit located under the kitchen sink towards the front of the camper while the fuse/breaker distribution box is located in the rear bedroom.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2017
Anything over about 14.8 is bad for a non-customizable setup.
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 06, 2017
Is there a battery hooked up to it? If so that's extremely high and will kil the battery fast.

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Converter Output Voltage

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