I have a weird problem and can't seem to figure it out. When I unplug my rv from shore power none of my 12v system (lights, slide, etc.) works. The battery is brand new! I have checked all fuses (good) and have checked the converter ( Intelli-Power PD 9160) and come up with mixed results. I unplug the converter from power and remove the hot wire from the battery and plug back into power. When I first check voltage it reads around 14v then after the initial reading it only reads small amounts in Mv. I checked the fuses on the controller also and they check good. ANY help will be greatly appreciated!

You should measure the converter voltage with the battery hooked up. With the converter plugged in and Not plugged in.Give us those readings.Also how about your battery disconnect switch.You may call me. I am an electrical troubleshooter.

I think this is the converter problem as and I have seen cases like this, but I do not want to give a clear-cut verdict here as it may be something else as well. I am pretty much sure you are facing issue with converter nothing else.

Battery disconnect, tripped main breaker, blown fuse in the convertor, wired backwards, etc..

From what you explained to us, it looks like the converter is having problems. Pull the two output fuses from the converter and check them with an ohm meter to verify they are good.Put them or new ones in and with the battery disconnected, plug in the converter. Turn on a light or two and check the output voltage of the converter. If you get no output check the input voltage (120VAC), if it is there then your converter is bad.Let us know what you get.

Thanks for the responses! I will try to check these items asap. I have not found the battery disconnect yet or a fuse on the hot wire of the battery. Ive just found this problem and have had limited time to troubleshoot. I did check all fuses as far as the fuse block goes and also the 3 fuses on the converter itself.

Converter problem or something else? | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

Chuck_Gail
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013
Sorry, fixed already, good.
jmercjr
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013
OK! I feel a little stupid but the problem is found and fixed. I have just had this RV 3 days. When I did the walk-thru I was told a new battery was installed. It should have been the first thing I checked? I found that when they installed the new battery they (dealer) forgot to tighten the the nuts to the terminals (both pos. and neg.). I tightened everything down and now I have all 12v power when unplugged from shore power. Thanks for all the suggestions!
jmercjr
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013
OK! I feel a little stupid but the problem is found and fixed. I have just had this RV 3 days. When I did the walk-thru I was told a new battery was installed. It should have been the first thing I checked? I found that when they installed the new battery they (dealer) forgot to tighten the the nuts to the terminals (both pos. and neg.). I tightened everything down and now I have all 12v power when unplugged from shore power. Thanks for all the suggestions!
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013
MISSING: What is your battery voltage? I've never seen a factory setup minus a main protection fuse somewhere near the battery. Fuse or breaker. The Usual Suspects.
BFL13
Explorer II
Jun 17, 2013
"The battery is brand new." You know the converter works (you get 12v on shore power---but confirm it is at 13.6v, not 12.x volts)

So suspect the new battery is not connected properly or its fuse blew.

First suspect is the last thing anybody touched :(
jmercjr
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013
Yes! Everything 12v works when plugged into shore power. Its only when I disconnect from shore power that I lose all 12v functions.
mbopp
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013
Does all the 12V stuff work when plugged into shore power?
What's the voltage on the battery?
Sounds like it may be a bad connection between the battery and converter, including a bad ground.
1492
Moderator
Jun 17, 2013
Moved from Forum Technical Support
jmercjr
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013
Thanks for the responses! I will try to check these items asap. I have not found the battery disconnect yet or a fuse on the hot wire of the battery. Ive just found this problem and have had limited time to troubleshoot. I did check all fuses as far as the fuse block goes and also the 3 fuses on the converter itself.
1995brave
Nomad
Jun 17, 2013
From what you explained to us, it looks like the converter is having problems. Pull the two output fuses from the converter and check them with an ohm meter to verify they are good.
Put them or new ones in and with the battery disconnected, plug in the converter. Turn on a light or two and check the output voltage of the converter. If you get no output check the input voltage (120VAC), if it is there then your converter is bad.
Let us know what you get.