Forum Discussion

Old_Blue's avatar
Old_Blue
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014

Converter question

Is it possible to run my 12v lights etc, in our M/H without the converter hooked up? We need to get our batteries checked and will
be out of the M/H for several hours.
Old Blue
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    As noted. the Magnetek 6300 needs either a battery (Even a small one) or a "Battery Simulator" inorder to work (You can use a "Hardening condenser or capacitor from a high end auto-music shop think "Car Tunes" or some such)

    Most other converters do not care if you have a battery or not.

    Suggestions:

    PAINT, two small cans (Testors?) of spray one red one black

    If you have wires that run battery to battery, AND you have six volt pairs, Then skip the wire that runs positive to negative between the two sixes, But for all wires that connect ONLY to positive or ONLY to negative,, and for all wires that run off to somewhere NOT a battery.

    Spray the positive wires RED, negative Black

    For terminals with more than one wire attached, Tie the wires together with tape, wire ties or string.

    For the POSITIVE wires, when you get them off the battery insulate them (Shove them into a plastic bag and tie it closed for example or a plastic cup inside a plastic bag is even better)

    Then take your bateries to teh test center ang when you drop in the new ones,, You will know what goes where, and you won't miss a wire.
  • Confusing!
    If you are connected to shore power, Why would your converter be disconnected?
    You can disconnect, insulate the positive battery lead and remove the batteries to have the checked.
    While batteries are removed and connected to shore power all the DC systems should work off the converter.
  • beemerphile1 is right. Let us know the make and model of the converter.
  • beemerphile1 wrote:
    If the converter isn't hooked up and the batteries are removed nothing will work.
    Yep.
  • If the converter isn't hooked up and the batteries are removed nothing will work.

    I think what you mean is can the RV operate from the converter with the batteries disconnected. If that is the question then the answer is maybe. What converter do you have? Any RV converter newer than 2006 is okay but some older ones require a battery to be in place.
  • Unless you have an older converter such as a Magnetek 6300 you can run the 12v stuff from it while on shore power or gen for its 120v input, with no batteries connected.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,193 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 26, 2025