Forum Discussion

emoore613's avatar
emoore613
Explorer
Feb 07, 2018

Electrical Power Issue

Someone please help. Have a 2005 KZ Frontier 2505. Having horrible power surge issues. Have replaced cord, all fuses, checked general wire connections. It does it regardless of whether I am connected to shore power & if I have battery connected. It is intermittent, but does seem to happen more when its hot. When it cools down at night, it does it less, but does happen. All power goes out, lights, outlets, etc. Then it will magically come back on. Sometimes it only stays off for 5 seconds, sometimes its 5 minutes. Everytime it cycles off/on, the propane leak detector beeps. Beyond annoying. I am thinking it is my converter, which is still original from 2005.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2018
    A CHARGED battery would support lights if a converter failed

    A bad converter CAN ruin a good battery

    A intermittent converter plus bad battery can cause blackouts in the 12V system.

    Each needs to be examined and rectified if bad.
  • DavidP's avatar
    DavidP
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2018
    Your second posts clarifies things. You stated in your first posts outlets lose power. This would indicate two independent systems failing simultaneously or at the minimum the circuit that feeds the outlet powering the converter. That can be removed from the equation since you now mention outlets do not lose power. What you’re experiencing is either a bad battery or a converter not putting out proper 12 volt current of 13.2-14.2 volts. Like someone mentioned, test the output of the converter and I would also load test the battery. If both of those pass then it lies between the 12 volt line in to the fuse panel or any number of the circuits that go dead.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Feb 07, 2018
    You need know if the battery is any good. Unplug shore power and with the battery disconnect switch closed, do you have steady 12v (lights, fans, etc) If so, at what voltage? If no voltmeter, are the lights dim or bright? LP alarm?

    Then try it with no battery connected (take a wire off the battery post, not by using the disconnect switch) and plug in shore power. Any 12v? At what voltage?
  • emoore613's avatar
    emoore613
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2018
    First & foremost, let me clarify a few things. My camper does not have an ATS...1 less thing to involve. And I did state something wrong....the power is not technically surging, when this happens, I am completely losing power, whether its for 10 seconds or 10 minutes. HOWEVER, when the power does go out, all outlets still work. Again, same problem whether the battery is connected or not.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2018
    • You have described multiple symptoms that can have multiple causes
    • The loss of outlet power can be due to shore power connection, or cord
    • A bad transfer switch can cause the symptom
    • A bad connection inside your rig's breaker box can likewise cause the symptoms
    • Suggest starting with the fixing of periodic outlet power problem FIRST because other symptoms may self-cure after outlet power problem is fixed.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2018
    Since you said that the outlets fail, I guess you mean the 120 volt outlets. I suspect you have a bad connection in the power outlet, trailer plug, trailer twist-lock connector, power distribution box or the trailer main breaker.

    Power "surges" are not power outages.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Feb 07, 2018
    Disconnect battery POS cable
    Plug rig into shore power

    Verify converter has 120V AC Input
    Measure Converter DC output
    S/B 13.2V DC MINIMUM
    If lower converter is bad/failing


    Measure battery Voltage
    Then check each cell specific gravity with hydrometer
    OR just remove battery-take to auto parts store and have it Load Testes
    Buy new battery
    NOTE: MARK/ID Battery POS & NEG cables PRIOR to disconnecting so that you do NOT hookup backwards casue then you will have other problems
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Feb 07, 2018
    Lights are DC (12v) and outlets are AC (120v)

    The surging could be a bad converter (powered by 120v supplies 12v.)
    The LP alarm beeps when it has low DC voltage. The battery (12v) should take over when the converter is off. So it seems the converter cycles off but there is no battery 12v to take over.

    If the converter is bad then it could be your battery has died and you didn't notice because of being on shore power getting 12v from converter. Some battery issues can make the converter act up.

    If the outlets quit working at the same time the converter quits working, then you have a 120v problem as well.
  • emoore613's avatar
    emoore613
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2018
    Thank you for quick reply. That is what I suspected. It is so random, and because it is all power going out regardless of whether I am connected, I cannot see it being any other problem. I don't see any short in connections.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2018
    I think you are correct....I suspect your converter is failing. Or, maybe the cooling fan is faulty because you referenced this issue during hot day times.

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