Forum Discussion

Travel_glampers's avatar
Travel_glampers
Explorer
Apr 05, 2021

Model PD9280A converter problems

I am trying to replace the above original converter in my fiver (with same model converter). The first attempt resulted in 0 volts DC coming out of the converter, with it being plugged into 120 volts AC (meter check shows 120 volts). The second converter, again being plugged into 120 volts, showed 8.4 volts coming out. Per the Progressive Dynamics (PD) tech, it should be putting out 13.6 volts. So I have paid to send both converters back to PD, so they can check them out. I am on my second set of new deep cycle batteries. Also have replaced land line to 30 amp house outlet, twist outlet on fiver this line hooks to, and the 120 volt 20 amp outlet the converter plugs into. Has anyone else experienced similar problems? Is there something(s) I'm missing?
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Apr 05, 2021
    Travel glampers wrote:
    PD tech told me it didn't matter if the battery leads were hooked to the converter or not, to test the voltage going to the batteries. I believe I got 0 volts with the leads unhooked on first converter. And 8.4 volts on the second converter, with the leads hooked up.


    Yes if the battery is ok, but if the battery has a bad cell or something, it can skew the voltage showing at the converter when they are connected.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Apr 05, 2021
    Well it has been a year of bad luck. Hopefully PD has a working replacement on the way soon.
  • Travel_glampers's avatar
    Travel_glampers
    Explorer
    Apr 05, 2021
    PD tech told me it didn't matter if the battery leads were hooked to the converter or not, to test the voltage going to the batteries. I believe I got 0 volts with the leads unhooked on first converter. And 8.4 volts on the second converter, with the leads hooked up.
  • Travel_glampers's avatar
    Travel_glampers
    Explorer
    Apr 05, 2021
    30 amp house outlet is on one breaker and shows 120v. Surge protector shows no problem with polarity. Measured 120 volts at outlet converters plug into. I purchased the first replacement through Amazon. When it showed 0 voltage output I contacted PD. They sent me a replacement, which showed 8.4 volt output. Sent both back to them, to be checked. They should have received them this morning. The batteries are brand new/12 volt. I charged the previous set of new batteries up with separate chargers. They then showed 12+ volts. The current set of new batteries showed 12 volts when installed. I've checked the fuses on the converters and have not found any burnt. We'll see what PD says. Agree these are very highly rated converters.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Apr 05, 2021
    New batteries fail - have them load tested. If 6V CGs are they wired in parallel or series?
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Apr 05, 2021
    Are your batteries good? Did you measure output voltage with the batteries disconnected (as a test)?
  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    Apr 05, 2021
    Travel glampers,

    I have to say that this is most uncommon. I have installed a significant number of PD92XX (new or replacement and PD40XX (panel service replacement) and never had only a single issue that the people managed promptly. It was a defective unit.

    Matt
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Apr 05, 2021
    Check the house 30 amp outlet is 120 volts on a single breaker and the polarity.



    Although it is probably correct if you measured 120 vac in the RV.

    Are you getting these converters on Amazon/eBay or from an authorized dealer like bestconverter.com?
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Apr 05, 2021
    Bench testing with no wires in the DC terminals should see 13.6v at the terminals, as stated. If zero showing then suspect the reverse polarity fuses. 8.x volts indicates an internal fault.

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