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all4coop's avatar
all4coop
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017

Only getting 8 volts from converter at battery connection

This started with AC compressor not coming on, checked all connections and there is no power going to compressor, compacitor is good but the start boost is not good (got one ordered). While trying to diagnose this problem I noticed the lights were dim. The fresh battery that was put in the camper now only has 6 volts. I checked all fuses at electric box and they are good, I am hooked to shore power (pole barn wired for camper). With the battery out the campers lights are dim and the slides will barely move. If this is my converter could it also be causing the AC compressor to not come on? I hooked a fresh battery to the camper but the AC compressor still will not start. Condenser fan and blower will work though. Thanks
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Sounds like to me you have lost your 120VAC connection at the pole barn... This means the converter/charger is not ON and the battery has run down on you. When a battery goes below 12.0VDC it means you are approximately at 50% charges state. ZERO charge state on a battery is around 10.5VDC...



    I would look first for why the converter/charger is not ON. The converter/charger should put out at least 13.6VDC when it is powered ON.

    AT the pole barn connection you should look for 120AC VOLTAGE readings at the 30A Pedestal receptacle...

    30A

    NOSHOCKZONE Image

    Using a 120VAC Circuit tester at the pole barn connection using a RV30A-15A adapter you should see the bottom two ORANGE LIGHTs for 'CORRECT' being ON telling you all three connections for HOT-NEUTRAL-GROUND are correctly wired.


    Google Image

    I think you have lost your SHORE POWER 120VAC connection feeding the 120VAC Power Distribution Panel...


    Google Image

    If you have good 120VAC feeding the Trailer and your converter/charger is ON then you need to read the DC OUTPUT VOLTAGE at the converter/charger DC OUTPUT connection for 13.6VDC. If all of the connection between the converter/cbarger DC OUTPUT connection are correct then you also see this 13.6VDC on the battery terminals. If you only read the 8VDC at the converter/charger terminals and the battery terminals then the converter/charge is OFF or FAILED. Both the Converter/charger and the battery DC output connections feed the same point on the 12VDC Distribution point. IN this case you are actually reading the 8VDC coming from the drained down battery. Your ceiling lights being dim tells you this as well... If the converter/charger was ON and working then you would see bright ceiling lights and read the 13.6VDC on the battery terminals. Clear as mud - right????

    Let everyone know what you read and they will start responding what is wrong...

    My bets is the converter/charger is not putting out its normal 13.6VDC and since the battery readings is only 8VDC and your interior lights are dim this means your now run down battery is feeding the 12VDC Distribution Panel OK. This means to me the Converter/Charger unit is OFF for whatever reason... Either has NO 120VAC input voltage or a FAILED unit...

    If you have just hooked up your batteries before turning on shore etc you may have also wired the battery terminal in REVERSE and blown the two REVERSE POLARITY fuses. You would have seen sparks at the battery terminal for a second when you hooked it up backwards...

    Roy Ken
  • It could be low or no voltage from shore power.
    Verify shore power with known good appliance. (Drill motor)
  • Check the wiring from the converter to the battery. My bet is you have either a loose positive wire or a loose negative wire. In my case, same thing, my negative wire took about 3 turns on the converter negative terminal strip.

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