Last time I turned on the lights in my Starcraft trailer all the lights exploded. I'm connectted to shore power (120V). Checking all the DC output ports with a voltmeter shows that they are getting 99 volts instead of 13.5.I see many posts online about converters putting out low voltage, but none about high voltage. Has anyone else ever heard of this? Does this mean my converter needs to be replaced? Any other ideas?Thanks!!

Are you sure that is 120v and not 240v by accident? If so don't turn on the microwave or anything else 120v.

Start with the basics.SAFETY FIRST wear glovesGet a hand held multimeterMeasure anything and everything on both scales AC and then DCAre the batteries destroyed? No? But yet you blew out a 12 volt serviceThe problem may be localThe shorting of a DC circuit with AC power. A cross-overISOLATE this is critical. Pull the shore power plug and turn off the inverterThe lights are blown let's start thereAccess a blown 12 volt light bulb baseUsing OHMS CONTINUITY on the meter measure resistance between line voltage at a plug-in electrical receptacle and the 2 base positive and negative light bulb contacts. Remember to measure neutral.This is just a beginning of a troubleshooting format. It continues but this is a good start.Remember this is done when shore power and inverter is DISCONNECTED.

Thanks for the quick replies.I've disconnected the negative connections to the battery, and still get this.Is a battery required? I think the battery is bad. Its definitely not 220V.

bltierney wrote:I've disconnected the negative connections to the battery, and still get this..What about the converter?

strange converter issue: too many volts DC | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

donn0128
Explorer II
May 18, 2018
I would be willing to bet your getting AC thru the converter. Check the 99 volts on the AC scale first. If so, your converter is bad.
2oldman
Explorer II
May 18, 2018
bltierney wrote:
I've disconnected the negative connections to the battery, and still get this..
What about the converter?
bltierney
Explorer
May 18, 2018
Thanks for the quick replies.

I've disconnected the negative connections to the battery, and still get this.
Is a battery required? I think the battery is bad.

Its definitely not 220V.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
May 18, 2018
Start with the basics.SAFETY FIRST wear gloves
Get a hand held multimeter
Measure anything and everything on both scales AC and then DC
Are the batteries destroyed? No? But yet you blew out a 12 volt service
The problem may be local
The shorting of a DC circuit with AC power. A cross-over
ISOLATE this is critical. Pull the shore power plug and turn off the inverter
The lights are blown let's start there
Access a blown 12 volt light bulb base
Using OHMS CONTINUITY on the meter measure resistance between line voltage at a plug-in electrical receptacle and the 2 base positive and negative light bulb contacts. Remember to measure neutral.

This is just a beginning of a troubleshooting format. It continues but this is a good start.

Remember this is done when shore power and inverter is DISCONNECTED.
BFL13
Explorer II
May 18, 2018
Are you sure that is 120v and not 240v by accident? If so don't turn on the microwave or anything else 120v.
Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
May 18, 2018
Your batteries may be bad too.

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strange converter issue: too many volts DC

16 Replies

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