I am having an issue with my 2005 Forest River Salem fifth wheel.On our last trip, the 12 volt system started going completely off at times when we would turn of a light or otherwise change the load on the system.The 12 volt system would then stay off for approximately 3 - 5 minutes then start coming back on with the lights starting out dim and then returning to normal.We were hooked up to shore power and I camp with the coach battery disconnected (not charging) and running the 12 volt system off the converter.I had to connect the coach battery to prevent these loss of power episodes.Bad converter ???Any ideas as to possible cause?I have used this camper this way for years (coach battery disconnected while on shore power).Any help appreciated.

There is likely a self-resetting circuit breaker that is failing. It could also be a component on the converter's circuit board or a combination of both. When the converter is powered and the battery connected, the battery provides capacitance in the 12V system. The capacitance allows the converter's output and internal charging circuit to run "smoother". I'd suggest you connect the battery when using the converter and your 12V system. Monitor electrolyte level in the batteries if you have FLA batteries.This battery filler makes maintaining batteries easy.

Thanks for the helpI had read something about the load supplied by the battery.It may have taken this long for it to become an issue with the battery disconnected.Going to try and limp the converter along by using battery connected.:)

either a bad connection somewhereORyes , bad convertercheck the connections between the converter and the batteryclean them and tighten themespecially the Negative ground connectionif that doesn't fix the problem replace the converterBTW FYI most converters are Not designed to be stand alone power suppliesthey are supposed to be connected to the batteryespecially for high current loads, like Jacks and slides

WDE wrote: I camp with the coach battery disconnected (not charging) and running the 12 volt system off the converter.There is absolutely, positively NO reason to do that; none, nada.In fact, it probably means that your batteries are partially discharged most of the time and it's hard on them too.Not having a fairly constant load on the converter/charger might have been hard on it too. It wasn't intended to work that way.And yes I know you've been doing that for a thousand years; still doesn't make it right.

temporary loss of 12volt power when turning off lights.

MrWizard
Moderator
Jul 15, 2016
either a bad connection somewhere
OR
yes , bad converter

check the connections between the converter and the battery
clean them and tighten them
especially the Negative ground connection
if that doesn't fix the problem replace the converter

BTW FYI most converters are Not designed to be stand alone power supplies
they are supposed to be connected to the battery
especially for high current loads, like Jacks and slides
westend
Explorer
Jul 15, 2016
Do you have a hand-held meter?
WDE
Explorer
Jul 15, 2016
Thanks for the help
I had read something about the load supplied by the battery.
It may have taken this long for it to become an issue with the battery disconnected.
Going to try and limp the converter along by using battery connected.
:)
westend
Explorer
Jul 15, 2016
There is likely a self-resetting circuit breaker that is failing. It could also be a component on the converter's circuit board or a combination of both.

When the converter is powered and the battery connected, the battery provides capacitance in the 12V system. The capacitance allows the converter's output and internal charging circuit to run "smoother". I'd suggest you connect the battery when using the converter and your 12V system. Monitor electrolyte level in the batteries if you have FLA batteries.

This battery filler makes maintaining batteries easy.

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temporary loss of 12volt power when turning off lights.

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