Electrical converter issue

Question

We wen tramping this weekend and while there the lights started getting dimmer and the converter inside trailer started humming.  First noticed the battery not charging so we put battery on a charger so we could have lights and run the fridge on propane.  We turned off the breakers on the converter and then pulled the converter part out it was very hot and the little computer fan started but only ran for a few seconds.  I turned the breakers back on and the A/C unit would start the compressor but the fan would not start all the while lights dimming.  we also changed power poles to make sure we were not under powered.  we slept with windows open last night and left battery charger on all night.  When we took the charger off this morning battery died quickly I would assume battery dead.  Question is will dead battery make the inverter not work?

artum_snowbird · Answer

I had the same thing happen to me. The converter was working hard, and the battery was not charging. After three or four days, the battery was almost dead, down to one idiot light.

I measured the output of the converter at the output terminals and it was 13.7, but at the battery the voltage was under 12.0. I began wiggling wires feeding from the converter to the battery, and suddenly all the inside lights came on bright. Aha, it was a loose negative wire from the converter to the battery.

Start there, then check all your main battery posts and the wires from the battery to the converter. You might be lucky like I was and find the problem.

If you have a laser gun thermometer checker, use it to check the connection points. A weak connection will make a lot of heat compared to a solid one.

Good luck.

westend · Answer

I'm thinking your question would be, "Does a dead battery effect the output of the converter?"

Typically, a converter will output the most power when a battery is discharged. In that event, with shore power connected, the converter should be able to supply 12 V to run lights, pumps, fans, etc.

You are really only guessing at all this until you have a meter in hand to measure actual power. If you can't power the lights with just the battery connected, the battery is dead or the circuit breaker between battery and distribution panel is open.

My suggestion would be to leave the converter off and use the charger 24/7 charging the battery, while also providing 12 V power for lights, fans, the A/C, etc.

2oldman · Answer

johnwenn wrote:  Question is will dead battery make the inverter not work?Correct, inverters need at least 10.5 volts.

crazy_ray · Answer

John, do a GOOGLE on 12volt side of life, READ  and LEARN

lynnmor · Answer

You should always have a volt meter, campgrounds often have low voltage. Never try to operate at less than 105 volts.

Any chance that the battery is connected backwards? Negative wire goes to ground.

Did the battery get hot? An internal short is a possibility.

You should have a volt meter to check the output voltage of the converter.

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Electrical converter issue

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