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Power surges constantly

capriskier
Explorer
Explorer
The power in our fifth wheel seems to constantly change. The lights go from bright to a dimmer color once every few minutes. We experienced this at the past two campgrounds. We have 50 amp service. Is there something wrong with our camper or is this normal?
18 REPLIES 18

ken_burke
Explorer
Explorer
capriskier wrote:
The power in our fifth wheel seems to constantly change. The lights go from bright to a dimmer color once every few minutes. We experienced this at the past two campgrounds. We have 50 amp service. Is there something wrong with our camper or is this normal?


Check the convertor.
2011 Ford F-350 6.7 diesel, Crew Cab, LB, SRW, 4X4, White
Cedar Creek 34SB, 37 feet 5th wheel, Reese 20K Hitch
"So many questions, so little time."

RoyB
Explorer II
Explorer II
Lets us know what your status is of your batteries before you start buying a bunch of things again... I would almost Bet one cell is dry...

Roy Ken
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
2005 Flagstaff 8528RESS

Veebyes
Explorer II
Explorer II
No more converter in ours. Took the cheap & nasty thing out & replaced it with an inverter/charger. All 12V now pulls from the battery. The multi stage charger takes care of the battery. We are now hooked up just like a boat.
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter

2007 Alpenlite 34RLR
2006 Chevy 3500 LT, CC,LB 6.6L Diesel

Ham Radio: VP9KL, IRLP node 7995

Denny___Jami
Explorer
Explorer
pianotuna wrote:
Hi Danny,

Very few RV's have 120 volt lights.


Ours has both, when we are hooked to shore power we use more 120v lighting than 12v.

Denny
2013 F350 SC DRW 6.2 V8 4.30 gears Air Lifts
2003 HitchHiker Premier 35FKTG 215/75/17.5 Goodyear G114 Tires

kart77
Explorer
Explorer
Had the same problem with my camper 5th wheel..
Not once....but twice.......

I replaced the converter the first time, and it worked perfectly......for about a year. Then had the same problem again.......so i replaced the converter again....

My mechanic suggested i use a surge protector.....

I use one now and have not had any more problems....

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/portable-surge-guards-with-lcd-display-50-amp/58465

laknox
Nomad
Nomad
pianotuna wrote:
Hi Danny,

Very few RV's have 120 volt lights.


My Komfort has dual lighting. Thought this was normal. ๐Ÿ™‚

Lyle
2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Crew Cab 4x4 Duramax
B&W OEM Companion & Gooseneck Kit
2017 KZ Durango 1500 D277RLT
1936 John Deere Model A
International Flying Farmers 64 Year Member

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Hi Danny,

Very few RV's have 120 volt lights.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

Denny___Jami
Explorer
Explorer
Maybe we should ask is it the 12V lighting or the 120V lighting.

Denny
2013 F350 SC DRW 6.2 V8 4.30 gears Air Lifts
2003 HitchHiker Premier 35FKTG 215/75/17.5 Goodyear G114 Tires

Scott16
Explorer
Explorer
Verify batteries are good as suggested above. Then check your Converter.
Scott
US Navy Retired IC1(SW)USS Fletcher DD-992

TucsonJim
Explorer II
Explorer II
Mine did the exact same thing. I replaced the converter and it worked perfectly.
2016 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel SRW 4x4
2017 Grand Design Reflection 297RSTS
2013 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel SRW 4x4 (Destroyed by fire - 8/29/16)
2014 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS (Destroyed by fire - 8/29/16)

mudmaker
Explorer
Explorer
Mine did that and I just replaced the converter. Went from 55 amp to 80. Now I have bright lights and a monitor to tell me what the converter is doing too.
Whenever the lights dimmed you could hear the converter making funny noises, kind of a squeal. By all I researched I concluded the converter was on the way out. I hope that is all there is to it. My battery is only a year old but that doesn't mean anything anymore either.
BTW the converter was only three years old too.
Glen and Loretta
Marc, Jake, Kirsten and fur kids Dexter and Bernie
2017 KZ Venom 4114TK Toy Hauler
2015 GMC Acadia
15 Silverado 3500 SRW quad 6.6 Duramax
11 Silverado 3500 SRW quad 6.6 Duramax

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Hi cap,

What make and model is the converter?
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

capriskier
Explorer
Explorer
Mike LeClair wrote:
I would bet that it is your converter. How old is your RV?

Mike


It is a 2011 silverback.

Mike_LeClair
Explorer
Explorer
I would bet that it is your converter. How old is your RV?

Mike
Something Old, Something New
2012 F350 SRW, 6.7l Powerstroke, 3.55's front and rear.
2008 Fleetwood Regal 325RKTS
Mike, Carol and our 4 legged "furry child" Kenzie Shweenie Tod