converter bad

[coljhoss]

1995 bounder class a.the only thing that works is 12 volt lights.plugged into shore power.the converter is behind fuse box.i believe it is bad. can i bypass converter by running hot wire that goes into back of converter strait to main fuse.i believe generator battery and 120 go into converter and 1 wire comes out front of converter to main fuse 30 amp.i realize i wont be able to use generater, but will this work untill i can get new converter.thanks jess

[wa8yxm]

You said: THe only thing that works is the 12 volt lights when plugged into shore power.

Well.. Though there are exceptions.. One I know for sure is the Magnetek 6300, On most RVs this would indicate the converter *IS* working.

On the 6300 however there is a relay and perhaps a fuse that is NOT working.

On most all RV's there is a fuse or circuit breaker in the battery lead, either near the battery, the Battery control center, or the converter,, This too may have either Operated (Fuses, operated = blown) or malfunctioned (Breakers).

[TinyoneRV]

If you have 12volt power when plugged into shore power then your converter is working. It is, after all, the device that converts your shore power to 12volts. Possible problems are the battery charger portion of the converter being bad, the batteries being bad, or a bad connection between the batteries and the converter.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

It could also be that the reverse polarity fuses have blown.

[ksg5000]

Need more info. Is your problem limited to DC (lights and other stuff operating off of batteries) or does it include microwave and other stuff that operates off of AC?

Assuming the problem is DC only and the lights etc only work when your connected to shore power there are two likely problems 1) dead coach battery or 2) defective auto reset circuit breaker or battery fuse (usually located near battery). Depending on how your rig is wires I suppose it's also possible that your battery disconnect switch needs toggling or needs replacing.

[sch911]

If the 12V lights work only when plugged into shore power your converter is working. To me it sounds like you have a dead battery.

[Artum_Snowbird]

Hi Jess,

Your converter produces the battery charging that charges your battery when you are plugged in.

If the lights get brighter when you have the engine shut off, and you plug in to shore power your converter is working.

If the lights get brighter when you run the engine, then the 12 volt power from the alternator is working.

If the lights get brighter when the generator runs, the generator produces 120 volt power that then is sent to the converter, and that proves the converter is working, and the generator.

I hope this helps.