Converter

[RayChez]

I have in the bed box this box about 8x8x2 and it says Automatic Transfer Switch. Is this also the converter box that controls the charging rate into a coach?

Is this what is changed out when you can only get 12.5 volts in the coach. My LED lights used to go up higher then that before when I would start the generator. Now I notice they stay at 12.5. Is this normal or is my so called converter shot.

Ray

[AllegroD]

If you determinwe that the converter is bad, contact Randy @ www.BestConverter.com. Randy is smart and easy to worlk with. He can guide you to an adequate replacement for your rig and how you use it.

[RayChez]

I want to thank all of you for information as to possibilities of the problem. I called Xantrex service center and he said on my coach it would have an inverter/charger combination. Everything is regulated through what he called the AC board. So I took the inverter/charger out and ups it to him.

Again thanks, this forum is fantastic

[DSDP_Don]

Ray.....typically trailers, fifth wheels and gas motor homes have just the converter/charger. As the luxury level and battery capacity go up, the coaches typically add a combo unit that inverts, charges and converts.

A lot of these units have exterior circuit breakers and many have both internal and external fuses. Check yours to see if you have a fuse issue.

If yours is bad and you got good service out of it, think about replacing with the same unit to save on wiring and mounting changes.

[wa8yxm]

Also.... If you decide the converter is toast.
Progressive Dynamics makes some rather nice converters..

The 9200 line is "Stand alone" like my 9180 with wizard (Also by them) And these converters are, in my not very humble opinion, the best.. NOTE: there are several models that are "THE BEST" I happen to like these better for personal reasons but even with out that, being totally objective they are among the best (Several where I could not rank any one better than the other).

I believe the 4600 line is electronically the same but PHYSICALLY designed to drop into the space left when you remove the electronics from an integrated panel.

Randy at Best Converters..... your friend if you need a new converter.

[wa8yxm]

Transfer switch does control the flow, sort of, but only of 120 volts it has two inputs and one output.

Inputs are: Shore power, and Generator power.. Depending on the transfer switch it has two or 3 states
1(Optional) OFF
2:(Resting state on mine) SHORE
3: (Generator active) GENERATOR

NOTE: TURN OFF EVERYTHING BEFORE STARTING/STOPPING generator then turn it back on after generator starts (or 3 minutes later if stopping).

Converter: COnverters make 12 volts out of 120 volts (you know that) but they are often part of the power distribution panel, IF this is the case you will have a panel that has both 120 volt breakers and 12 volt fuses behind the same door... (However this type of panel is not a 100% That is where it is).

The second type is a Stand alone (I have one of those) can be mounted anywhere, in my case as far from the batteries as possible (Or the worst possible place to put it, take your pick, both apply).

The third is an in-line Inverter/converter combo unit (got one of those too)

This too is a "Stand alone" unit but usually closer to the batteries.

[Blaster_Man]

It seems to me that if you have a converter, it should be part of the charger, not the inverter. You should not have a converter and an inverter...one or the other, along with a charger.

[RayChez]

Thank you JohnnyT.

So the converter is inside the inverter. That is what I always thought, but I keep reading about RVer's replacing the converter when they have a charging problem with shore power and the generator. Both only charge 12.5 and I believe they used to charge around 14.3

[JohnnyT]

Ray, the converter should be integral to your Inverter. The transfer switch just controls the source of your 120 Volts AC into the coach.

JohnnyT