Converter

2oldman wrote:

Randy53 wrote:
when I am unplugged and the generator is off, I still have 120V at the outlets with the converter switch off and the battery disconnect turned off. Should this be?

If the battery disconnect is OFF, that means the battery is connected.

Yes it does, if you happen to be British (or the Rig is)

We here in the US tend to use terms backwards. Just so you know.

For example: Here when one "Engages the clutch" the shaft turns freely (That is De-Clutching in ENgland)

When you ENGAGE the clutch (Clutch the plates) the shaft should be operating under power.

I hope you understand what most folks are saying, l've been in the business a long time and the ON-OFF thing is just silly symantics. Look at your batteries and disconnect switch. If the positive terminal has more than one wire connected to it, the odds are only the largest size wire goes to the disconnect. At the time your coach was built, most inverters were located inside the house and not in an outside storage cabinet. You'll most likely find a device with fairly heavy cables from the battery and then to the 120VAC distribution panel. That should be your converter, use your DMM to check voltage in and voltage out to make sure.

If you don't have a DMM,it would be a good idea to get one. Look up "The 12 volt side or life " . You'll learn a lot there.

If you are experiencing a problem with your batteries draining, you can install a disconnect on the battery side of the inverter.

A 12V disconnect should do exactly that, it is a safety issue and prevents parasitic draws when in storage. I just replaced a 12V disconnect switch that failed in our trailer.

CA Traveler wrote:

BUT? how does any of this address the OP question?

It addresses the confusion in this thread - The OPs power had to come from somewhere and since the gen was off and no shore power then the battery and inverter is a logical conclusion for the source of power regardless on what the label says.

Of course the switch could be defective...

Of course it came from the battery.That,s a given.He said his 12 V power switch was off? I take this to be to shut off the 12V supply to interior lites fridge etc.That does not disconnect the Batterys from the Inverter.If it did he would not have 120V he claims to have given his post indicating he has no SP and No gen set conditions. Now if he actually has a Battery to inverter power shut off and its switched off then for sure this switch has failed.

BUT? how does any of this address the OP question?

It addresses the confusion in this thread - The OPs power had to come from somewhere and since the gen was off and no shore power then the battery and inverter is a logical conclusion for the source of power regardless on what the label says.

Of course the switch could be defective...

CA Traveler wrote:

2oldman wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Nomenclature........Off really ON or OFF is OFF????

I was being a bit flippant, but...

If a switch is labeled "Connect battery", then if you switch it "ON" that should connect the battery.

If it's labeled "Disconnect battery", if that's "ON" then battery is disconnected. Makes sense to me!

My inverter bypasses the disconnect switch as installed by Monaco and it would be a mess to change.

So I added a disconnect switch right on the battery post.

So is the Monaco battery disconnect switch really a battery disconnect switch? It must be so because the label says "Battery Disconnect" :h

And is my switch a battery disconnect switch since it has no label? :h

BUT? how does any of this address the OP question?

2oldman wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Nomenclature........Off really ON or OFF is OFF????

I was being a bit flippant, but...

If a switch is labeled "Connect battery", then if you switch it "ON" that should connect the battery.

If it's labeled "Disconnect battery", if that's "ON" then battery is disconnected. Makes sense to me!

My inverter bypasses the disconnect switch as installed by Monaco and it would be a mess to change.

So I added a disconnect switch right on the battery post.

So is the Monaco battery disconnect switch really a battery disconnect switch? It must be so because the label says "Battery Disconnect" :h

And is my switch a battery disconnect switch since it has no label? :h

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Nomenclature........Off really ON or OFF is OFF????

I was being a bit flippant, but...

If a switch is labeled "Connect battery", then if you switch it "ON" that should connect the battery.

If it's labeled "Disconnect battery", if that's "ON" then battery is disconnected. Makes sense to me!

Randy53 wrote:
I have a question regarding my converter operation. I have a 1992 Country Coach Magna and love it. My question is regarding the 120V outlets. When I am plugged in (50A) I have 120V power and everything is OK. When I unplug and run my generator, I have 120V power no problem. However, when I am unplugged and the generator is off, I still have 120V at the outlets with the converter switch off and the battery disconnect turned off. Should this be?

Your Converter section could be off But your inverter is still on
The 12V disconnect has nothing to do with the battery invertion system so Yes it will work as U have discribed

As suggested you probably have an inverter.

Questions.....
What switch is off on xxverter (be it converter or inverter)?

And with battery disconnect switch off then neither should work (charge or take power from battery) so if you have 120V AC power at outlets then suspect battery disconnect switch is not turning off or inverter is bypassing the battery disconnect switch.


On Edit: Because of 2oldman's post
Nomenclature........Off really ON or OFF is OFF????

My disconnect switch is labeled OFF to disconnect battery and ON to place battery in service.
Can't anything be 'standard' when it comes to RVs :B