SHOULD THE TOP OF MY CONVERTER BOX GET TO HOT TO TOUCH?

Even though mine hasn't been an issue, I'm going to upgrade this winter to a PD replacement converter that fits my WFCO enclosure. The WFCO won't go into bulk charge consistently.

Wiring, even in the best units is pretty shoddy today.

That happened to me 2 or 3 times. Probably lucky it didn't burn the rv up. Took a couple hours and as I mentioned... much better now.

WOW, 2 ugly pictures. The OP already has a Progressive Dynamics converter. I wonder what the issue is...

Electrical wiring in RV's usually leaves a lot to be desired, IOW a toaster on wheels.

I had to rewire/fix mine several times before I finally just replaced the whole thing. It was far easier to replace than I thought it was going to be, and it is so much more efficient. I recommend it.

OP
Have your repair shop check the GFCI also. Usually found in the bathroom. It can look like it has not tripped and functioning.

Smelled wires burning. All fuses ok on converter. GFI working.
KEPT smelling wires burning every time I walked past thru the bathroom area.

I took off the GFI plate and found this!


Burned melting wires.

GFI was not tripped and converter fuse not 'visually' tripped.
But pushing it off and on showed it 'tried' to trip.

Gotta love the less than professional wiring in an RV trying to burn you up at every turn. :(

wnjj wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:
When I smelled wires burning it was my converter.

Even after telling a guest NOT to put her bags up against the side of the bed she did anyway. :R

What this did was block the fan to the converter.
Overheating it and in my case the breaker did 'not' trip all the way and started smoking the wires.

The label right on the converter door says DO NOT BLOCK FAN can cause fire. Here to tell you they are right it does.

First thing I would do is open the converter door and shut off each and every breaker and then turn them all back on. I found these breakers many times do not trip all the way so they look ok but they are NOT.

I think I'd install some kind of stand-off grill to prevent such a thing. Expecting clothes and bags to stay away from a bedside doesn't seem realistic, as evidenced by the issue you had. I doubt someone new will lean down to read the label before turning in for the night.

I tell everyone that enters my RV about where that darn converter is. Because I always let my guests stay in the bedroom and I take the couch. I told this person 3 times not to put her stuff there.

And I rectified the problem.....I no longer take anyone with me in the MH. :W

rockhillmanor wrote:
When I smelled wires burning it was my converter.

Even after telling a guest NOT to put her bags up against the side of the bed she did anyway. :R

What this did was block the fan to the converter.
Overheating it and in my case the breaker did 'not' trip all the way and started smoking the wires.

The label right on the converter door says DO NOT BLOCK FAN can cause fire. Here to tell you they are right it does.

First thing I would do is open the converter door and shut off each and every breaker and then turn them all back on. I found these breakers many times do not trip all the way so they look ok but they are NOT.

I think I'd install some kind of stand-off grill to prevent such a thing. Expecting clothes and bags to stay away from a bedside doesn't seem realistic, as evidenced by the issue you had. I doubt someone new will lean down to read the label before turning in for the night.

In our first motor home built in 1983, the converter shown had an electrical smell about it which was uncomfortable for us. It had NO fan inside it and the unit was installed inside the dinette bench seat as shown. I installed a large computer-style fan inside it a year later. Though the converter had vent holes as seen, circulating the air within and some amount out through the vent holes, did the trick for the remaining 23 years, still doing well when we sold the rig in 2007....worked great and smelled great too.

yep my wife and daughter use this rv more than me ,who knows what they pack. off to the repair shop here in my area we have a great mom pop shop. he.s gonna love this one.

When I smelled wires burning it was my converter.

Even after telling a guest NOT to put her bags up against the side of the bed she did anyway. :R

What this did was block the fan to the converter.
Overheating it and in my case the breaker did 'not' trip all the way and started smoking the wires.

The label right on the converter door says DO NOT BLOCK FAN can cause fire. Here to tell you they are right it does.

First thing I would do is open the converter door and shut off each and every breaker and then turn them all back on. I found these breakers many times do not trip all the way so they look ok but they are NOT.