Electrical Problem help

Artum Snowbird wrote:
Is this a plug in that was used before, or is it a brand new plug in location? Usually what happens in a new location is someone does not understand RV plug in wiring, and puts 240 volts onto the receptacle. Then, she blows up and takes out lots of problems.

X2 - happened to us. Mr Sparky electrician wasn't listening or paying attention. Bottom line, Mr. Sparky bought us a new converter and cost of installation, no argument, and replaced the installation at our house with the correct wiring.

firemedic08 wrote:
My thoughts are the inverter/charger has went bad.

Based on your description of what they say happened I'd say there is absolutly nothing wrong with your thinker. However it might not be that bad. But.. Odds are it is.

First: You shoudl have a couple of BIG fuses, if the converter (not sure without googling) is built into the power distribution panel they will likely be 30 anp DC fuses and on the right end of the line of fuses.. Of course likely does not mean WILL BE

If they are not the problem replace GUTS of converter with Progressive Dynamics Intella-pwer 4600 series

If it's a stand along box the fuses will be in the converter itself,, Same advice save the PD Intella-power 9200 for replacement.

One final note: If it is fuses. and if there are 2 or 3, they must ALL be replaced at the same time, UNPLUG or Disconnect to replace.


Why do I think it's not just the fuse? Smoke
The Joke is: Electronic devices run on magic smoke, We know this because if you let the magic smoke out they stop working.

Sadly.. it is not entierly a joke. They usually do not work well if you smoke them.

firemedic08 wrote:
Well she just shined more light on it. Her husband plugged it in to an outlet in the garage that used to be 220, for a welder. Im thinking its still 220, and it fried the inverter.

There is a 99.9999% chance that is what happened. They need to test EVERY 120v appliance/outlet in the RV, including the converter/charger.

firemedic08 wrote:
Well she just shined more light on it. Her husband plugged it in to an outlet in the garage that used to be 220, for a welder. Im thinking its still 220, and it fried the inverter.

Yes you will be lucky if that is all that was damaged.

As long as you are replacing the converter get a quality 3 stage unit.
http://www.bestconverter.com/Boondocker-Main-Board-Assembly-for-WFCO-8955_c_196.html

If you have a portable battery charger get it right on the battery and let it rip. Battery will be shot if left another day at such low voltage.

Then plug into an actual 120 volt outlet and see what works.
A/C probably fine as I presume was off.
Microwave is suspect as parts like the clock never turn off.
Fridge and water heater electric elements should be verified working.
12 volt lights and pump are probably fine.

And it would not be too soon to install permanent protection from over voltage, under voltage, bad polarity, open ground and some surge protection:
http://www.progressiveindustries.net/hardwired-surge-protectors

firemedic08 wrote:
Well she just shined more light on it. Her husband plugged it in to an outlet in the garage that used to be 220, for a welder. Im thinking its still 220, and it fried the inverter.

That would be my guess, too. Time to get out the old voltmeter and find out the truth, eh?

Well she just shined more light on it. Her husband plugged it in to an outlet in the garage that used to be 220, for a welder. Im thinking its still 220, and it fried the inverter.

To me smoke and pops mean trouble that will need to be repaired by a professional. Did your friends check the line before plugging in like you should do at an RV park, or because they were at home....

If she is plugging into a typical 15 amp garage receptacle, ask how much extension cord is being used and what was powered on when the magic smoke appeared.
If she had an electric water heater powered, the AC on or any combination of high draw appliances, the draw total may have been too much for the trailer.

At that point, the converter trying to charge depleted batteries is seeing a voltage sag but an amperage spike. First diagnostic test for a situation like that would be to measure voltage at the battery while 120V is available. If 13V+ is not present, there may be a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuses on the converter.

My experience is that once magic smoke has been observed, there is a loss of either wiring or a device. Sometimes, a guy gets lucky and a tripped breaker or blown fuse saves your bacon.

Where was the source of the pop and smoke, as best as they could tell? Presumably whatever it was that popped and smoked is what died.

I would tend to guess that the converter bit the dust. It could be because of a miswired outlet, though that mostly occurs only with 30A RV outlets. If they're plugging into a plain 15A outlet (a standard household outlet), it's very unlikely it was miswired. Likewise, 50A RV outlets are the same as 50A electric range outlets so electricians usually don't get them messed up. 30A RV outlets look a little bit like older 240V 30A dryer outlets, and that's where the confusion and problems come in.

The converter could also have died of other causes besides too high of an input voltage.

She says it is one they have used before to prepare for trips.