Fan in fuse panel constantly running...

[Tacswa3]

When hooked to shore power, the fan in the fuse/breaker box immediately comes on and remains on. Is this normal?

[Tachdriver]

It will be on my de-winterization checklist next time!

[Clay_L]

Tachdriver wrote:
Weird phenomenon.

My converter fan last fall started running louder with lower loads. Made me scratch my head.

I took the panel off and there is a screen with millions of holes, I cleaned it up really well and reinstalled.

Now the fan runs slower and less.

True and weird.

Don't know what converter I have....yet.

Give yours a good cleaning.

I found that I had to clean the input and output screen every few years. Pet hair, lint and dust really clogged them up.

[Tachdriver]

Weird phenomenon.

My converter fan last fall started running louder with lower loads. Made me scratch my head.

I took the panel off and there is a screen with millions of holes, I cleaned it up really well and reinstalled.

Now the fan runs slower and less.

True and weird.

Don't know what converter I have....yet.

Give yours a good cleaning.

[westend]

Tacswa3 wrote:

2112 wrote:

Tacswa3 wrote:
Thanks guys... I just went out and unplugged it after 6-7 hours and the fan was not running...

It was not running before or after you unplugged it?

No, the fan stopped running before I unplugged. No telling when it stopped. I went to unplug shore power after several hours and noticed it stopped.

OK. and now you're at the question booth again, "Is my battery fully charged?" or "Is my converter working properly?". Get a meter so you know the state of your 12V system. If you've never used one and are terrified with new things, buy an inexpensive 12V panel mount meter and attach to your battery terminals or get a meter that will plug into the standard 12V cigar lighter outlet.

Without being able to measure voltage, you will be constantly buying tickets for the question booth.

[2112]

Tacswa3 wrote:

2112 wrote:

Tacswa3 wrote:
Thanks guys... I just went out and unplugged it after 6-7 hours and the fan was not running...

It was not running before or after you unplugged it?

No, the fan stopped running before I unplugged. No telling when it stopped. I went to unplug shore power after several hours and noticed it stopped.

Your battery was low.
It's all good.

Preventing from wiping out a battery in 12 months is half the fun of RV ownership 🙂
Enjoy

[Tacswa3]

2112 wrote:

Tacswa3 wrote:
Thanks guys... I just went out and unplugged it after 6-7 hours and the fan was not running...

It was not running before or after you unplugged it?

No, the fan stopped running before I unplugged. No telling when it stopped. I went to unplug shore power after several hours and noticed it stopped.

[dodge_guy]

A fully charged battery should not have the fan run 100% of the time. mine runs on low when I have more than 4 (2 bulb housings) on, my light switch at the door turns on 4 housings. as soon as I switch on the 5th the converter fan runs on low and builds up speed with each additional load. with a new battery it should not run with a small load on it.

As 2112 stated, I have a small solar trickle charger I use for when the trailer is in storage.

[2112]

Tacswa3 wrote:
Thanks guys... I just went out and unplugged it after 6-7 hours and the fan was not running...

It was not running before or after you unplugged it?

If not running while plugged it >> All good, battery finally took a full charge.
If not running after unplugged >> It wouldn't run when unplugged.

If it's plugged in for day's and the fan is still running on high there may be a temperature sensor failure.

FWIW, mine is load dependent. Light DC load, no fan. The fan speed increases when load increases and decreases when load decreases.

TIP: When storing unplugged for more than a day either turn off the battery connection or remove it and place on maintenance charge. The parasitic loads of the camper (CO detector, radio clock, etc) will kill a battery.

Enjoy and Happy Camping

[Shadow_Catcher]

WFCO and other China made converters fans I have heard seem to run continuously, the fan on my Progressive Dynamics only very occasionally. I think this is a sign they are malfunctioning, or installed with not enough ventilation.
I have seen discussions that many/most WFCO converters never worked correctly i.e. not going into boost or coming out of it.

[Shadow_Catcher]

Delete

[Shadow_Catcher]

WFCO converters fans I have heard seem to run continuously, the fan on my Progressive Dynamics only very occasionally. I think this is a sign they are malfunctioning, or installed with not enough ventilation.
I have seen discussions that many/most WFCO converters never worked correctly i.e. not going into boost or coming out of it.

[westend]

Tacswa3 wrote:
Thanks guys. The TT is brand new and I've plugged it in here and there at home for the past week. Today its had the opportunity to be plugged in the longest its ever been (at least since I've had it). I just went out and unplugged it after 6-7 hours and the fan was not running. Does that mean the inverter finished charging the battery?

I've been meaning to disconnect the battery and put a trickle charge on it. Its brand new, but that doesn't mean anything.

If the converter had the fan running when first powered, it was probably in "bulk" charging mode. I would guess that the battery is 90-95% charged after 6 hrs.

Disconnecting the battery and putting a trickle charger on it is some great advice you're giving yourself.

Do your self a favor and get a hand-held meter. They can be had for anywhere from $5 -> $60 with all the bells and whistles. With a meter you'll take all of the guessing out of your battery health situation. It will also be real handy for diagnosing any issues in the future.

[TucsonJim]

If you have a light load on it, the fan may not even run. For example, if the batteries are charged and you only have a light or two on, you won't hear the fan kick on. But with a large load of charging or many lights, mine always cycles on to keep the converter cool.

BTW:

Converter = Converts 120VAC to 12VDC so you can run your 12 volt system and charge the batteries.

Inverter = An inverter changes 12VDC from the batteries into 120VAC so you can run 120V items such as a TV.

[Old-Biscuit]

Tacswa3 wrote:
Thanks guys. The TT is brand new and I've plugged it in here and there at home for the past week. Today its had the opportunity to be plugged in the longest its ever been (at least since I've had it). I just went out and unplugged it after 6-7 hours and the fan was not running. Does that mean the inverter finished charging the battery?

I've been meaning to disconnect the battery and put a trickle charge on it. Its brand new, but that doesn't mean anything.

When plugged into shore power the 'converter' will supply the 12V DC and charge the battery.

The fan runs to cool off converter due to heat produced....especially when charging battery
Only need to 'trickle charge battery if you are going to be unplugged for extended period.........several weeks.

Check the battery voltage and check water levels in battery.