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Muddydogs's avatar
Muddydogs
Explorer
Sep 19, 2014

Converter running question

When testing my solar set up I went in the trailer to see how the volts and amps looked, right away I could hear the fan on the converter running full out. Solar was topped out at 13.8 volts into the battery's, only thing running on the trailer is the fridge on propane, CO2 detector and what ever else runs to keep it alive. So why is the converter fan running? I assumed it just got hot when more power was running through it or when working to process shore power. Inside trailer temp is 95 degrees.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Sep 20, 2014
    The common opinion is the fan should not be running
    And I agree
    But if the converter fan is wired to the D.C. output side and therefore directly connected to the batteries, it has power
    Since most are thermal controlled, it is running because it's hot in there,
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    Why does a converter manufacturer even DREAM of fitting a 12 volt van when 120vac is the motivation factor? Another case of a manufacturer getting a case of the Extreme Stupids...
  • Muddydogs's avatar
    Muddydogs
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    Fix my post, converter, controller, inverter at least they all do something with power. Least I was close.

    Shore power was disconnected, solar was charging. Converter fan ran from 12 pm until about 6pm, I disconnected the solar about 2pm and left the shore power off until the converter fan stopped running.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Sep 20, 2014
    Hi,

    What make and model of converter. I can say for certain that my PD 40 amp with wizard that the fan does NOT run.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Sep 20, 2014
    The fan could just as easily run off 12V. But I have no idea why it would unless the converter doesn't like something about the power being back-fed into it.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Sep 20, 2014
    ISTR a post recently where the converter fan ran even though the converter's 120 was off?
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    Your first post uses "controller" and "converter" interchanged. If you have no 120V power to the onboard converter, the fan will not be operating.

    Edit: Reread this and it may be that your converter fan is moving. It may be backfed from the 12V system but have never seen this. What model converter do you have?
  • Muddydogs's avatar
    Muddydogs
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2014
    I didn't know what to do with the converter, the trailer wasn't plugged in so I figured the converter would just be setting there. Solar was topped out at 13.8 because I didn't change the setting on the controller so it shut off panel charging at 13.8. I will bump up that setting. Only amp meter I have right now is solar panel amps in I think.
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2014
    If you are playing/checking the new solar, why is the converter even online ? I would think when checking the solar, you would want the converter out of the picture.
    And why is the solar topped out at 13.8,......it should be more like 14.6,.....if the batts are nearing charged. What amperage shows at 13,8 ?
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Sep 19, 2014
    Inside temp is 95 is hot already ( IMO ) so what is it inside the converter's cabinet behind the vent? Is the vent full of dog hair to add to the situation?

    The converter has the voltage up from 12.7 to 13.8 (work shared with solar at 13.8) so it is working even if there are no big draws on at the time.

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