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Electrical issues

mbowie1034
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2013 Cedar Creek 36BHS. Currently camped in Georgetown, KY. Started having issues with the refrigerator blowing no cold air but still running. Then, we had to change sites; started setting up, lowered jacks, extended slides then different functions started shutting down. Now, the frig is still hot, jacks, awning, and slides don't work. Had a tech come out, diagnosed as a converter issue but took converter to CW and tested fine. Something is shutting down the converter right after it's plugged in- any ideas? I've checked all known fuses and no breakers are tripping...thanks!!
11 REPLIES 11

mbowie1034
Explorer
Explorer
I found the problem! The power distribution block I referred to had small, plastic buttons on the hot side that apparently control the other side. Pushed them in and everything come to life- except the refrigerator; think that will be another issue..

1492
Moderator
Moderator

mbowie1034
Explorer
Explorer
Okay, I have 13.3 coming off from the converter; batteries are reading 13.3; cable from battery to Power block is 13.2; post at top of block which leads to control board that has everything listed that's not working is dead. Somehow power is not getting up to the top part of this block. All other posts on this block are live except the two on the that top side. I would post a picture but I couldn't figure out how!

Yes, frig is a house frig that runs just off of D.C. Current.

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Explorer III
Fridge not blowing cold air but running???
DO you have a residential fridge OR an RV electric/propane fridge?


Jacks, awning, slides (possibly fridge if RV type) don;t work.........ALL need DC power

Converter..
When plugged into shore power (or gen)
120V AC input..13.2V DC output
Supplies the DC System PLUS charges/maintains battery

No converter function batteery supplies DC System until it goes dead


Simple voltmeter test......
DC Voltage AT converter with AC power connected (shore power ON and Circuit breaker to converter ON)
13.2V DC output to battery (minimum)


DC Voltage check at battery S/B 13.2V DC (minimum also)

Converter DC output low....replace converter

Got good DC at converter but not at battery..then check for blown fuses in battery POS cable to converter

Hookup portable battery charger and SAVE battery from death by recharging it/maintaining charge until you replace converter
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Explorer II
Without a voltmeter any diagnosis will be just a guess. I would imagine even the least experienced RV tech would know how to at least do basic voltage checks at the converter's input and output. Many of the items you mentioned require heavy current draw and are many times wired directly to your battery which sounds very depleted at this point.

Run down to Wallys or Harbor Freight and pick up a cheap battery charger to get your batteries back up, for a few bucks more grab a voltmeter too. Let batteries charge for awhile hopefully this will restore some DC items, heavier current draw items will require a deeper charge on the batteries to function properly. There are fuses located near the battery, use voltmeter to trace circuit.

K_Charles
Explorer
Explorer
Was it a tech or a parts replacer? The converter should have been checked in the camper, if check OK then no need to remove it.

kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
Explorer
Time for a long afternoon with a voltmeter and a friend to flip breakers.
As was said before check battery voltage, at batteries, nothing running.
If Voltage is 12.5 or higher, then charging should have happened either from the converter or from to vehicle. Try running TV for a half hour or so, with jumpers to your battery preferably. Get the voltage up to 13.4 or more and then check operation of slides awning etc.

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
Nothing in the rig has the ability to shut down the converter at will.
I would trust the tech before I would trust CW to test a converter.

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Did tech verify power to the rig?
Plug into TV and see if 12 volt items work. Start TV!

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

Toddupton
Explorer
Explorer
You could use a better charger for now to get by. What is the output to the battery?

Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
Explorer
Best have electrical person use their meter to diangnose. A number of things are in that circuit.
Jerry Parr
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