converter

[lee2112]

l like a little help if possible.
My converter does not seem to be working properly. I noticed it not running so I look at circuit breakers but it wasn't tripped. So, I shut it off and then back on again. The fan would run for 3-4 seconds and then shut off again.
Do I need to replace the whole converter or just the main board?
Thanks

[spike99]

skipnchar wrote:
I'd TEST the converter before replacing or repairing a converter that may be working just fine. They're easy to test.
With the RV plugged into 120 volt AC power, you need to disconnect the negative lead from the battery(s). Now you can measure the voltage across the positive and negative leads AT the converter. should read normal voltage which is ugually 13.XX volts. If it has zero voltage, your converter is bad and needs to be repaired or replaced. If you do NOT first disconnect your battery, when you read voltage you will be reading the batteries voltage, not necessarily the voltage of the converter.

Normally your fan on the converter only runs when it needs cooling so it's not running is not an indication of a bad converter by itself.

Good luck / Skip

Agree. Great info...

[RoyB]

get one these digital voltmers from LOWES-WALMART-Any number of auto parts store - even harbor freight or northern tools... They cost $10-$20 and some store was giving them away at one time.



Every RV'er should have one of these in their RV TOOL box...

Like stated above measure across the battery terminals and if the battery is fully charged it will read 12.6-7VDC... A totally failed battery will read less than 10.5VDC. If you connect your converter/charger to shore power then the DC voltage on the RV Battery should jump up to 13.6VDC telling you the charger is working...

If you don't see the 13.6VDC then you need to start looking for DC voltage coming off the converter terminals. Perhaps a cell has gone bad in the battery and has blown an in-line fuse close to the battery terminals. Another possible problem is the battery terminals on the battery have been installed in REVERSE POLARITY order which also will blow the in-line fuse as well as two large fuses on the DC Power Distribution panel Labeled REVERSE POLARITY. Sometimes these fuses are located on the converter/charger unit.

If the converter assy is not putting out 13.6VDC at its DC OUT terminals and the shoe power is connected then it is possible the converter/charge assy is bad...

Just my thoughts
Roy Ken

[skipnchar]

I'd TEST the converter before replacing or repairing a converter that may be working just fine. They're easy to test.
With the RV plugged into 120 volt AC power, you need to disconnect the negative lead from the battery(s). Now you can measure the voltage across the positive and negative leads AT the converter. should read normal voltage which is ugually 13.XX volts. If it has zero voltage, your converter is bad and needs to be repaired or replaced. If you do NOT first disconnect your battery, when you read voltage you will be reading the batteries voltage, not necessarily the voltage of the converter.

Normally your fan on the converter only runs when it needs cooling so it's not running is not an indication of a bad converter by itself.

Good luck / Skip

[beemerphile1]

In most/many converters the fan is thermostatically controlled and only runs when it needs to cool the electronics. Hearing or not hearing the fan indicates nothing.

Tell us exactly what converter you have and what the voltage is of the output.

[mbopp]

Have you measured the voltage at the battery with a digital meter to confirm the converter isn't working?
Yes you can replace the converter board but if it's bad then it's a good time to upgrade the converter.