Power Converter Issue/Questions

If you mixed up wires when connecting the battery, there is a good chance that you blew a reverse polarity fuse from the converter. Some distribution panels have two of these fuses on the front panel with the rest of the fuses and some RV's have the two fuses on the converter, itself.

TYpically, these fuses will be in the 30->40 amp range. If you list model and brand of your converter in this thread, someone may be able to tell you where they are located.

Two 30 amp fuses on the converter itself. They were blown. Put in some 20 amps and they blew pretty quick after the converter itself sounded like its was going to blow. It made a high pitched noise. LoL. I'm trying to attach a photo of the converter itself but I can't log into my account to upload the photo.

Here is a photo of the current one. Its still in the camper. Didn't want to take it out till I got the new one.

No problem. If it is a WFCO converter, not much of a loss as they are not well regarded. Hopefully, you bought a different brand for replacement.

I'd suggest you test continuity from negative battery post to frame. It is easy to second/third guess yourself about the proper battery hook up.

Edit: Saw your picture of the PD 9160. That is a good brand. Is it by any chance still under warranty? Even if not, I'd give PD a call. They may be nice and send you the new replacement charger. Stranger things have happened.

Good luck with the converter, I'm sure a replacement will have you right as rain.

There should be some sort of fused protection for your converter. You are not the first one to connect the battery cables improperly. If you totally discharged your battery, you need to charge it ASAP.

Good luck!
Jerry

Here is the link to the new one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BRFTLC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm new to owning a camper and still am not familiar with the wires. LoL. Well I am now cause I have everything marked. Its only my second full year in this camper and had some help opening it up last year from the previous owner.

I want to be able to fix all of this myself instead of having to call a local RV shop to come out and fix it cause its expensive if they do. I'm not worried about installing it and stuff. Just when I turn the Main Breaker back on if everything is going to work.

I've had a rough few weeks in my personal life and I just want one thing to go right for once.

In case ya missed it I posted the photo of the converter above.

Also forgot the Camper Model.

"2004 Sunnybrook Solanta 3610"
I bought this used. In great condition. However I'm noticing a few lack of care issues from the previous owners.

This camper stays on a seasonal site. Doesn't moved and hasn't moved in like 10 years at least. Dam thing is near perfect. Had to replace a "Heating Tube" in the heater last year but thats really about it.

MFL wrote:
There should be some sort of fused protection for your converter. You are not the first one to connect the battery cables improperly. If you totally discharged your battery, you need to charge it ASAP.

Good luck!
Jerry

That is a good brand converter, and is reverse polarity protected. Like I mentioned, batteries do not like being discharged below 50 percent, and will shorten life if not recharged.

Jerry

I'm charged back up for now and I have it disconnected till I get the new converter. Seems like it took a little beating. I'm gonna keep an eye on it once I get everything back up and running.

Thanks for all the help guys. I feel a little better about this issue.

I suspect the noise you heard was a tone from the converter to warm you that a fuse has been blown... I believe my PD9260C does that...

I added my PD9260C to a WFCO WF8900 series Power Distribution Center so i have REVERSE POLARITY in two locations.... On the WF 8900 Series unit and also another set on the PD 9260C chassis as well...

There probably isn't anything wrong with your converter/charger unit but having a new one doesn't hurt. If you had asked the community here before ordering a new one I imagine all would have said to get the PD9200 series which has the smart mode wizard built-in...

You want these units to do the 14.4V-13.6V-13.2V smart mode voltages when charging your battery. If you only see 13.6VDC being used then the smart mode is bypassed somehow. Maybe you are not using the WIZARD unit that plugs into the PD9160C chassis...

You confirm this by using a multimeter across the battery terminals when charging...

I have this WFCO 8900 series Power distribution Center but do not use the chassis in the bottom compartment. You can see the two REVERSE POLARITY FUSES off to them self on the ATC 12V FUSE Panel. The 120VAC Breaker for this unit which is a WF8945 model is turned off.

Google Image

I use a PD9260C unit stand alone mounted in a different location by itself. It also has three Reverse Polarity fuses on its front panel as shown here...


Google Image

You may also have a in-line blown fuse closer to the battery bank but you did say you was using the batteries after you hooked them up wrong so that says the 12VDC Power Distribution Panel was getting 12V from the battery perhaps???

This is a quick drawing of my converter/charger layout and battery connections.


Roy's image

Hope some of this helps... Everybody does it slightly different...

Roy Ken