Power converter

[Vizago40]

I have a 2016 forest river vibe and i have had problems with the power converter since bought it. I have pulled and checked fuses they are ok and it is putting out 13.6v when isolated, but is not charging batteries. Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

[Vizago40]

Appreciate all the info after some hit and miss ended up disconnecting power converter from dc side and checked out outouts it was reading 13.6 checked incoming battery leads to panel. that read zero come to find out manufacturer had never hooked up the negative to the frame just ran it down and left it hooked up ground and boom fired right up thanks again

[RoyB]

There is also a INLINE FUSE between the 12VDC Power Distribution Panel and the battery terminals... It should be close to the battery... On new trailers this may be a auto resetable in-line circuit breaker..

Please confirm your battery terminals are connected correctly especially if you have had your terminals disconnected recently. They are so easy to hook up wrong since both terminals have the same size terminal unlike what the automotive industry where one terminal is larger than the other one...

Hand trace the the frame ground cable at the battery and make sure it is connected to the NEG Battery terminal. Look for the word NEG or the SYMBOL '-' on the battery case to be sure you are at the negative battery terminal.

Also in loop between the Converter DC OUTPUT (13.6VDC) is two FUSES usually OFF-SET from the other 12VDC fuses. These are the REVERSE POLARITY fuses and they will blow if your battery terminal were installed wrong even for a split second (lots of sparks etc)

If you find your battery installed wrong correct the wiring first before changing out the blown fuses otherwise it will just blow the fuses again...


I am always testing at my battery terminals with my multimeter. They will read 12.6-7VDC if fully charged and without the shore power connected. When you connect up to shore power then the battery terminals should jump up to the 13.6VDC OUTPUT of the converter/charger unit or higher depending what mode your convert/charger starts up in... 14.4VDC is the highest DC voltage I will ever read coming from my converter/charger. I also check my battery fluid levels on a regular basis by removing the battery caps...

The Battery should be checked often as it is sort of the center of operations for you. It is also part of the DOT Safety features of your trailer Electric Brakes in the event the trailer becomes disconnected when being pulled down the public roads. This will immediately stop your run away trailer and is required to have operational by US DOT folks when on public roads. This could effect your trailer Insurance Coverage or even get you a ticket from the DOT folks. Not good traveling with a fully discharged or disconnected battery...

Roy Ken

[newman_fulltime]

Find the battery disconnect switch

[westend]

Vizago40 wrote:
The trailer will run untill battery drains when i pull the battery off with the power converter connected everything shuts off which is why im confused if there is voltage why isnt the trailer running off the converter

This is all you need to do: Connect one hand held meter lead to the (+) post on your battery. Connect the other to the (-) battery terminal. Measure voltage. Now, connect to shore power and measure again. You should measure 13.2 V or more when connected to shore power, at the battery. This means the converter is supplying charge voltage to the battery. Any reading less means converter is not connected or operating to supply a charge.

[2oldman]

What is the voltage when hooked to batteries?

[Vizago40]

The trailer will run untill battery drains when i pull the battery off with the power converter connected everything shuts off which is why im confused if there is voltage why isnt the trailer running off the converter

[westend]

Have you checked for a blown fuse or failed circuit breaker/ bad connection on the wires that lead from the battery? There should be a circuit breaker or fuse within a few feet of the battery on the (+) phase wire that feeds your 12V distribution panel and connects to the converter.

A hand-held meter is a necessary tool for an RV owner. I'd suggest to buy one.

[jerseyjim]

Vibe = travel trailer. You live in it. Did a dealer deliver it and set it up? If so, that dealer can come out and fix (replace) whatever needs replacing. For a 2016, I would think definitely under warranty.

If you drove it out to where you live (towing it with a truck) then I think you have 3 options:
1- Get it hooked up to a truck and take it to the dealer
2- If you KNOW it is the converter, get someone who knows how to use a multi-meter and check things out or,
3- If you KNOW it is the converter, buy another one. Parallax 55 Amp $207 on-line.

Whatever it is....g'luck!

[time2roll]

With 13.6 volts the battery should charge. You must have an open circuit.
Does the RV run on battery power when unplugged?
Voltage at the fuse panel and battery should be virtually the same.

[2oldman]

What is the voltage when hooked to batteries?

[Vizago40]

It is but i live in it and it would cost me more to take it in then to fix myself

[98coachman]

Isn't this unit under warranty?:h Take it back to the dealer.