Electrical panel

[SallyB]

Question: I have a 2015 Rpod 179, does the circuit/fuse panel have a cooling fan ? I used to hear a whirring fan type noise that seemed to come from it and cycle off and on when hooked up to power - now I hear the same noise but it seems to be struggling to run, and is definitely inconsistent in cycling. Is there a fan there ? If so is it a do-it-myself project to get to it and replace it ? Does it run on a fuse or breaker ? If there isn't a fan, what is that sound ?
Any feedback is appreciated !

Sally

[Broadway Joe]

More then likely what you are hearing is the cooling fan in the converter. This will vary as it supplies 12 vdc to power your Rpod.

[bikendan]

If that fan is running a lot, then #1 reason is a bad battery that the converter is working overtime to try and recharge.

[tinkerreknit]

You should replace the fan. Very cheap and a do- it - yourself project for most. If you detect a difference in noise, or time running, it's a good move. I just did this in my camper - most likely saved me money from a bigger failure.

[myredracer]

Could just be dust buildup too. Take cover off and clean out as needed.

If it's a WFCO converter and you're looking to spend some $$ on something, replace it with a quality Progressive Industries or similar brand. They have just the converter units that slip right into your converter/panel housing. The WFCO converters are known to be poor quality and can actually damage batteries and shorten their life. If it happens to be the fan on your converter isn't working as it should, then I'd go for a PD one. Our WFCO converter only lasted 3 seasons and killed the battery too.

[dward51]

On a 2015 model, unless you have cleaned it of dust, the fan is probably pretty well coated in dust. Pretty easy to do.

Unhook from the 110v AC power and take the negative terminal off the battery (batteries if more than one). You want no power of any type to the converter or breaker bus before you do this. Unscrew the front and it should slide forward giving you access. If it is one of the very common WFCO models, you just take some screws out and the front panel will come off. Then the converter is screwed to a plastic tray that is held in with a couple of screws at the front bottom edge. Once you take them out, the converter will slide forward and you can clean the fan and fins, etc... Just vacuum them with the brush adapter on your vacuum. You should not need to unhook any wires to do this, but if you have a different model that may change.

Here is a photo of mine with the front panel off. See the 2 screws holding in the plastic piece the converter is screwed down to (converter is the silver thing with the fan on the right side at the bottom of the photo). This is a WFCO 55 amp model.

If your fan is bad or the converter fails, Progressive Industries makes a drop in replacement that is much higher quality. Runs a little over $200 for the part if you do the work yourself (a ton of youtube videos on what's involved are out there).

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by bikendan

If that fan is running a lot, then #1 reason is a bad battery that the converter is working overtime to try and recharge.

This is why mine ran much too much. A new battery solved my problem after I used a hydrometer to prove battery failure.

[zs325RES]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

This is why mine ran much too much. I new battery solved my problem after I used a hydrometer to prove battery failure.

That - and if you are running a lot of 12v items. Incandescent light bulbs use a lot of current, and when many are on it can cause the heat the converter needs to be cooled of. I heard this a lot at earlier RV shows when all the lights were on. Not so much now with LED lighting.

[SallyB]

Thanks, your replies have been very helpful - especially dward51, that picture with specific directions was the extra mile ! I'm going to take a look tomorrow and will get back with the results.

Sally

[Joe_GA]

Originally Posted by zs325RES

That - and if you are running a lot of 12v items. Incandescent light bulbs use a lot of current, and when many are on it can cause the heat the converter needs to be cooled of. I heard this a lot at earlier RV shows when all the lights were on. Not so much now with LED lighting.

Yup. The lights in my living area used to be incandescent and pulled 17 to 18 amps on a 20 amp circuit. A switch to LEDs dropped it to just a few amps. I forgot the exact amount.