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Old 08-18-2017, 07:28 AM   #1
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No interior lights, but a/c units ok & fridge ok

Came home last nite & turned on lights but started flickering & dimming. Finally got to the point of no interior lights from any switch on walls. My a/c units are working & my fridge still working....can anyone help with a solution? I've got a 2016 Forest River Vengeance limited edition toy hauler.
Oddly I'm connected to shore power, & my surge protector isn't showing any issues either? I also chk'd outside power cable connections & no visible probs?
Please help!
My # is 210 569-3514 if someone can better talk me thru. Thanks!
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Old 08-18-2017, 07:34 AM   #2
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Sounds like your converter isn't supplying a 12v output and also isn't charging the battery.
Have you checked fuses?
Do you own and know how to use a multimeter?
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Old 08-18-2017, 07:39 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5picker View Post
Sounds like your converter isn't supplying a 12v output and also isn't charging the battery.
Have you checked fuses?
Do you own and know how to use a multimeter?


I'll chk fuses...don't own multimeter. Where is converter located? Troubleshooting said possible ground issue or wiring? I also chk'd power cable connections from shore power box, but no issues visible. Maybe the shore box itself has issues?
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Old 08-18-2017, 07:57 AM   #4
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I wouldn't think the 'shore box' (I assume power pedestal) has issues or you wouldn't see the 120v things working such as the A/C which you mentioned.

The converter converts 120v (shore power) to 12v to supply things like the interior lights.

I do not know where it is located in your unit but it is something every R/V owner should get familiar with.
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Old 08-18-2017, 08:08 AM   #5
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Sometimes LED lights will flicker when the 12v battery power is low and others
have mentioned your converter might not be charging.

OR it might be a loose connection on the 12v side of your fuse box.
Remember 120v ac items are on circuit breakers.
12v dc items are on fuses.

You need a volt meter to check starting at the 12v terminals in the top of your
fuse box.
Don't mean to alarm you but a loose or weak connection can over heat and cause
a fire. If you smell anything that resembles hot/burning insulation you need to
shut off all power and all devices and disconnect the battery switch if you have one.

Be careful out there!
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Old 08-18-2017, 08:09 AM   #6
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Thanks! Sounding more like converter
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Old 08-18-2017, 08:18 AM   #7
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Also if your fridge is working now on 120v ac it still might stop once
the battery voltage gets too low.
Even tho it's on 120v ac it still requires 12v dc to power it's control board.

Time to get a volt meter and check some voltages....

Also it's possible your slides won't retract. That depends on if your
battery voltage is low or the problem is closer to the fuse box.
Some slides get power right off the battery and a fuse box issue might
cause slide issues or not depending on how you're wired and what
the problem is....
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Old 08-18-2017, 08:18 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Howthorn View Post
Thanks! Sounding more like converter
Or... the output fuses on the converter.

Have you recently unhooked or changed the battery?
There are fuses to protect the converter from the battery being hooked up backwards. The fuses will also blow if the battery(ies) were dead and the converter output to charge it/them, exceeded the fuse capacity.
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Old 08-18-2017, 08:27 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KyDan View Post
Also if your fridge is working now on 120v ac it still might stop once
the battery voltage gets too low.
Even tho it's on 120v ac it still requires 12v dc to power it's control board.

Time to get a volt meter and check some voltages....

Also it's possible your slides won't retract. That depends on if your
battery voltage is low or the problem is closer to the fuse box.
Some slides get power right off the battery and a fuse box issue might
cause slide issues or not depending on how you're wired and what
the problem is....


Thanks but nothing else besides power @ fridge matters til I can rectify. All fuses ok & no breakers tripped. Thanks
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Old 08-18-2017, 08:29 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by 5picker View Post
Or... the output fuses on the converter.



Have you recently unhooked or changed the battery?

There are fuses to protect the converter from the battery being hooked up backwards. The fuses will also blow if the battery(ies) were dead and the converter output to charge it/them, exceeded the fuse capacity.


No haven't messed with batteries, had chk'd less than 2 wks ago & fine. I think it's converter based on current position, but needs Meter to be certain. Thanks!
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Old 08-18-2017, 08:31 AM   #11
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You converter is the rectangular plastic door located near the floor (such as beneath tv or fridge). It has the 120 volt breakers inside it as well as the 12 volt fuses. One of those 120 breakers sends power to the converter to recharge your battery. Be sure that breaker hasn't tripped off.
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Old 08-18-2017, 09:02 AM   #12
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Get yourself a digital multi meter. It will come in handy in the long run! Harbor freight has the lowest costs for one. I love mine I bought for $5.
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Old 08-18-2017, 09:55 AM   #13
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I got one for free with a coupon.
(Actually got 3 over several months. Gave 2 away and kept one in my tool bag.)
Yeah it's super cheap and I wouldn't want it for my main meter but it
does work OK and would be very handy in this situation!
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Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
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Old 08-18-2017, 10:27 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KyDan View Post
I got one for free with a coupon.
(Actually got 3 over several months. Gave 2 away and kept one in my tool bag.)
Yeah it's super cheap and I wouldn't want it for my main meter but it
does work OK and would be very handy in this situation!


Thanks KyDan!
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Old 08-18-2017, 10:35 AM   #15
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Might be super cheap, but super accurate as well!
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Old 08-20-2017, 04:39 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Howthorn View Post
Thanks KyDan!


Was the converter plus 2 drained batteries [emoji17]...oh well, back up & watchin my Dodgers, & then they lose[emoji20], brutal [emoji16]. Thanks KyDan for all your input
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Old 08-20-2017, 04:56 PM   #17
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Suggest you read and digest this:
Attached Files
File Type: pdf The 12 volt Side of Life.pdf (436.4 KB, 19 views)
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