Inverter not working

Lenna · 07-19-2011, 09:40 AM

We are leaving for a 4 day camping trip, while getting packed and ready we realized the inverter is not working. We have no time to get it replaced, my question is since we will be at a state park with power can the inverter be bypassed easily? Thanks for anyones help and knowledge.

The_Stuff · 07-19-2011, 09:52 AM

get a battery charger for deep cell batteries that has a "float" option. that float is to have it not over charge the battery.

MtnGuy · 07-19-2011, 10:05 AM

The on-board power center includes a converter which takes 120 volts and converts it to 12 volts for certain appliances.....fridge (on gas), water heater (on gas), lights, water pump, furnace, slide, and maybe a few other items.

What exactly is not working ??

Boyd · 07-19-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lenna

We are leaving for a 4 day camping trip, while getting packed and ready we realized the inverter is not working. We have no time to get it replaced, my question is since we will be at a state park with power can the inverter be bypassed easily? Thanks for anyones help and knowledge.

Lenna, Are you refering to an add-on inverter that powers small electrical devices (computer/radio/phone charger) or the converter that comes as original equipment in your RV powering 12 volt lights and outlets, and also 120 AC appliances?

Lenna · 07-19-2011, 10:23 AM

I meant converter (original equipment)does not work, however the 12V in the camper does work directly from the battery, the 110 does not work, I wanted to bypass converter to make A/C work.

MtnGuy · 07-19-2011, 10:35 AM

1st, make sure you have power to the camper. The house GFI or breaker might have tripped.

2nd, make sure the main breaker and all of the 120 volt sub-breakers are on. Flip them all off and on forcefully......sometimes they look good, but have actually been tripped.

If that doesn't work, post here again and others will give you ideas.

Lenna · 07-19-2011, 11:14 AM

Thanks you guys, I am posting this for my husband. @mtnguy he is out on a job right now, we will try that. If that doesn't work I'll get back on here. This is a great site and so many helpful people.

Lenna · 07-19-2011, 12:07 PM

I couldn't wait until hubby came home. Outlet that trailer is plugged into works, main breaker and all subsequent breakers are on. Microwave will come on and all outlet plugs work ( I plugged a alarm clock into them). Fridge and A/C will not come on. Battery is unplugged so I couldn't check the lights. I know there must be some way to bypass the converter, I hope someone has an answer. Thanks in advance.

MtnGuy · 07-19-2011, 12:12 PM

The fridge will not work without 12 volts, so the battery will need to be reconnected, even if you are trying to get it to run on propane.

I am not sure, but I think the AC thermostat needs 12 volts to work also. Connecting the battery may solve all of your problems.

The_Stuff · 07-19-2011, 01:44 PM

is it 50 or 30 amp service? 30 has 3 big prongs and 50 has 4 big prongs on the plugin to the hookups. if its 50, maybe one "leg" of the plugin isnt making connection and is the reason the AC wont go?

Lenna · 07-19-2011, 01:49 PM

Thank everyone for all the suggestions. I have been doing alot of reading. I was not very educated on rv electrical systems, as you could probably tell by me calling it an inverter LOL. My main question now is can/will we be able to use 120v without a converter if the batteries are fully charged for any 12 needs or could we cause more problems?
Thanks.

MtnGuy · 07-19-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Stuff

is it 50 or 30 amp service? 30 has 3 big prongs and 50 has 4 big prongs on the plugin to the hookups. if its 50, maybe one "leg" of the plugin isnt making connection and is the reason the AC wont go?

Good thinking !!

Leena, what camper do you have ??

Lenna · 07-19-2011, 02:12 PM

We have a 2006 Rockwood 26FT with one slide.

MtnGuy · 07-19-2011, 02:30 PM

I could not find a 26FT for 2006.

Does the cord that plugs into the camper have 4 prongs or 3 prongs ???

Lenna · 07-19-2011, 02:34 PM

it is a 3 prong

MtnGuy · 07-19-2011, 02:47 PM

The you have 30 amp service, and wouldn't be having the issue that The Stuff referred to.

hobbsabc · 07-20-2011, 03:45 PM

our refigerator is working off the battery butthe trailer is pluged in to 110 and it is not keeping the battery charged if you disconect battery the fride quits

Boyd · 07-20-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbsabc

our refigerator is working off the battery butthe trailer is pluged in to 110 and it is not keeping the battery charged if you disconect battery the fride quits

In my rig if I unplug shore power the fridge will shut down unless I have it programed (Push the correct button) to switch to propane automatically.

Do you have propane in your tanks?

Check the voltage of your battery with the inverter off, (Unpluged) just to make sure you don't have a dead battery.

Lenna · 07-20-2011, 04:34 PM

I would like to thank everyone for their replies. My husband found a fuse under the front of the camper that was blown (that was causing the DC problem). We now have 110 power and 12V power but the converter is bad, so the batteries wont charge. We will be taking a battery charger with us. We have owned this camper(2006 Rockwood RLT2603) since 3/08(purchased new) and this will be the 3rd converter. Anyone else have these problems?

The_Stuff · 07-20-2011, 06:18 PM

if its a 3rd id have the wiring inspected... something is slowly burning out the converters.

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