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Old 03-24-2018, 07:53 AM   #1
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Converter blowing fuses

Need a little help here.
On our usual trip from Wisconsin to florida we stop in tenn for an overnight rest. We get there, plug in, turn tv on, fridge goes to normal power, some lights, fireplace, and the furnace. After while we notice that the fridge is in check mode. Odd. We also noticed that the lights were dim. Shore power was good so I checked the inverter. Sure enough, one of the three fuses were blown. I replaced it and all was good. I never looked at the other fuses.
We get to Florida yesterday afternoon and all was good. Come evening we thought why not start the furnace and sure enough the same thing happened. Same fuse popped again. Middle one. Then I thought I best look at the other two. One was also blown and the other I couldn’t tell. I only had enough fuses to replace 2. I plan on hitting a auto parts store today for more 25 amp fuses.

I know the battery is and was hooked up correctly.

I believe the battery is in good shape. Of course my multi meter is at home.

It only happens when the furnace kicks on. Is the furnace the problem or just the final load to blow the fuse.

Any help appreciated!

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Old 03-24-2018, 08:11 AM   #2
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Please clarify some of your comments. You say you are connected to shore power but that the inverter is blowing fuses. Do you really mean converter?
Sounds like the battery is either dead, has bad connection or turned off. When plugged in the converter supplies much of the 12V power to the RV, however when the demand get high, the battery fills in. Operating slides, jack or furnace will greatly increase demand.
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Old 03-24-2018, 08:13 AM   #3
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Need a little help here.
On our usual trip from Wisconsin to florida we stop in tenn for an overnight rest. We get there, plug in, turn tv on, fridge goes to normal power, some lights, fireplace, and the furnace. After while we notice that the fridge is in check mode. Odd. We also noticed that the lights were dim. Shore power was good so I checked the inverter. Sure enough, one of the three fuses were blown. I replaced it and all was good. I never looked at the other fuses.
We get to Florida yesterday afternoon and all was good. Come evening we thought why not start the furnace and sure enough the same thing happened. Same fuse popped again. Middle one. Then I thought I best look at the other two. One was also blown and the other I couldn’t tell. I only had enough fuses to replace 2. I plan on hitting a auto parts store today for more 25 amp fuses.

I know the battery is and was hooked up correctly.

I believe the battery is in good shape. Of course my multi meter is at home.

It only happens when the furnace kicks on. Is the furnace the problem or just the final load to blow the fuse.

Any help appreciated!

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Generators
Conventional generators have a motor attached to an alternator that produces electricity. The motor must run at a constant speed usually, 3600 rpm to produce the standard frequency of 60 cycle current. If the engine’s rpm fluctuates, so will the frequency of electric output.

Converters
Converters are powered by 120 v AC current and changes it to 12 v DC current. No motor involved. Except cooling fan.


Inverters
A traditional inverter is powered by a 12 volt battery and produces 120v AC at limited wattage. No motor involved. Commonly used in Motor homes and high-end 5th wheels. .


Inverter Generators

These are motor driven 3-phase generators that output AC current like most traditional generators, but that current is then converted to DC, and then “inverted” back to clean AC power and frequency

They are called “inverter generators” but since people tend to simplify terminology, “inverter generator” often gets changed, sometimes to “inverter” and sometimes to “generator” which leads to confusion as which one is being discussed. Both terms are commonly used to refer to inverter generators
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Old 03-24-2018, 08:17 AM   #4
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My apologies. Meant to say converter.
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Old 03-24-2018, 08:27 AM   #5
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I can take the battery to the store and have them check it out too. If I remove the battery will the camper be dead for that time even though I’m still connected to shore power?
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Old 03-24-2018, 08:41 AM   #6
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The converter will provide 12V power to the RV without the battery, but if the 12V demand is high it will blow the fuse again. Since you don't have a meter, turn furnace down so fan is not running and disconnect shore power. Do the lights work? What does you battery level indicator say. Now reconnect shore power what is battery level indicator say. If no lights with shore power disconnected, battery is dead or disconnect switch is off. A photo of the fuses that are blowing ( fuse panel) would also help. If these are the reverse polarity fuses, then 25A seems to be too low. These are usually 30-40A.
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Old 03-24-2018, 08:51 AM   #7
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With shore power disconnected the battery shows good on the control panel. Lights and such work as well. According to the website on the converter manufacturer, the fuses are reverse polarity fuses. This is what baffles me. The battery is connected properly. Black from frame to negative. Red from positive to wherever it goes.
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Old 03-24-2018, 08:58 AM   #8
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Hopefully someone with a similar unit will chime in and check theirs, but for that size unit, 25A for reverse polarity fuses seems very low. Did the original ones ever blow and were replaced with what was on hand? You don't say how old battery is. It could be failing and not able to handle load so demanding more from the converter. If the battery is 4-5 years old, you might have it load tested ( most any automotive or battery store). Just be sure to protect positive battery wire from touching frame. Also try to keep 12V demand low while battery is out.
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Old 03-24-2018, 09:09 AM   #9
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My unit was sent back to the factory for repairs a few years ago. When the transporter installed his battery, he installed it backwards, hence blowing the fuses. When I had figured it out I replaced exactly what was there. I don’t have a book on the converter but I will check their website again. I just can’t remember if I replaced one that was obviously blown or if I even looked at the other two.
I know Thursday night when the problem started, I started the furnace while pushing slides out(hydraulic with cold oil), might have been too much at one time. I’ll get fresh fuses and see what happens.
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Old 03-24-2018, 09:10 AM   #10
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That reverse polarity fuse is for either a battery reversal or a converter connection reversal. Could be a converter interconnect issue.
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Old 03-24-2018, 09:15 AM   #11
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AH! before you get new fuses, I would check to see what should be there. if the transporter blew the fuses by connecting backward, he may have replaced with what he had to operate 12v items. I have never seen 25A reverse polarity fuses used. Propose moving this to the Blueridge section to have someone check theirs.
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Old 03-24-2018, 09:20 AM   #12
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please double check me! I looked at the generic manual for the 9200 series converters and while the reverse polarity fuses are mentioned, I couldn't find a spec for them. later on the on-line faq tab I found where it says the reverse polarity fuses on the front of the converter are 30 amp automotive fuses. but double check to make sure. I have been know to be wrong. I wouldn't want to cause any damage.
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Old 03-24-2018, 09:20 AM   #13
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There are generally 2 reverse polarity fuses, you mentioned 3 fuses. Pictures would really help.
When disconnected from shore power with lights on and starting the furnace, what does the battery monitor and lights do?
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Old 03-24-2018, 09:21 AM   #14
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I just found on the website that they should be 30 amp! That rascal! I will replace with 30’s and hope that is the fix.

Thank you all for your help!
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Old 03-24-2018, 10:11 AM   #15
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Upon further inspection, it calls for 25A. I need to start with 3 fresh fuses and go from there. Click image for larger version

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Old 03-24-2018, 03:00 PM   #16
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What is that device? It doesn't look like a standard RV converter.
Do you have a residential fridge?
An inverter?
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Old 03-24-2018, 03:04 PM   #17
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No resi fridge. This is what came with the camper and we bought it new. Click image for larger version

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Old 03-24-2018, 04:08 PM   #18
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No resi fridge. This is what came with the camper and we bought it new. Attachment 166044
Looks like a quality converter to me.

Assuming nothing has been changed since functioning correctly, I'm thinking a load test on the battery would be a good place to start.
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Old 03-24-2018, 05:30 PM   #19
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Looks like a quality converter to me.

Assuming nothing has been changed since functioning correctly, I'm thinking a load test on the battery would be a good place to start.
X2, This is what I am thinking is the next step. The battery may have shorted internally.

When have you replaced it, or checked the water level in it?
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Old 03-24-2018, 07:44 PM   #20
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Again I may be wrong so double check. Are those 3 25 amp fused in the back the reverse polarity fuses? I thought the reverse polarity fuses are 2 30 amp fuses on the front. It might me nice to know what those three fuses on the back are protecting. That might give a clue to what is going on.
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