Converter

[lme8200]

We have a 2015 3170DS, only had it for about a month and a half. Replaced the converter about a week ago. It had a WFCO 55 amp converter and that is what we replaced it with. Since then the converter breaker has tripped at least 3 times. Any ideas what might be causing it to trip? I was surprised it was a 55 amp converter and not 35 since our camper is only a 30 amp. Is this normal?

[5picker]

The converter amperage is the charging amperage for the 12v side of things, it has nothing to do with your shore power amperage.

Do you have a battery installed?
Is it good?

When the breaker trips are you using any high 12v current draws? (slides/jacks/etc.)

Have you checked the 120v breaker for the converter?
It may be weak.

[lme8200]

Originally Posted by 5picker

The converter amperage is the charging amperage for the 12v side of things, it has nothing to do with your shore power amperage.

Do you have a battery installed?
Is it good?

When the breaker trips are you using any high 12v current draws? (slides/jacks/etc.)

Have you checked the 120v breaker for the converter?
It may be weak.

We have two batteries installed. One was new, other might be original. Possible that one isn't good. Not exactly sure when it trips, we just see that it is or notice that it isn't changing. We have been camping/traveling since June 8th, replaced the converter around the 15th. Since it is somewhat infrequent I would think it is something we don't use/do often. Yesterday we used the generator a bit and we have only used that a couple times. Could it have something to do with that.

[5picker]

Keep in mind if you have the two batteries hooked together in parallel, the 12v system will only ever be as good as the worst battery. The bad battery will draw the good one down.

I hope you have good luck finding the culprit.

[Iwannacamp]

I am going with you got a wire pinched somewhere... FWIW

and get that 4 YO battery out of there.... a bad battery will overheat/burn-up a good converter.

[lme8200]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Keep in mind if you have the two batteries hooked together in parallel, the 12v system will only ever be as good as the worst battery. The bad battery will draw the good one down.

I hope you have good luck finding the culprit.

Thanks, maybe we will just use the new one for a bit and see if that makes a difference.

[lme8200]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

I am going with you got a wire pinched somewhere... FWIW

and get that 4 YO battery out of there.... a bad battery will overheat/burn-up a good converter.

Ok definitely will take it out

[Flybob]

Yes get rid of old battery. Then carefully watch the new one. Paralleling and and and new battery can result in damaging the new one.

[myredracer]

WFCO converters are referred to by many as "junk" because they don't correctly charge a battery(s). Ours failed in only the 3rd season from new. It had tripped the breaker and I could smell overheating wiring in the converter. The battery also killed the battery and was dead flat.

Had to replace both while away on a long road trip, hundreds of miles from home. Got Randy at bestconverter.com to ship a new Progressive Dynamics to the next CG on our route. Until that arrived, we bought a new battery at a nearby NAPA and kept it going with a trickle charger. Took the opportunity to get an AGM battery which I ended up relocating inside.

Best thing you can do is get rid of the WFCO and be worry free. You could get a voltmeter and check the state of charge of the battery or take it into a battery shop for a load test.

[Hoglou]

Also changed from the wfco to a PG this spring, a heads up, my wfco to PG change requried a little of brace work behind a wall. But the 3010 may not contain the same trip wires.

Did a victron moniter while I was in there.

Pull your batts, take them to an auto parts store and load test. Then bring home and charge them with a decent machine to 100 %. Rest for at least 24 hrs and check for voltage above 12.2 (equals a 50% batt), 11.8 is good for the core "charge" on a new one..