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04-11-2021, 08:58 AM
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#1
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Sunseeker
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 39
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Converter/charger issues
I have a Forrest River 2014 Sunseeker 3170ds. I believe the converter has failed. The unit has a WF 8930/50 distribution center and manuals that I have for the unit shows a WF 9800 series converter. The problem is I can’t find the converter anywhere in the camper. Pulled the distr. center out and it has a 120v receptacle in the back but no converter is plugged in. The distr. center wiring diagram has heavy gage red and white cables to the battery + and - and shows a third red cable from the converter. I have 120v to the camper when plugged in to shore power, just no 12v to the battery. Where might I find that elusive converter. Since it’s not working, I don’t hear the fan kicking in or out so I can’t trace it’s location with my ears. Any ideas?
Thanx!
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04-11-2021, 09:26 AM
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#2
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Part-Time Campground Host
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 3,187
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Does anything 12 volt work (lights, radio, etc)? Or is it just the battery not charging?
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Craig & Cath
2018 2902WS Rockwood Ultra Lite (with tons of Mods)
2022 F250 Lariat Super Cab, 7.3 gas w/10 Spd Xmsn
Equalizer Hitch w/4-Point Sway Control
Days camped since 2015(retirement): 1687
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04-11-2021, 09:37 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wingunder
I have a Forrest River 2014 Sunseeker 3170ds. I believe the converter has failed. The unit has a WF 8930/50 distribution center and manuals that I have for the unit shows a WF 9800 series converter. The problem is I can’t find the converter anywhere in the camper. Pulled the distr. center out and it has a 120v receptacle in the back but no converter is plugged in. The distr. center wiring diagram has heavy gage red and white cables to the battery + and - and shows a third red cable from the converter. I have 120v to the camper when plugged in to shore power, just no 12v to the battery. Where might I find that elusive converter. Since it’s not working, I don’t hear the fan kicking in or out so I can’t trace it’s location with my ears. Any ideas?
Thanx!
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i would start at the power distribution center and follow the "third red cable" (which may be yellow or orange) from there to wherever it goes. According to WFCO the 9800 series converters are "Deck Mount" units and it could be anywhere the installer found space. It will have + and - wires connecting it to the power center as well as a 120 volt power source. It might also be possible to trace the 120 volt wire from the converter breaker in the panel to the converter itself.
I had a trailer years ago that had the converter hidden in a small space under a shelf below the kitchen sink. Barely big enough for the converter itself. Frustrating but it's in there somewhere 
While searching it might be a good idea to check battery disconnect (if equipped with one) and resettable circuit breaker not far from the battery on the positive wire on it's way to the power center. Both common problems with "no battery charge".
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"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change  )
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04-11-2021, 10:08 AM
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#4
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Sunseeker
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 39
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Nothing 12v, coach related functions. The coach battery is drained. BTW, I just replaced the coach battery 2 weeks ago. Everything 12v related worked when I installed that battery, but unknown to me, it wasn’t charging and now is flat! I need to find the converter so I can confirm it’s failure.
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04-11-2021, 01:54 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,855
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wingunder
Nothing 12v, coach related functions. The coach battery is drained. BTW, I just replaced the coach battery 2 weeks ago. Everything 12v related worked when I installed that battery, but unknown to me, it wasn’t charging and now is flat! I need to find the converter so I can confirm it’s failure.
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It's usually behind the fuse/breaker panel.
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Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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04-11-2021, 03:01 PM
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#6
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Sunseeker
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 39
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Been there, not to be found.
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04-11-2021, 03:08 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 4,556
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As TitanMike said, follow the wire from the breaker labeled "converter" to its hiding place.
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TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars
Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)
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04-11-2021, 09:39 PM
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#8
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Sunseeker
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 39
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Illusive Converter
Many thanx to all who replied. Acting on just a hunch, I found the converter. It was in an outside compartment where all the utilities (plumbing valves, shore power cable storage) are located. There on an interior wall was the converter. I checked the fuses and they both were ok. It started raining so I had to quit diagnosing. I will put a meter on it tomorrow, but I’m sure the converter is toast. Thanx again for the help!!
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04-17-2021, 12:35 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,499
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I hope you come back and tell us what the problem was. Can help others, especially me as I'm experiencing the same thing now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wingunder
Many thanx to all who replied. Acting on just a hunch, I found the converter. It was in an outside compartment where all the utilities (plumbing valves, shore power cable storage) are located. There on an interior wall was the converter. I checked the fuses and they both were ok. It started raining so I had to quit diagnosing. I will put a meter on it tomorrow, but I’m sure the converter is toast. Thanx again for the help!!
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__________________
2018 Forester 3011 DS
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04-17-2021, 12:47 PM
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#10
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Sunseeker
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcheatwood
I hope you come back and tell us what the problem was. Can help others, especially me as I'm experiencing the same thing now.
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Turned out to be the converter as I suspected. 12 v output was nada! Got a new converter yesterday and am in the process of installing it as we speak��
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04-17-2021, 07:18 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,499
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Thank you. I pretty much determined my converter is bad today
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2018 Forester 3011 DS
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