Converter Issue

BLTOH · 05-27-2013, 07:18 PM

We have a rockwood mini lite 2104. This weekend we experienced an issues in which the battery kept going dead on us even though we was hooked up to shore power.the battery charges fine as we took it to an auto repair place and had them check it and fully charge it for us. the rest of the weekend we found ourselves having to charge the battery off and on with the vehicle. We did a check on what we could get to with a meter. the fuses are good. the dc voltage output check came back as 7.75 and not the 13.6 it said it should. so should we just replace the converter at this point?

is this something simple we could do on our own or should we have the rv dealer we purchased from do it?

thank you for any input.

BarryD0706 · 05-27-2013, 07:23 PM

You need to first make sure that the converter has 120v on its input. (There is a breaker for it normally.) If its got that, there may be some fuses inside it that could be checked.

BLTOH · 05-27-2013, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryD0706

You need to first make sure that the converter has 120v on its input. (There is a breaker for it normally.) If its got that, there may be some fuses inside it that could be checked.

where would i find that? is it on the converter itself or the main breaker before pulling it out? i can tak a picture of what we have if it would help.

BarryD0706 · 05-27-2013, 07:49 PM

Sorry. I should have been more clear. Among all the other breakers in your RV, like for the AC, etc. there will be one for the converter.

BLTOH · 05-27-2013, 08:01 PM

Other half says he did check all those and all was ok as far as the fuses go. will check tomorrow what the input is going into it. if those are fine what would be next on the list?

garbonz · 05-27-2013, 08:08 PM

Your converter is not working and the voltage is SO WRONG. Need to fix it or your good battery will be a bad one very soon.

If you check the circuit breaker and it is ON, then you can check the converter, wherever it is and look for external fuses on it. But in reality you may be better to replace it with a better one like a Progressive Dynamics unit of the same Amphours capacity as your current one.

If still under warranty then just take it back and have the dealer replace it.

BLTOH · 05-27-2013, 08:11 PM

During our check of the converter, we found that there are alot of blobs of white.. appears to be like a caulk or sonething.. What is it exactly. Also we noticed that the two blocks in the back the converter were hot to the touch. They are right next to the F1 fuse. What are they and are they supposed to be hot?

**Herk7769** · 05-27-2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garbonz

Your converter is not working and the voltage is SO WRONG. Need to fix it or your good battery will be a bad one very soon.

If you check the circuit breaker and it is ON, then you can check the converter, wherever it is and look for external fuses on it. But in reality you may be better to replace it with a better one like a Progressive Dynamics unit of the same Amphours capacity as your current one.

If still under warranty then just take it back and have the dealer replace it.

I agree; time for a new converter.

BarryD0706 · 05-27-2013, 08:12 PM

Check out post #11 here. Lou was good enough to post troubleshooting guides for some converters.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...e-40534-2.html

BLTOH · 05-27-2013, 08:22 PM

Going to check into the warranty for this. If it is covered are we able to press for a better converter? Or are we going to be stuck with what they give us which may be another possible failed converter....

garbonz · 05-27-2013, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLTOH

Going to check into the warranty for this. If it is covered are we able to press for a better converter? Or are we going to be stuck with what they give us which may be another possible failed converter....

Probably stuck with another similar unit, but it may last longer or not. You may be able to buy another better one, and have them install it under warranty. Worth asking about.

Or take what they give you and use it as a back up and get a good external 3 stage charger and use that, keeping the installed unit offline by flipping the breaker off.

Lots of options.

BLTOH · 05-27-2013, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garbonz

Probably stuck with another similar unit, but it may last longer or not. You may be able to buy another better one, and have them install it under warranty. Worth asking about.

Or take what they give you and use it as a back up and get a good external 3 stage charger and use that, keeping the installed unit offline by flipping the breaker off.

Lots of options.

Does it have to be a 3 stage or can it be a 4 stage? is matching the amps the only requirement in finding a better one?

garbonz · 05-27-2013, 09:32 PM

Four is better sort of than 3 and try to get a decent one. There are some recommendations floating around here on good one, external units that is. Maybe someone will chime in.

BLTOH · 05-28-2013, 07:49 AM

Looked at a progressive dynamic 55 amp 4 stage converter for $162 ..

TURBS · 05-28-2013, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLTOH

Looked at a progressive dynamic 55 amp 4 stage converter for $162 ..

Wise decision!
Turbs

Ditchooker · 06-03-2013, 01:13 AM

I installed the PD unit last week and got to field test it this weekend camping, worked like a champ, was less noisy than the WFCO unit was, and did what it was designed to do, ran the generator much less, and didn't wake up to a dead battery on the 3rd day.

TURBS · 06-03-2013, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ditchooker

I installed the PD unit last week and got to field test it this weekend camping, worked like a champ, was less noisy than the WFCO unit was, and did what it was designed to do, ran the generator much less, and didn't wake up to a dead battery on the 3rd day.

Good to hear!

BLTOH · 06-03-2013, 07:08 AM

New converter ordered need new battery as well though. Is there a good brand to look at? Mine says dc24 on it should I stay with that it can I get maybe a dp model with bigger reserve capacity ? Or even a dc27? Not sure what my boundaries are on that.

BLTOH · 06-03-2013, 07:09 AM

Ditchhooker..
I just ordered a PD..should be here and ready to install this weekend..

garbonz · 06-03-2013, 07:26 AM

Get as big a bat as you can fit. Grp 27 better than 24 AND make sure it is a true deep cycle. Mfg is less important than design. Make sure that quote the AH 20 hr discharge rate is listed on the spec. A grp 24 will be about 80 AH, a 27 around 100. Don't skimp.

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