Converter stopped working

[McCormickJim]

On my Goorgetown 31L5 (2016) I overloaded the circuit with the converter.

After removing the load, I reset the 120v 15 amp "general" breaker.

Everything worked on shore and generator power.

Nothing worked on the converter circuit when boondocking.

I cycled the converter breaker (it hadn't tripped, but I cycled it anyway).

I pressed the reset on the converter (it hadn't tripped, but I pressed it anyway).

The converter circuit still doesn't work.

Any suggestions on fuses or other circuit interrupts for the converter?

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by McCormickJim

On my Goorgetown 31L5 (2016) I overloaded the circuit with the converter.

After removing the load, I reset the 120v 15 amp "general" breaker.

Everything worked on shore and generator power.

Nothing worked on the converter circuit when boondocking.

I cycled the converter breaker (it hadn't tripped, but I cycled it anyway).

I pressed the reset on the converter (it hadn't tripped, but I pressed it anyway).

The converter circuit still doesn't work.

Any suggestions on fuses or other circuit interrupts for the converter?

You might want to post the secret of how you "overloaded the circuit with the converter". I suspect you blew the two 30a or 40 amp "reverse polarity" fuses which are intended to protect the converter.

[McCormickJim]

Mr. Dan, I overloaded the circuit by plugging in two 1500W space heaters.

I was sure I was plugging in to two different circuits, but obviously wasn't.


Where do I find the 30a or 40 amp "reverse polarity" fuses which are intended to protect the converter?

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by McCormickJim

Mr. Dan, I overloaded the circuit by plugging in two 1500W space heaters.

I was sure I was plugging in to two different circuits, but obviously wasn't.

Not being an electrician, I can't see how an overloaded outlet circuit would affect the converter circuit.

Do you see the two Reverse Polarity fuses?

[McCormickJim]

Mr. Dan,

No, I don't see the two Reverse Polarity fuses. Where are they located?

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by McCormickJim

Mr. Dan,

No, I don't see the two Reverse Polarity fuses. Where are they located?

On my Wildcat, they are on the face of the power center near 110V AC breakers and near 12v DC fuses BUT not in line with them. I've heard of some on the side or back of the converter/power panel. Can you post a pic of your power center?

[Mr. Dan]

Click on the 16 right down there ==> #16 and see a pic of one configuration of Reverse Polarity fuses -- circled in red.

[McCormickJim]

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...4&d=1569471129

With this picture provided by Mr. Dan I'll visit my GT and see if I can locate the breaker/fuse causing the issue.

To access the suspect panel I have to remove a panel under the sink. This is not easy access. There is a 'hand-hole' access port to access the built-in reset button, but accessing the fuse/breaker panel is a dis-assembly job.

I'll report back after the visit.

[Flybob]

Need a little more info, I think part of the problem here is that you are actually referring the inverter as a converter. A converter converts 120VAC to 12VDC and an inverter converts 12VDC to 120VAC. In some units this is a single unit, but performs both functions. If you were not on shore power when you plugged in the heaters, it could be several things. A tripped breaker on the inverter or inverter needs to be reset. Blown fuses on the input to the inverter as 3just those two heaters would draw 240A DC. Check the 12VDC input to the inverter from the battery to insure you have at least 12V there. Then check the output from the inverter. If both of these are OK, then check the 1st outlet after the inverter. The quick connect outlets used in RVs do not always make good contact and under high load can over heat and open.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Need a little more info, I think part of the problem here is that you are actually referring the inverter as a converter. A converter converts 120VAC to 12VDC and an inverter converts 12VDC to 120VAC. In some units this is a single unit, but performs both functions. If you were not on shore power when you plugged in the heaters, it could be several things. A tripped breaker on the inverter or inverter needs to be reset. Blown fuses on the input to the inverter as 3just those two heaters would draw 240A DC. Check the 12VDC input to the inverter from the battery to insure you have at least 12V there. Then check the output from the inverter. If both of these are OK, then check the 1st outlet after the inverter. The quick connect outlets used in RVs do not always make good contact and under high load can over heat and open.

Jim, please consider what Flybob is saying. I didn’t even consider the probability that you were calling an INverter a CONverter, although I did say I couldn’t see how an overloaded outlet circuit could affect your converter circuit. There will NOT be any Reverse Polarity fuses on an inverter so that pic won’t help if you are truly speaking of an inverter.

[McCormickJim]

Mr. Dan and FlyBob, yes. I said Converter but my problem is with the inverter, changing 12v to 120v.

Sorry guys.

I've included two pictures: The inverter (Xantrex Freedom XI); Fuse block by the inverter. All fuses have been removed and been verified 'good'.

Nothing in the fuse block is labeled.

There must be another circuit interrupt device somewhere.

[McCormickJim]

More pictures: Battery box AND fuse block; Battery box fuse block

All fuses were checked 'good'.

There must be other circuit interrupt devices somewhere.

[NXR]

Fuses control DC circuits, such as the power to the inverter. Breakers control AC power, such as the outlets.

Have you checked the GFCI button located on one of the outlets? It should not have tripped due to an overload but who knows? Mine is on the outlet that is located in the center bath. Because the dark brown buttons blend in so well with the rest of it, I literally never noticed them for a few months.

That looks like the same 2000 watt Xantrex inverter I have. I think mine has a breaker on the front of it.

When you power up on house batteries, what does the Xantrex control panel show? On mine I sometimes have to switch the inverter on manually using that panel. Assuming you have one, of course. Does the inverter have any lights that turn on?

So what we need to know is whether the inverter 12 VDC input is working. If so then you know the problem is either the inverter itself or something after it. For instance, on my circuit breaker panel on the foot of the bed, I have outlet breakers. One is marked "GFCI Outlets".

HTH,

Ray

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by McCormickJim

More pictures: Battery box AND fuse block; Battery box fuse block

All fuses were checked 'good'.

There must be other circuit interrupt devices somewhere.

Did you reset the 50 amp DC circuit breaker above the Battery Control Center?

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by McCormickJim

More pictures: Battery box AND fuse block; Battery box fuse block

All fuses were checked 'good'.

There must be other circuit interrupt devices somewhere.

Hard to tell but is one of your switch blade breakers, just left of the BCC tripped?

[McCormickJim]

rk06382 and bubbles, thanks for the input. I'll visit my GT and look for the 50 amp DC breaker/switch blade breaker. I have looked for a breaker or fuse in the battery control center but didn't see anything recognizable as a breaker. Your input will help me focus on what I should be looking for.

[NXR]

They don't look like regular breakers. They're the two small rectangular things with the red button. Just press the button in.

I would think a lot more than the inverter would be dead but I do not know your electrical system.

Our Xantrex inverter has an internal transfer switch that takes it out of the picture when running on shore power or generator. Since your outlets work on shore and generator power, to me that puts the focus on the inverter power and protection systems.

Ray

[McCormickJim]

NXR, yes, I checked the GFCI. Everything works when on shore power.

My Xantrex inverter does not have a breaker on the front of it. It does have a RESET on the side, but that has not been tripped.

When I power up on house batteries, the Xantrex control panel show does not light up? It will ot switch on manually using that panel.

[McCormickJim]

Ray, thanks for the clarification identifying the red buttons. I'll head over now and give them a push.

[NXR]

If you have a voltmeter and are comfortable using it, bring it along and check the 12 VDC power connection going to the inverter if resetting those breakers does not help. if you have 12 VDC on the input but the Xantrex panel does not power up you may have a defective inverter.

Ray