Converters out; can I still camp?

[52chevy]

The converter in my motorhome is out is it possible to still use it?
If so how?
TIA

[52chevy]

The motorhome that is.

[A32Deuce]

If you own a battery charger, you can use that but that is not the best use. You need the batterys and converter to handle all the 12 volt components it your unit. You are talking about 55 amp output.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by 52chevy

The converter in my motorhome is out is it possible to still use it?

If so how?

TIA

A 2019 Coachmen Pursuit motorhome per your profile.

The converter takes in 120 volts AC and changes it to 12 volts DC to charge your batteries and run all things DC. That normally includes lighting, the refrigerator, the electric steps, etc.

Without a converter you would be running everything off your batteries until they die. Without a hefty solar panel system your batteries may last a day or two. It depends on how many house batteries you have, their condition, and your DC usage.

Even running the generator will not help because the onboard generator produces 120 volts AC.

What happened to the converter?

Ray

[52chevy]

It's a wfco 55amp that's a year and a half old so it's under warranty. So gonna let them replace it but might take a week or two. I was wondering about the battery charger but thought th a t might back feed something and make things worse.
Prolly just wait it out. Electric stuff scares me.

[Flybob]

If the battery is fully charged, you can use your 12V items for a limited amount of time before you will need to charge the battery by some means. However, it could depend on how the converter was removed. In some cases the distribution panel is partially removed or disconnected in which case you may have no power even if connected to shore power.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by 52chevy

It's a wfco 55amp that's a year and a half old so it's under warranty. So gonna let them replace it but might take a week or two. I was wondering about the battery charger but thought th a t might back feed something and make things worse.

Prolly just wait it out. Electric stuff scares me.

It doesn't matter whether the batteries get their charge from the converter or a battery charger. The only difference is, unless you have a battery charger rated at the same amperage as your converter, the batteries will deplete quicker since the charger may not keep up with the demand like the converter can since most consumer battery chargers are not 55 amp.

How do you know the converter is bad?
Did you check output voltage and the protection fuses?

[52chevy]

All the 12 volt started got weaker and weaker. Neighbor with electrical knowledge checked it with a meter per the tech at the converter company and found it went kaput. Fuses were good just no 12 volt out of it.
Thanks for the quick responses, appreciate y'all.

[SeaDog]

I had my converter go out on my class A at the start of a month long trip in the Black Rock Desert I hooked my portable battery charger to the house batteries and experienced no problems. Half the time I was on generator and the other half on stable power did not experience and loss of 12V power.

[llr]

Unless you use a lot of 12V power a 6+ amp charger should keep up reasonably well.

The charger can run 24 hours a day and if you are reasonable with 12V usage many time you will be well below the charger output so you will charge the batteries during this time and use them when the charger can't keep up.

I would not run the tank heaters.

[52chevy]

I don't have tank heaters. The converter is by itself,
do I unplug it or just turn the breaker off?

[NXR]

Turning the breaker off is fine. Either way works but remember what you did before they go to replace it or they'll think that is the problem.

Rat

[llr]

I am not sure what you mean by converters out in the title.

Did it fail and is still installed? If so I would turn off the breaker or unplug it, which ever is easier, just to be sure.

If if is not installed you do need to be sure there are nor lose wires to cause issues.

[Flybob]

If you remove the converter ( not clear if it is already out) be sure to insulate the positive site if the cable from the converter to the 12V system as it could be hot and cause a short.

[A32Deuce]

Originally Posted by 52chevy

I don't have tank heaters. The converter is by itself,
do I unplug it or just turn the breaker off?

If your converter is by itself, you can chathe it yourself. Mine was that way and I upgraded and did it myself. Unplug, disconnect the negative post of the battery and have at it.

[52chevy]

Yes it failed and still installed. Waiting on new one then I'll switch out. Just started the warranty process today. Thank you to everyone for your knowledge!!

[DougW]

Originally Posted by llr

Unless you use a lot of 12V power a 6+ amp charger should keep up reasonably well.

The charger can run 24 hours a day and if you are reasonable with 12V usage many time you will be well below the charger output so you will charge the batteries during this time and use them when the charger can't keep up.

I would not run the tank heaters.

Best answer I have seen so far on this thread.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by DougW

Best answer I have seen so far on this thread.

X2. My converter recently went out when at a site with water and electric. I still had a week to enjoy this area and did not want to leave. Hooked up a 15amp battery charger and just left it hooked up. Had no problems running everything just like normal.
I did turn off the breaker for the converter just to be safe.

[52chevy]

One last question. .is the converter also the charger for the house batteries?

[DougW]

Originally Posted by 52chevy

One last question. .is the converter also the charger for the house batteries?

Yes it is.