Need help! (miswired outlet) - Page 2

D W · 05-15-2021, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martman

Not sure I understand what you meant by "plugging in your battery". The battery is on the 12V side. Did you use an extension cord to bypass the miss-wired receptacle and test the 110V side? The output of the converter can easily be checked with a multimeter to determine if it's still functional. I would be concerned with the 110V appliances that were plugged in such as the microwave. I would check the fireplace receptacle with a multimeter to determine if there is 110V there.

tomkatb · 05-15-2021, 01:39 PM

Your job is to plug the trailer into a 120 circuit and switch the breakers off. Turn on one at a time and try everything. Carefully.

No damage is unlikely.

Martman · 05-15-2021, 01:57 PM

I don’t have a voltage meter to check but I do have power all the way into the converter but no power coming out. I’m going to cross my fingers and order a new converter and see what that does. Thanx for all the great advice. I Haven’t been a member long and this site and it’s members have been a huge help!

**wmtire** · 05-15-2021, 04:19 PM

Let us know how it goes with the new converter, and hopefully that is all the damage that was incurred.

We do understand how bad you may feel, but you will get past it, and enjoy your RV. Stuff like this does unfortunately happen, and you are not alone in this. As you noted, we have a great community here..... who won't wag fingers as we all try to be helpful. We will help you get past it.

nomad297 · 05-16-2021, 06:31 AM

Have you made any progress?

Bruce

Martman · 05-16-2021, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomad297

Have you made any progress?

Bruce

Ordered a new converter last night from Amazon $160 will be here Tuesday. Also took out the fireplace and opening it up to see what the issue was with that. I’ve got power to the motherboard but not past it as I can visually see its fried! Tried to find a new motherboard for it but had no luck. I could find motherboards for comparable fireplaces ($120) but not the exact one we have apparently it is exclusively made just for forest river. We could purchase a brand new one for right around $200. As far as the electrician goes he did return my call last night and apologized for his mistake but didn't offer to pay for his mistakes! He also is sending his coworker back to fix it on Monday and test what can be tested in the camper. So far it looks like I have to replace the converter and the fireplace fingers crossed!!! I’ll keep you all posted on the progress.

D W · 05-16-2021, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martman

I don’t have a voltage meter to check but I do have power all the way into the converter but no power coming out. I’m going to cross my fingers and order a new converter and see what that does. Thanx for all the great advice. I Haven’t been a member long and this site and it’s members have been a huge help!

Just a thought here, did you check the converter reverse polarity fuses?

**wmtire** · 05-16-2021, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martman

Ordered a new converter last night from Amazon $160 will be here Tuesday. Also took out the fireplace and opening it up to see what the issue was with that. I’ve got power to the motherboard but not past it as I can visually see its fried! Tried to find a new motherboard for it but had no luck. I could find motherboards for comparable fireplaces ($120) but not the exact one we have apparently it is exclusively made just for forest river. We could purchase a brand new one for right around $200. As far as the electrician goes he did return my call last night and apologized for his mistake but didn't offer to pay for his mistakes! He also is sending his coworker back to fix it on Monday and test what can be tested in the camper. So far it looks like I have to replace the converter and the fireplace fingers crossed!!! I’ll keep you all posted on the progress.

Good deal. Just as a reminder and for some reading material, you may want to check out this thread. It explains your different electrical systems, as well as what the converter does.

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...nt-152813.html

Martman · 05-16-2021, 10:31 AM

Checked that first!

Martman · 05-16-2021, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmtire

Good deal. Just as a reminder and for some reading material, you may want to check out this thread. It explains your different electrical systems, as well as what the converter does.

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...nt-152813.html

I’ll definitely be checking this out. Thanx for the reading material.

elind · 05-16-2021, 10:41 AM

This a reason to have a good surge protector in line so when you go to new campgrounds you protected. If a campground pedastal is miswired the incorrect power won't enter the RV.

mikeyk101 · 05-16-2021, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elind

This a reason to have a good surge protector in line so when you go to new campgrounds you protected. If a campground is miss wired the incorrect power won't enter the RV.

Or wherever you plug in, at home as well. Just a good preventative measure.

mac1_131 · 05-16-2021, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martman

Here is the problem. The electrician was a friend of a friend that did the work under the table cash job! I’ll have him fix the wiring but not sure about repairs to the camper. Im a very mechanically inclined person so I can handle repairs on my own and I already have the camper panel box and converter out and the converter appears to look good not like the photos above at all. Also when I plugged my battery in everything in the camper worked with the exception of the fireplace. That being said in your opinions should I replace the converter? Not sure how to test it to see if good or not. It does plug into the back of the camper panel do you think I could plug it into an extension cord to see if it functions or not. Just don’t want to do any more damage than what’s already done!

Then you need to start with a new converter. In the mean while, you can isolate the old blown up converter and hook the batteries back up to check all 12v items (stereo, slide outs, panel controls). Hopefully the converter blew out and protected all the 12v stuff down stream.

And get the rig connected to known good 120v and check all the 120v items out. Hopefully they were all just turned off and didn't get zapped.

You might luck out and only need a converter. Or it might be worse.

Things that were actually turned off probably survived.

nomad297 · 05-16-2021, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elind

This a reason to have a good surge protector in line so when you go to new campgrounds you protected. If a campground pedastal is miswired the incorrect power won't enter the RV.

Just a surge protector won’t do this.

Better than a surge protector would be an EMS such as the Southwire Surge Guard* 30A – Model 34931. This is the best pedestal mount EMS out there in my opinion. Many others here like the Progressive Industries EMS systems — it’s a “Which brand truck is best” sort of thing.

You really should consider buying one of these things. Here’s a link to the one I like:

https://www.southwire.com/power-mana...4931/p/p-34931

Bruce

nomad297 · 05-16-2021, 11:17 AM

Here’s a little (a lot) more information and details on the Southwire products:

https://assets.southwire.com/ImConvS...ure%202019.doc

Bruce

**Mr. Dan** · 05-16-2021, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac1_131

Then you need to start with a new converter. In the mean while, you can isolate the old blown up converter and hook the batteries back up to check all 12v items (stereo, slide outs, panel controls). Hopefully the converter blew out and protected all the 12v stuff down stream.

And get the rig connected to known good 120v and check all the 120v items out. Hopefully they were all just turned off and didn't get zapped.

You might luck out and only need a converter. Or it might be worse.

Things that were actually turned off probably survived.

?
See post 26.

chriscowles · 05-16-2021, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martman

Ordered a new converter last night from Amazon $160 will be here Tuesday. ...

Since you have to buy a new converter, consider getting one that's Lithium compatible. It's too late for the one you ordered but not too late to not install it. If the one you ordered isn't Li-compatible, order another one now that is, and return the extra.

The reason you want to do that is, although you may not have plans presently to upgrade to Lithium batteries, prices are falling to the point that you may consider it when your current battery dies.

Make sure the one you get is also compatible with standard lead-acid batteries. Some Li-compatible converters are Li-only, including WFCO's Li-compatible replacement converter. Don't buy that.

Don't bother with a Li-compatible converter if solar panels are in your future. They'll provide the extra voltage required by Li batteries.

mac1_131 · 05-16-2021, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

?

See post 26.

Thanks missed 26. Hopefully that's all that's fried.

**Mr. Dan** · 05-16-2021, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac1_131

Thanks missed 26. Hopefully that's all that's fried.

Yes, that would be great!

dward51 · 05-16-2021, 12:23 PM

Sounds like you are on the way to figuring it out and the damage may be limited to a few areas. I would strongly suggest you install a EMS as this could also happen at campgrounds. A $250 EMS can save a lot of dollars and headaches in repairs. It would have stopped this from happening if you had one (hard wired model or plug in in-line type, either one would work).

You may also like: