RV Converters & Electrical Issues -- My RV Works

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My RV Works, Inc., Certified RV Technician, Darren Koepp, continues the 2nd season of “Ten Minutes With A Tech”.

Wayne is having a problem with his lights, Carbon Monoxide detector, and electrical appliances in his RV. They stop working after a few hours of being on (or being used).

Darren talks about Converters and how they integrate with the electrical system of RV’s, what Wayne’s problem could be in this situation, and how to troubleshoot the issue.

Stay tuned for the rest of the 2nd season of the show where more questions will get answered!

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New videos every Friday! And bonus videos here and there!

[normanknier]

I looked at online videos for awhile and couldn't find what I need, then I saw this video. You explained everything perfectly and pointed me in the right direction. I thought it's time to pull the electric box apart. I took off the cover and then I could get to the fuses that were recessed inside the box, so I pulled the 40 amp . Voila, the fuse was blown. Where it was, there was no way to see it without removing the cover. Thank you !

[KevinCoop]

Darren, We had a 2014 Thor Windsport and the converter was putting out 13.6 volts but no charge was going to the batteries when plugged in to shore power. When not on shore power, no DC to anything in the RV. After lots of YouTube viewing, I finally found the answer. There is a tie between chassis and house panels that is inside a metal box under the hood right in front of the driver. This panel is specifically made for Thor. At the bottom left of the circuit board, there is a circuit breaker that has a tiny reset button. I barely touched it and everything started working correctly. I thought I would share. Respectfully, Kevin

[AndrewMRoySr]

Well even though you were a bit scattered in your presentation the one gem that I gleamed and was extremely useful was that the converter was like the brain and without it nothing was basically going to work. Pulled the converter box out put the test leads to it on a different 120 circuit It was dead. Ordered a 100 amp replacement from Amazon same day delivery up and running.
Thank you very much sir for pointing me in the right direction 🥳🥳

[jackbrown]

Your jumping around ..!
Is very much appreciated !
You give a very thorough picture of said subject at hand !
I needed to hear all that !
Looking to hear more on other videos !
Trying to learn all I can !
Your very knowledgeable!
Appreciate you sharing that knowledge!!
From ..Galveston tx

[ryanaldrich]

Have the same issue no thermostat or water heater everything else works hooked up to 15 amp to 30

[darrinpagano]

Hello Darren. You have helped me on so many things with my toyhauler. I have a 34 foot fifth wheel toyhauler. I’ve downloaded some of the manuals that you have. Very helpful. You have the greatest videos. I like the ones about the refrigerator explaining how they work. I also like the one about the soft start for the ac unit. I’m really thinking of getting one and putting it in myself. Watching the video of course. Keep up the great work. Thank you.

[Scubaken]

Great topic, wish this was out last week. I just changed my converter, my voltage was bouncing around at the lugs so being 10 years old decided to upgrade. It’s working great now.

[waynemccranie]

Awesome explanation, I rebuilt mine, it was not working when I got it. I didn't ask the question but thanks for the personalization. LOL

[milno]

Perfect explanation. You made it so simple!

[jonfoster]

Great video! But what does it mean if the converter makes a loud constant buzzing sound?

[patrickfrausto]

Very well explained show and tell. That's what I needed. Thank you!

[garymarrs]

My wife accidentally plugged our camper Into a 220 outlet. It seems to me that the converter fried but, my fridge light comes on. Is there any chance that my fridge is on ac instead of dc.

[caesartechera]

Can one fuse from the power converter affects to the electrical circuit?

[jimmacaulay]

Hi Darren. New subscriber here.

We bought our first camper, a 1982 Sunline 16.5', in decent condition. Now I have to learn how it works!

1. I bought a new battery and plugged the trailer into the house with a 30-15A adapter (please don't turn on the AC!!!). The fridge turned on and got cold, and some of the 12V lights could be turned on. Maybe a blown fuse or those lousy 12V lights just don't connect well. I'll get to that issue later.

Then I unplugged, and the 12V went out. I used a tester and got 12V at the fuses, except one is blown. But the lights that went on when 120 was present do not work.

I've done some research on converters, and I don't see how this could happen. If there's 12V at the fuse, then that circuit should work! The fuse terminals go directly outside the concerter enclosure, so ???

2. On the subject of converters. The docs I got with the trailer show a Magnetec, but that's not what's installed. It's a "Converter Systems Inc" model CS-835, and extensive searching reveals nothing of the kind. I found two posts that seek info but they got nothing. It would be nice to have docs and wiring diagram. It claims to be 35A, does NOT say if it includes a charger!

This one is hard-wired into a tiny breaker panel with two breakers. I assume the 2nd circuit powers the AC, fridge and receptacles. Not smart to use one circuit for that, but I can't find any other breakers.

So, should I buy a new converter and panel, and re-wire? Or will it be possible to figure it out?

Thanks in advance!

Jim

[normanharris]

Thank you so very much for this video! IT helped solve my issue!!!! Very well explained and super helpful!!!! Thanks again!!!

[brianmyers]

Helped a lot, thank you sir. Just bought a 2016 Durango kz 286 and we not getting 120 power. We have the built in type converter as shown on your video. I ordered a new converter

[dalenelson]

Do you see any reason that I wouldn’t just put in a regular lithium battery charge when switching out my converter? Basically replacing it with a Victron or Li Time dedicated 30 or 40 amp dedicated battery charger.

[diverm]

Thanks Darren, Love these videos.

This weekend we arrived at the campsite to find out everything was working but the fridge have no power at all even if I plug the fridge in .
Its a dometic 12 volt and propane fridge some said its maybe this.
Microtemp G4A00 with TF 152C
I did check all breakers and fuse, any ideas?

[rmstark]

what would cause a newly installed converter to go bad shortly after install. And When it comes to converters what is their lifespan and what are a few common causes of failures with a newly replaced battery

[miracleyorkies]

What if the voltage goes higher than 13.6. What if it goes up to 15 or 16