How to test an RV / Camper 12v Converter Simply

Today I show you how to test a camper / RV power converted to make sure it is functioning correctly. The power converter turns shore power (120volt) into 12volt power for lights, fans, water pumps, furnace, or your refrigerator. This piece of equipment does age and wear out and it's important to test it any time you notice 12volt powered items in the camper acting weird, sluggish, weak, or not at all. This simple test takes just minutes to perform as long as you have a good quality DMM (Digital Multi-Meter). You use the test leads on the 12v lugs of the distribution panel in the camper or on the camper's battery. if the converter is working properly you should read between 12-14volts on your meter.

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[carolduvall]

You know I thought something was wrong and you just showed me that I did it I've been doing it right this whole time thank you

[gravellesimon]

Thanks for the video! Great job making it simple. It was easy to understand/follow!

[yukonjack]

Thanks!! You answered the question I had.

[jesseherrera]

Is there a relay between battery and converter?

[usmcken]

Great help but you don't explain or show exactly where to connect the tester to the panel we can almost see but not real good.

[johnniegilliam]

Can the Converter run the 12v circuit without a battery being installed?

[westsurfer]

Thanks for this great information! Been wondering how the on board batteries would get charged when connected to shore power and it sounds like it's just as simple as connecting them to circuit haha. I am curious though how you would wire an inverter into the circuit. Would you have to have separate outlets for each situation? Shore power vs. Battery/inverter power

[blindnorain]

I found that my buzz noise comes from the Coil 12VDC, is that normal? Sounds like yours.

[latoyabanks]

Great video, I have a fifth wheel and some of my lights has stopped working. One of the fuses was blown, and when I tried to change it, it sparked. How can I fix this?

[Jocabod]

I notice when I plug in to shore power I hear a humming sound coming from behind my panel. If I flip off one of the 15 amp circuit breakers marked recept. it goes off. There's two 15 amp recept. circuit breakers but only the one affects the humming. Is this a normal sound or is there maybe a stuck fan or something?

[jimberg]

So the converter runs on 120 VDC yet it's used to convert to 12 VDC? If this is the case, what CB are you using to shut down the converter? The main(s) CB?

[fibrenewnortheastcolumbus]

When I got my camper I initially reversed the polarity. Some inverters have a fuse to help with this but mine does not. The result was everything works except the battery will not charge when I am plugged into A/C. Any idea what to look for?

[frankelizondo]

my battery reads 13.07 volts, when i plug converter in to 120 volts the battery rises to 13.61 volts, is that enough charging or is my converter bad? my battery keeps on loosing all of its charge while on shore power.

[alexnahrwold]

When you turn on the circuit breaker, there is a humming noise that is starts occurring. Is that normal? My camper is making the same noise but a bit louder. Seems to go away when running appliances.

[garyryanWR]

When I was plugged into shore power mine was going up and up to 14.4 then I unplugged it . is my convert out ?

[whatfreedom]

Is it normal to hear a loud arc when I plug my camper into AC?

[jessejames]

My converter only puts out 12 volts without any batteries hooked up

[kitt]

my camper is acting weird, i seen a 2amp fuse blown so i replace it with a bigger fuse, my 12v system only works when theres a large load on it, i have to run my microwave, a fryer, and 110v heater just for my 12v lights to come on.

[matthewlblair]

When plugged into shore power with a fully charged battery to start, my camper lights eventually go dim. The battery tested at 11.6 v and the leads going from the camper (converter) to the battery read 11.75 v. All the blade fuses are good and the brewers are not tripped. I pulled the power panel out. There’s a noticeable whine coming from inside the converter when plugged in to shore power and the converter fan is not working. I’m assuming this all means the converter is bad and needs to be replaced. Would you agree? Or is it something else?

[coopercooper]

Wow, your converter is as loud as mine.