Check And Replace A Failed RV Converter
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 พ.ค. 2024
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Certified Mobile RV Technician, Darren Koepp, shows you how to diagnose and replace a failed power converter on an RV.
If you are in need of RV Repairs in the Olympic Peninsula area of Washington state, submit a service request on our website at myrvworks.com today!
I have literally been sitting here messing with my rv for HOURS!!! I feel I absolutely have a dead converter, however being where I am, I am an hour or more from an rv repair place and nobody will come to me, and I am on vacation mode not wanting to drive down and get the parts to do it myself. You said ONE WORD and saved my ENTIRE trip! JUMPER CABLES FROM MY TRUCK! Turns out I had a set. Didn’t even cross my mind. Charging batteries right now… will fix when I get back to reality. THANK YOU!!
I believe this was the absolute best of the repair/test videos I’ve seen in a few hrs of watching on my issue. I am certain that I’ll able to identify my issue. Thank you for putting this content out.
Automatic thumbs up for saying yonder in the 1st 30 seconds
Upgrading to a lithium charger. Pulled RV cover ( winter over?), heard beeping found battery's dead, no converter output.
Upgrading to 4 guage wire to converter and DC distribution panel. The converter is a 75 amp charger.
My dististribution board says 15 amps max from the charger, I believe it is because of the printed ckt runs. That's all they can handle. Still in progress will be great when complete. Added 2 ckt breakers 1 for just the converter. The 2nd will be for an inverter manual transferr switch. Running romex to my inverter to feed the AC buss.
Smaller older trailer and have done many repairs and upgrades to it. Solar is 380 watts, RV fridge I litterly converted absorbing to 12 volt freon compressor. Would be great if a higher current 12 distribution board was available. Watching channel for ideas and always learning. Great job, good video.
Thank You Derick, from Michigan 9-21-23 You make it easy to understand and fix
I wish I could give 10 thumbs up. You just saved me $400
Thank you buddy I’ve had two days of trying to figure things out even buying a new battery you saved us big time we full time rv and we live in idaho it’s cold tonight , both fuses were popped on my converter didn’t even know until I seen what yours looked like then I remember seeing it before when I was playing with my furnace a while back. Now we got light and a furnace keeping us warm !
This is one of the best videos explaining how to replace the converter. Thank you!
Really appreciate your effort, to go into detail in your How To videos - Is so very helpful, in diagnosing and repairing all the RV equipment you have covered so far - And, the tips you share to Prevent the problems in the first place, are priceless... Yours, are some of the Best repair and preventive maintenance videos out there - Keep up the great work... Patiently waiting each week, to see what you are going to cover next...
Thanks for the nice comments. I try to do my best and present the issues as I am working on them. Some folks have a nice studio and a prepared script with predictable outcomes. I do it all live and shooting from the hip. My audience discovers along with me as we go through it together. You might notice I called bolts screws and refrigerators air conditioners excetera but that just keeps it real. Thanks for watching I appreciate your comments.
Could it be converter still if the breaker didn't trip? We lost power to our control panel in 2020 milestone 5th wheel. Slides work but not the water pump, electric or gas water heater no lights switches in box.
Big help..I wasn't confident I could change or needed to change my converter until I saw your video..
Needed replacement and done with ease.. thanks
Evidently your services are needed and well appreciated, Keep up the good work and the great videos.
Thank you for this!! We just bought a bigger rv - our old one worked perfectly- our new one the seller was not truthful..not only did it have a leak, the radio system doesn't work, the outside shower leaks hot water constantly and on our 2 days test run we had almost no lights when we woke up the next day. We have a trip planned in 10 days and and rv repair appointment of course the week after we return.. will be a sad trip without the do it ourselves option. Thanks to your video I'm pretty sure we can do this fix!
Love your videos! It's so hard to find good information about RV's online!!
Keep sharing!
Thank you for watching. I do plan on continuing to provide content as I come across repair jobs.
Thank you for this info. My converter went out and I was able to diagnose the issue and replace the part all thanks to your help.
Excellent video, thanks so much for taking on the work to do them. I’ve learned so much in just 14 minutes. Keep up the good work. Subscribed.
You do a real good job of explaining every step of the process. Good job.
Great explanation of the steps required to change out the converter, thank you.
Thanks for sharing! I have an older Bounder diesel pusher and your videos have helped me understand many of its systems!
Thanks for the comment! I am so glad to hear these videos are helping. I have lots more planned so keep watching!
great video, I learned a lot about breakers and converter work.... however i always seem to pick of a tidbit of "unintended" knowledge from many tech vids. With yours today I didn't know about zeroing the meter while touching the wire before you loop the tester around the wire to check amps... thankyou.
You are most welcome. Thanks for watching. I do have on my list of videos to cover one on how to use a meter. There have been several folks that have asked for that. Happy camping!
THANK YOU
You help me with my RV electrical. Following now.
Thanks for the great video and your attention to all of the safety aspects very well covered.
I might have a bad converter. This video made me check my breakers. The converter breaker was off. I don't think it was tripped though I'm not sure how it turned off. You saved me a cold night with no heat or dc power. Turned the breaker back on and it stayed on. Now I know some things to check if it happens again.
i know nothing about electricity but after watching your video i honestly think i could handle this! awesome tutorial i learned so much
Great Job! Thanks for taking the time to make a quality video.
Thank you. I've been remodeling an 85 Layton and it had a apartment fridge installed before I bought it. They plugged the electric fridge into the outlet behind the side vent cover facing out. Not smart. One breaker is new. It's 30 amp and connected to it's own power plug on my meter base. The front plugs and lights went out and I had to run a power cord to the back. Now it's out again and the back lights and plugs aren't working. I reset the plug inside in the bathroom. I reset the breakers. It has a heat on demand water heater that's not plugged in.
Nothing is plugged in except my fridge and power bar.
I was working on the door with my drill and now the back plugs aren't working.
So I went back and reset the breakers that didn't even show they were tripped. My light's flickers and I turned them off. My plug still works that the fridge is hooked to buy my fridge is not on. And I saw a blue Arc from one breaker. Soo where do you get these breaker's from? I don't have any batteries hooked up yet. I am trying to find the fuses but can't find the schematic for a 85 Layton. Help!!
Wow, I have learned so much from you in the last two days! Thank you.
great video. i would probably check ac power at the plug with breaker on just to verify 120 volts
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT LESSON... THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Again your a wealth of information!!! I absolutely love your videos!!!! Very well shot (filmed) and learning so much! Thank you!!!
Great Video used to check my DSL-55 output allowing me to eliminate that as an issue I'm working on.
Saved me some money and I feel like I know how to troubleshoot now.
Thanks for sharing.
Awesome Videos...can not tell you how much I have learned! Thank You!
Up in Bellingham Washington and appreciate your videos. New subscriber
Taking notes..I am sure it my Navion 15 con verter gone bad and this video will help on install. Thanks so much.
Great video. Helped me diagnose my converter problem. 😀
Great video and very helpful information. My Jayco KB 1207 is a 1997 model and I'm pretty sure my converter is bad. But this definitely made it sound like it isn't the end of the world and is pretty easy to replace.
What makes you think it's bad? Just curious.
Awesome 👌 love watching your video's. I've learned something watching them,and thats a good thing because im a do it yourselfer and my electrical skills are limited. Thanks again 👍
Awesome! Thank you!
I'm new to RV's and have purchased an older 1981 class C. When I plugged my RV into my garage outlet, I could hear the converter running but after a while it shut off. Is this because it was charging a battery, then once it was charged, it shut off?. This is the first time I learned that the converter charges the battery. Your video's are very helpful for us beginners. I also just learned why my battery has a quick disconnect knob.
I have subscribed, you do awesome videos and I appreciate you.. I watched you explain how an RV refrigerator works I had no clue ,I'm a learner and I thought I knew everything,luv u
I really appreciated this video. Now. If I can find my converter I will understand what to check. If not I will have to see you.
Well done thank you, your video explanation for trouble shooting converter you did very good once again thank you.
I spend several hours a day learning from you. Thanks! I just bought a 2000 22" F450 Dynamax RV. Prior to my purchase "all" batteries, engine and house, were replaced on 7/22. All three batters are identical yet my understanding is the engine should be a START type while the house batteries DEEO CELL? In one of your videos you identify swelling on batters due to incorrect converter settings for the type of battery. Could you explain how we identify our battery, the different types and how to check/change the settings on the converter or if it requires replacement.
Hello! I enjoy your videos as well! My family and I live in an RV in Sequim. I’ve noticed recently that there is a pulsing in the lights and heater in the evening. Could that be a sign that my converter is on its way out?
Awesome video thanks my friend
have same issue with my rv converter , thanks so much now i can get it replaced mu self !
Very good video informative! Liked it a lot! Learned something from it.
I didnt know that was the 2nd longest floating bridge...cool.
Great job, and everything well explained.
Added to "contacts"....
Just in case.👍
Thanks for the comment. I love history and interesting facts of this area so I like to season the video’s with stuff like that. Thanks for watching!
You just saved my Wizard . The cooling fan wasnt working on the inverter. Found an open ground. Thanks again
lm
What is an open ground?
When I plug into shore power I hear a humming sound coming from behind my electrical panel. The sound goes away when I flip off one of the two 15 amp circuit breakers, both labeled recept. The converter is working as I get 13.65 volts with the battery switch on and 12.55 with it off. I'm wondering if there's a fan that may be stuck or if the humming is normal. I don't usually plug into shore power so not sure if this has always happened. 1998 dodge ram van camper (American Cruiser). Any advice?
Question Sir, are the batteries required or can the RV be used with 120V. AC also? Thank you! Great video.
Thank you so much for the video! Going to throw the new converter in my 5th wheel tomorrow just needed the confidence you gave me!
Very clear and well done. Thanks.
I’m MR MORGAN AND THANKS ALOT YOUR VIDEO ARE SO HELPFUL
Thanks for the video!
Great video thank you for sharing this
Excellent video, well explained.............thank you.
Thank you...Very informative!
Do converters have protection against connecting the battery in reverse polarity?
Many times the wires from the converter to the battery are black & white.
With a 12 volt vehicle everyone is accustomed to Black being negative, & Red positive, & they get hooked up wrong with Black treated as ground.
I helped a friend diagnose a problem with their battery in their RV & found the black was connected to Negative, & white to positive. I checked the converter & it was in fact connected in reverse polarity. Not sure how it affected the battery, & charging system, but I reconnected it the right way & seemed to be working at the time.
fantastic video, thank you
Great instructional video!
Question. Your videos are great by the way!!! I wanted to know, If I want to convert my RV from 30amp to 50amp, is it basically just swapping out the inlet, the wire from the inlet to the breaker box and add a new breaker box? (Obviously marking and reinstalling everything with the proper fuses) Thanks.
Great video. You do nice work. Very good descriptions and info as you were showing us. Nicely done
good one because I discovered today my converter was not working and removed it to test again on my workbench. Zero DC output? what was interesting is you showing to test the continuity reading with the amp meter. will try that but my converter wasn't popping the breaker just no charging my batteries when on shore power. going to order a new converter for it. Oh, and I checked the two 35 fuses.
great diagnosis and tips
I needed this video. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome videos by the way!
Another great video!
Thanks for this!
Great video. Thanks you.
Love your videos, I believe I understand the difference between an inverter and a converter, but can an inverter charge my batteries? I just replaced my alternator but when I'm plugged into ShorePower my batteries seemed to drain.
Great video. I feel confident about replacing the converter but before i do just want to make sure it's the issue. Shore power and generator are not charging the house batteries but I checked the voltage on the converter and the meter reads 11.80 si i am confused whether or not is the converter. All fuses are good and none of the breakers are tripped. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Great video! Just curious if I’m dry camping and want to charge my travel trailer battery w jumper cables right off the truck, will that damage the converter in anyway?
Music
Great video! Thank You,
Great Video, would like to carry a spare in my MH. My Converter states 65amp. Think it would hurt to run a 70amp unit? Reason I'd like to use a specific manufacturer and not the one thats installed
great video - Thanks -- I have a problem with my battery disconnect to my chassis battery and I think it's the disconnect switch - which is 2 rocker switch's with the 2 lights above them - when I try to turn on the chassis rocker it doesn't seem to work like it used to and the light won't come on and stay on - thus no power to start my 2002 Gulfstream Ultra Supreme class A motorhome - I ordered a new disconnect panel and it's to old by 3 years and they sent a different set up that has just the 2 rockers with wire connecters on the rear of them - mine has a circuit board type on the back - is it going to be a real pain to match these wires to single push connecters for the new one ? and do you think this is the problem to start with ? Thanks for any thoughts - Roger from Salt Lake City Utah. US
Thanks for sharing
Very helpful video
Can you use a 650w computer power supply for a converter?
You would have to add the primary fuses but it would be 650W/12V=54.16A.
An old 550w power supply would be 550W/12V=45.83A
You can find these everywhere.
And you can get the 5V for charging other things.
I guess there would be liability issues, but for your own you could in a pinch.
Outstanding!
Awesome video thank you
My question is why would you swap out for a new converter without opening the old one and inspecting it for a lose wire shorting it? One wire that came loose and grounded out the system might have been the quick fix. I know the coils might be damaged from a short and that would make it garbage but it seems this would have been the logical first step before replacing the whole unit.
I have an old 81 RV that has issues. The one ground wire coming up from the frame had power on it so my whole unit was energized. I going to inspect the converter tomorrow thoroughly. It used glass fuses and the previous owner sloppily rewired some of them so they used plastic fuses. The terminal for the water pump, tank levels and battery condition doesn't work so I have to figure out why. As yet I don't understand how that terminal works. That is what brought me here.
Other than inspecting your converter for a short I really appreciate this video. I am just to cheap or poor to trash my converter without troubleshooting it first. But thanks for making this video and explaining the system.
For my company the simple answer is liability and warranty. Most (but not all) of these converter cases are riveted closed. As a business if I open up that case and fix it I'm liable for any future failures within that enclosure. We do not offer board-level repair. So when I replace the converter with a brand new one the customer gets a Mfg. warranty and then I put my head on my pillow at night without the fear of repair that I made on a converter that may fail again. Without going through diagnosing each component on that board, there's no way to know that other components did not fatigue causing the internal failure in the first place. If it turns out to be a blown fuse, it blew for a reason. You can't just replace a fuse and think it's fixed.
Very good video
Very nice video
Good video. Thanks.
I am a certified RV tech..."Love" your vids...Thank you!
Hi, my rv is having issues i think i have a short somewhere. First the batteries dont stay charged, 2 i plugged in a heater while plugged into shore power it blew out..twice actually ..i plugged in a second one it also blew out. 3 the lights get dim..does that sound like a power converter to you? Also do you know where that would be in a 2006 Dutchman grand junction? Really appreciate any help you can give me thanks
So I've watched a couple of your converter videos, and the one thing you don't do is check the wires on the outside that come into the converter to see if there is something going on there, because there are manual breakers on the outside/under the RV and sometimes that needs to just be reset, or there is a bad connection somewhere.
I've already answered one of your questions, but the converter is an appliance not unlike a toaster. If I'm giving it 120 volts AC and it's not giving me 12 volts DC out then it's not the outfeed side that's causing the problem. If it was one of the circuit breakers on the battery side, the converter would still put out 12 volts up to that circuit breaker fuse. But if I get battery voltage at the converter DC side I know I've got a path from the converter to the battery.
@@MyRVWorks I understand that part now, but I'm trying to understand why you wouldn't open the converter and see what happened internally, because most times it's one of the compasitors, or one of the internal fuses, or even something blown that just needs to be resaudered. It just seems to make sense to troubleshoot the inside of the converter to save a pretty good chunk of change. A new converter is roughly $200-$300, the other's I listed are somewhere in the neighborhood of $15-$25. I'm genuinely asking to learn and be educated and your videos were and have been the most detailed, easy to understand, and very helpful. But Iike 87% of Americans right now it's paycheck to paycheck. I've already spent $280 on a RV guy to come "fix" it (he did not), and replace the battery for $160. My emergency fund is near depleted.
Do you recommend using the same model that's in there or does it not matter? I have 50amp service AC in my RV, so guessing you should go with a 55amp?
thank you
Great video thanks
Great video, thank you for the excellent information. I understood you carry spare convertors for replacement. Are they all the same ratings or how would you choose which convertor's to stock? I would like to stock a spare convertor, but thinking of trading campers and would not want to stock one that may now work with a different camper.
What we keep in stock on our service trailer are 55 amp stand-alone converters. This will work in most instances if the onboard batteries are water-filled. If the batteries are maintenance-free, spiral cell, or lithium then you would need a different converter.
Well done
Thanks
Very helpful
Thank you for the video. It was very informative. I need to learn as much as I can. My RV flooded. Seems as everything works except the 12 volt lights. The water heater kicks on and is working. And all wall plugs are working. Question. I have a 2004 Thor Wanderer Glide Lite. Does it have a converter and inverter? And are they separate or in the same box? Thank you again.
My 07 has the inverter under the sink and is labeled, my converter/ charger is under the fridge behind my breakers. Your converter is wired straight to whatever main switch turns on house power (in my experience) you'r 12v is the lifeblood of your RV, know it, love it, service it :) I just did 400w solar it's fantastic.
Skye Weaver I want to go solar also. That will be in time. I have so much to do still. But we made it in ours in time to not have to pay our lot rent and rent at our old place. The converter is exactly what you said it was. And looks like it needs to be replaced. It’s been discontinued and been suggested to replace it. Everything works except the 12 volt. So we use electric burners to cook and shower at our bath house which is very beautiful and very clean. Hope omg to have the propane tanks put in this weekend. Do you know if I need the new converter to work the water heater and stove? I have no clue. Or does it only light the pilots? I can light them manually right and they’ll be okay?
Thank you!
Have you dealt with an older style camper converter. My converter has the fuse panel inside I can access by a little door on the end of it. How ever I try to replace it with a powermax pm3 and I have no juice. I install the old one and works fine till it blows a fuse.
Thanks for the video. Now if I could locate my converter, lol
Great videos
When my converter died a few weeks ago, the breaker didn’t trip. My battery all of a sudden just started draining. I thought it was low water in my battery (I had never performed any maintenance on it). Filled the battery with distilled water. Kept draining. Had another day of camping, so I found a new battery as I still thought the battery was the fault. New battery same problem. The new battery got us home, but realized it had to be the converter. It’s an easy swap. Used the same model as before and hope it lasts more than 2 years.
On this converter, I took the cover off and found a resistor that had popped off the control board. That apparently caused a dead short. On other converters different parts had failed inside and did not cause a short. But the end result was 120 VAC in and NO 12 VDC out. Therefore, a failed converter. There are folks that can get in there and make repairs but that is not my business model. I just replace the converter with a new one and it comes with a warranty.
My RV Works, Inc. I just realized that I have low voltage going to all of my outlets after the install. Ordered another replacement as I can’t find another reason for this new problem. 120V at the source. 80V at all outlets. Strange!
@@frostriver8686 Sounds like you have a floating neutral. Turn off all the breakers except for the main. Do you have 120 VAC on the main buss in your panel - with all other breakers off? If no than the issue is between the shore connection and the panel. If you do have 120 at that point, then turn on/off one breaker at a time and see where the voltage drops. One of them will be the culprit. Once you have it narrowed down to a specific circuit you can divide and conquer. One time I found that a clock radio that was plugged in was the culprit, another time I found an outside refrigerator that was causing it. Here is a video I uploaded on a similar issue that may help you: th-cam.com/video/kSuYFfqjtrY/w-d-xo.html
My RV Works, Inc. Darren, GFI and Fridge knock of about 5-10 V each, but on the other side (50A) the converter switch tanks the Voltage. There is good Voltage going to the converter plug. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime! If this isn’t it we may be missing a week of RV vacation.
Do you accept PayPal donations??
@@frostriver8686 I hope you have it cornered! I accept any donations LOL!!!
Question in my rv I only have power to outlets on the kitchen side no other outlets have power.. there is no breakers tripping do you think it might be the converter and not inverter. And how would I test that instead.. Or would it be a disconnect wire your thoughts please
Hi, Please tell me where I can get fuses for my Iota 45 converter. Thank you for this video, I am afraid to plug in without fuses in case I wreck something.
When are you checking all of this, are you hooked up to shore power or no power?