Converter Down

friz · 12-23-2018, 09:17 AM

Parallax Series 7300. 2004 Keystone Cougar 5th Wheel. I leave it plugged into the power pedestal on my property. There is 110 vac at the plug. We just went through a 2 day rain storm. Went to the trailer yesterday and the converter fan was not running. No AC power in the trailer. At least the lights don't work. I didn't try anything else. Water on the kitchen counter above the converter. Don't know if the two are related yet but looks suspicious. Can't believe the converter is flat mounted on the deck but if flooding exists that would explain it. Multi-meter shows 46 vac coming out of the converter. Pretty obvious I am going to have to pull the converter to check it out and find the source of the flooding. I guess I am asking for any sage advice or experience with converter problems.

Thanks, Friz

**wingnut60** · 12-23-2018, 10:40 AM

If you find the converter is indeed faulty, suggest you check out the Progressive Dynamics models in your amp range--probably a better converter.
Would double-check everything first--no lights in trailer indicates bad batteries/tripped breaker/blown fuse since most lights are 12-volt. Need to plug into an outlet inside to see if you have any power at those to determine if it is indeed a 120ac problem or a 12dc problem.

friz · 12-23-2018, 04:56 PM

Okay, I got to the bottom of it. I wired the male cable end directly to an independent 120 vac source. Converter fan started spinning and a couple of 120vac lights came on. Looks like I have a pedestal problem and a roof leak. By the way the converter is about 3 inches off the deck. No water anywhere around.

Notanlines · 12-23-2018, 05:12 PM

Friz, I believe there are no 120V incandescent lights in your RV. You are in dire need of a top of the line surge protector that also will check your pedestal power at the same time.

friz · 12-23-2018, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notanlines

Friz, I believe there are no 120V incandescent lights in your RV. You are in dire need of a top of the line surge protector that also will check your pedestal power at the same time.

There are 2 120 vac light fixtures in the ceiling of the slide out. I have 13W LEDs (100W equivalent) installed. Surge protector may be a good idea. Never crossed my mind, thanks. Not easy but doable to install it between the cable and converter. Do you know of ones that are specifically designed for that application?

**wingnut60** · 12-23-2018, 09:32 PM

Progressive Industries makes a very high quality device in either 50a or 30a, portable or hard-wired. Tweetys.com usually has good prices on them.
Some of my older travel trailers and both my fifth wheels had/have 120v lights, usually only a couple, rest were 12v.

Notanlines · 12-24-2018, 07:00 AM

2 Hi-Lo's, 2 Montana's, one Raptor and now a MS and not one with a 120V light. Now I learn that it is a common item. Even an old dog.....

**wingnut60** · 12-24-2018, 11:29 AM

Not my experience--2 Suites, '05/'15, both have several AC lights; previous 7 TTs each had at least one, and several many, AC lights.
Your '17 does not have any regular-sized (not the small ones) house-look rocker switches?
Guess DRV has changed since '15. Mine is an RSSA also.

Notanlines · 12-24-2018, 05:14 PM

Nope, not one. I even talked it over with DW and she also agrees that we have none. And she agrees that none of the other had one either. I will say that our Raptor had a ceiling fan that ran on 120V and the light kit I put in it was 120v of course.

**wingnut60** · 12-24-2018, 06:58 PM

As you said, learn something all the time. Just assumed DRVs had some somewhere.
You got your wife to agree with you? Superman...

oldbird · 12-25-2018, 10:33 AM

Don't forget the ceiling fan, its 120 vac, on mine anyway.

**wingnut60** · 12-25-2018, 11:06 AM

Glenn, yeah, it is. Doesn't do anything anyway, no matter how it runs....

oldbird · 12-25-2018, 01:24 PM

That's for sure Joe! Merry Christmas

friz · 12-30-2018, 04:41 PM

End of the story. Finally turned out to be the bus bars (3) in the junction box. Corroded after years of moisture intrusion. I am surprised the 240v to the well pump wasn't lost. If it had been I would have jumped on the problem far sooner. Instead I was off on a wild goose chase in the camper. What I did lose was the 120v to the gate, 120v to the RV receptacle and 120v to an auxiliary plug. Anyhow, replaced the bus bars and put a small barrel over the junction box. Everything works 4.0. Sincerely appreciate all the help!

dmorse68 · 08-28-2019, 08:40 AM

Loved the “Superman” comment! Do either of you know if my 2018 DRV ‘s four scare lights are 120V?

Notanlines · 08-29-2019, 06:17 AM

Scare lights are all 12V.