can't figure it out 1986 Excella

[stuart mott]

air works lights don;t inside refergator does notwork either whats my problem i think it has somthing to do with my 12 volt converting over

[jdalrymple]

You are probably on the right track.

The 12 volt system powers about everything but the air conditioning, microwave and television.

There should be 12 volt car batteries somewhere and a 120 volt AC to 12 volt DC converter.

When the trailer is plugged into an AC outlet, the converter should supply power to run all the 12 volt appliances and charge the batteries. When not plugged in, the batteries will supply the power until dead.

Several possibilities to solve your problem.

Locate the fuse panel and make sure all the fuses are good.

Find the batteries and measure voltage with a handheld meter.

Bad batteries can load the converter to the point that it has nothing left to power the appliances. One can test this by disconnecting the batteries, keep the cables from shorting to each other or anything metal in the battery box and see if the lights come on.

If not, you may have a bad converter.

Other than dealing with some unknown modifications by a previous owner, this should get you started.


Regards,

JD

[Bill M.]

On a lot of 80's trailers is a switch that cuts the 12 volt converter off. It is a 110 switch like a light switch. Ours is mounted behind the sofa. If that switch is turned off the converteter does not work and the batteries run down. Look hard for a switch that you do not know what it does. If that switch is the problem as soon as you turn it on you will have lights and ref.

[stuart mott]

where is the convert located at

[Bill M.]

We have a front couch, 1987, 32, Excella. The converter is located in the center of the front of the trailer below the masonite shelf behind the sofa. I think you have to take the sofa out to access it. You can probably see it with a flashlight if you remove the drawer beneath the couch. The 12 volt disconnect switch (a rotary switch) is located on the right side of the trailer on that shelf. There is a 12 volt fuse box that is accessible right above that shelf. I am told that some trailers do not have the switch for the converter and that some do.
If the 12 volt rotary switch is in the off position nothing 12 volt works in the trailer. If the converter is switched off (110 light switch) everything works until the batteries die. I found our converter switch (my wife did) one night on the road when things went dim and then out. We keep a spot of tape over it now because it is located on the trailer wall behind the sofa on the left side and it gets hit when we are stowing stuff back there.

[stuart mott]

ok thanks i put battery charger on and the ligths all went on, i looks like i'm not getting a juice to the batterys to recharge what next

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by stuart mott

ok thanks i put battery charger on and the ligths all went on, i looks like i'm not getting a juice to the batterys to recharge what next

Did you find the converter and make sure it's getting 120v power? That's the first step, as previously mentioned. Some trailers like yours have a switched outlet for the converter (as mentioned above) and you should also check the 120v breaker panel.

If the converter is getting 120v power but no 12v output, check to see if it has a main fuse or two. If it's a Triad/Univolt type converter, you'll get better battery life if you replace it even if you can make it work.

[stuart mott]

thank you I will check it out let you know

[stuart mott]

I think I found it out side left half way down, where the gas is use to run the ice box . what do you think is the best to repalce it with and the cost

[arktos55343]

There are a lot of different converters out there. A lot of people like Progressive Dynamics. They are available at Vintage Trailer Supply.com or any other number of places. Pic one that will meet your needs (depending on how much 12v toys you need to power up in your TT).

[arktos55343]

Oh...and if you are replacing a Univolt, you will probably need to salvage the 12v distribution panel from the Univolt....or buy a new 12v distribution panel for the new converter.

[stuart mott]

I still can't find the converter box I found the switch in the very fron but not the box and hat does it look like?

[arktos55343]

If it's a Univolt, it is a big brick with wires coming out of it...guessing 8x8x12. In my '72 Trade Wind, it was street side rear behind the axels and would have been in a closet

[vswingfield]

Here's what one looks like in a 1983 Excella. The sofa and fuse panel door have been removed in the photo. The Univolt is the big (and heavy) gray thing in the middle. The black boxes on either side are the battery boxes that are accessible from outside.

[stuart mott]

ok thank you I know what to look for and have found it know how do I go about finding if it works are not?

[stuart mott]

i found it the light is green what does that tell me bad battery?

[jdalrymple]

Perhaps just a fuse.

Follow the large gauge wires from the converter box to the fuse panel. There should be old-style glass fuses that tie power from the converter into the fuse panel. These fuses will be in the panel.

JD

[stuart mott]

i lefted up the couch and there it is green lie and fan running it looks new it is IOTA DSL 55/iq4 is this new and i can'tget the fuse out

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by stuart mott

i lefted up the couch and there it is green lie and fan running it looks new it is IOTA DSL 55/iq4 is this new and i can'tget the fuse out

It's definitely much newer than your trailer, and it's a good converter.

The Iota DLS manual says in a steady on state means the charger is in "float" mode, but it doesn't say what that light should do if the converter isn't connected to batteries, perhaps it would "float" then as well.

Have a look at the manual (linked above) and see if that helps. It mentions fuses installed on the converter itself to protect from reverse polarity and perhaps a short.