Converter fan running

[WhereStream]

Out on a trip, and yesterday when we set up the camp the converter’s fan started running and, hours later, was still at it.

I assumed two options: blown converter or bad battery (perhaps batteries).

Since the batteries were showing some age, this morning I tracked down some replacements and went ahead and swapped them out (a parking-lot operation outside an auto parts).

Now in a new campsite. Plugged in the trailer and ... converter fan still running.

I can see how maybe the converter is doing double duty bringing the new batteries up to a full charge and might need the fan to keep its innards cool.

Is that likely?

I hate to have to replace the converter, especially on a trip.

[GMFL]

Two things.
#1 The batteries were Lilly bad if they were flooded lead acid batteries. So the converter might have been pushing extra hard to charge a battery with a bad cell or cells and also support the DC loads of the trailer.
Easy way to check the converter is to disconnect the batteries and plug the trailer into shore power. If the DC loads are supported (i.e. lights, fans, ect) then the converter is likely fine.
#2 New batteries from Auto Parts store are probably charging up and given some time the converter should settle down. If you need to replace the converter on the road it will not be a hard job and can likely be done in less time than it took you to swap the batteries.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by GMFL

Easy way to check the converter is to disconnect the batteries and plug the trailer into shore power. If the DC loads are supported (i.e. lights, fans, ect) then the converter is likely fine.

Thanks, GMFL.

When I get a chance, I will disconnect the batteries and see what floats.

[SMKovalchik]

Does the inverter have to be on to charge the batteries. Just had ours worked on and this morning the battery is low (plugged into shore power).

[WhereStream]

I did not get a chance to disconnect the batteries before we had to hitch up and head out.

The converter fan never stopped blowing, and the battery voltage, per the push-the-button-on-the-wall thing, was reading 12.4 volts, barely up from 12.3 volts earlier.

Bear in mind that it usually reads 13.6 volts when shore power is attached.

So, not a hopeful situation, but ... down the road we go.

After a little more than two hours on the road we stopped for lunch. I went in to check the battery voltage ... now 12.6. The Ford was moving the charge in the right direction.

By the time we got to our campsite, another hour later, the voltage reading was 12.9.

Plugged in shore power and ... no noise, no fan roaring.

Now, at the end of the day, it is showing the usual 13.6 volts.

Business as usual.

It appears the new batteries needed some charging before the converter could settle down.

Or maybe something else ... batteries and battery charging remain a bit of a mystery to me.

[GMFL]

You need to check and make sure you do not have a loose wire on the converter or on the DC distribution bus in the front of the trailer

[jptweb64]

I have the same issue but with a different scenario. I replaced the Airstream Inverter with a 3000W Victron Multiplus. Shore pwer wiring into Victron "AC In" and from the "AC Out" back to the electrical panel. Everything works but when I'm in "inverter" mode on the Multiplus, the Airstream charger/converter fan runs non stop. Like wise the AC load shows nearly 400W. Only AC load is the microwave lights and the charger/converter fan. Consequently, I burn through my 400 amp hours of lithium ion batteries much faster than I should. The 400W thing has me completely perplexed. Picture attached

[Anthwp]

Originally Posted by jptweb64

I have the same issue but with a different scenario. I replaced the Airstream Inverter with a 3000W Victron Multiplus. Shore pwer wiring into Victron "AC In" and from the "AC Out" back to the electrical panel. Everything works but when I'm in "inverter" mode on the Multiplus, the Airstream charger/converter fan runs non stop. Like wise the AC load shows nearly 400W. Only AC load is the microwave lights and the charger/converter fan. Consequently, I burn through my 400 amp hours of lithium ion batteries much faster than I should. The 400W thing has me completely perplexed. Picture attached

jptweb64

Did you get this figured out? today I installed a 3000w Renogy inveretort/charger and noticed my electrical panel blower fan was constantly running while on batt pwr but stopped on shore pwr.

Trying to figured out why the ele panel blower running on batt pwr.