Converter fan running constantly!

[sjski]

We’re getting ready to head out on a 2 week trip on Monday. My husband plugged our 2018 23’ into our 110 so we could cool down the fridge with the LP gas. The converter fan started running and is still running 2 hours later. We’ve never noticed this on previous trips. We have fully charged batteries, it’s only 67 degrees and cloudy...is there a problem? We don’t want it to run for 2 weeks straight and burn up.
Thoughts???

[overlander63]

Are you sure the batteries are fully charged? Did you check them before plugging in?

[Al and Missy]

How do you know your batteries are fully charged? Battery voltage is only a good indicator of charge when the batteries have been idle (no charging or discharging for a couple hours).


Check your batteries for water level and temperature. I had a battery that went bad and was taking full current from the converter. The fan was running all the time. The battery was low on water and hot.


Al

[PKI]

Look for other loads.....verify the hot water heater is turned off, easy switch to bump on.....is the hatch storage light on, seems to get activated by stuff or me.....outside lights on, door step and scare light, easy to hit instead of interior overhead light switch.....woofer speaker turned on?

Yes, what was said above. Are you sure? Takes about two days of gentle charging to get full up on our Interstates and that's with an updated PD charger. Would not be surprised at a 2 hour run.

It was my understanding that the OEM exhibited that function...fan running.... more than converters with different charge profiles, but I may have dreamed that to justify not buying a new 23. Like that ducted air.

If not comfortable by tomorrow morning, call dealer service. Pat

Note - our battery issues were off and on until we replaced the OEMs. Good place to start.

[Moflash]

When batteries are discharged a couple of hours running is not unusual.

[sjski]

We had a bad battery and so replaced them both in june 2019, 2 new Interstate deep cycle, charged from the dealer. We don't keep the trailer plugged in ever, only the day or 2 before we leave. Traveled for a week in June/July, no issues.
We will check batteries again and all possible draws.

[Alumaholic]

Your converter/charger doesn't think so.
Right about now I would take my whiz-bang battery tester and determine the "true" state-of-charge of each battery.

If they really are "fully" charged (Something around 13 volts), you will need to systematically determine why the converter/charger thinks otherwise.
Hope this helps!

[Alumaholic]

Kindly remember, batteries must be completely recharged every 3-4 weeks.
Even new batteries sitting in an Airstream sitting in storage through the month of July and part of August can discharge.
Remember, your propane detector never sleeps even though the battery isolation switch may be in the "Store" mode.

[Jim A]

My converted fan tends to run a lot when the interior temperature is high, 90-100ish F. Not unusual when the trailer is plugged in but nothing running during high summer. When the interior is cool, the fun only seems to run now and then, hardly ever notice it. Of course when not plugged into shore power, it doesn't run.

[sjski]

All is well! We stopped in to Haydocy Airstream and they said it will run for awhile since it had been off power for a month. When we got home, it was off. Water level in batteries was good.
Thank you, everyone, for your help! We still have a lot to learn!

[PKI]

We all have a lot to learn. It gets better as the adventure advances. If you have the time, reading prior threads can help fill in a lot of experience voids. At a minimum, those threads let you know that others have been similarly challenged.

Good luck with your trip. Pat

[smithcreek]

Originally Posted by sjski

All is well! We stopped in to Haydocy Airstream and they said it will run for awhile since it had been off power for a month. When we got home, it was off. Water level in batteries was good.
Thank you, everyone, for your help! We still have a lot to learn!

Off the top of my head I don't recall how long, but it's pretty common knowledge that the parasitic loads in your AS, like the propane detector, will drain you batteries in well less than a month without charging. If you do that a number of times you will also significantly decrease the life of your batteries. A cheap smart charger like the Genius is a good thing to buy.