Converter Problem - no 12V power in the RV!

[TG2500]

Hi - we had several power outages/brownouts today at my house during which my new International 19' was hooked up to my house (i had a dedicated 30amp circuit put in) while I was away at work. Now i don't have any 12V power in the trailer. I check with my voltage meter and there is power at both batteries outside but, when i tried to check the voltage on the 12V distribution panel in the converter I get nothing. It also appears that the converter isn't working (no fan), the battery disconnect switch is also dead (no red light and switching it up or down does nothing), and the fridge won't operate either.

All the 100V outlets work fine as does the microwave & the TV. One of the 30amp fuses on the 12V panel was dead (the one on the left hand side facing the converter) and i replaced it still but nothing works.

I cycled all the 100V circuit breakers as well and the 30amp breaker in my house.

Any ideas on what might be wrong? Are there any breakers/fuses between the batteries outside and the converter panel in the converter that may tripped or blown?

It would somehow seem that the converter is not working or that something in the converter isn't working right.

Thanks in advance for any insight/advice you might have.

[TG2500]

Another thought - could it be the batteries are so low they are somehow inhibiting the inverter from working? If i disconnect both batteries, should the inverter still create/provide 12V power to the trailer?

[overlander63]

There are fuses on the battery relay, one of them can be blown, or the relay could have burned out. If the relay works, you should have battery power, even if the converter no longer works, as long as the batteries are charged.

[VIKING]

Zev, I would go straight to the dealer with a brand new rig like yours, and take advantage of the expertise they have (and the warrantee). If it's not as simple as a fuse or breaker Then it's probably gonna cost you something to replace whatever fried.

Rich

[richinny]

is there a fuse on the converter itself?
what is the voltage at the battery?
are the interior lights bright or dim?
did the fuse you replaced blow again?

if you go to the dealer, pick me up, i'd like to go shopping :-)

[TG2500]

on my way to the dealer this am - thanks for the advice

[TG2500]

turns out the problem was unrelated to the recent storms and just a coincidence that it happened right afterward. The converted ended up being fried out. The dealer (Colonial RV in NJ) promptly replaced it and, when they pulled it out, they discovered that a filter type cover had been duct taped over the cooling fan outlet on the converter thus blocking the flow of cooling air and leading to the eventual failure of the converter which, in turn, created a short circuit back at the main thermal breaker where the battery enters the RV under the dinette rendering the entire 12V system inoperable.

The thermal breaker and converter were replaced in about 45 minutes time and I was back on my way. Can't say enough nice things about the Colonial Airstream service department - they were great.

Now our first night camping in a nearby campground before the long ride back home tomorrow out to eastern Long Island.