I appear to have fried the converter on my 2012 Sport 16 with my new portable generator.
If I'm plugged into shore power and I disconnect the batteries, I only get weak, flickering power for the
12V accessories, like the LED interior lights.
The breaker for the converter will turn the
12V accessories off and on again -- but "on" is the weak, fluctuating thing.
If I connect the batteries while on shore power, the
12V accessories work fine -- until the batteries die.
The batteries charge up fine from the tow vehicle while driving, or with the 12V charging circuit on the generator. But the inboard converter can't charge them.
I assume what did it was a surge, probably from connecting the generator before starting it up. Now I know better. Other people have reported similar problems.
I'm in the middle of a trip to Alaska, so I'm trying to figure my options.
My question is, how difficult, and time-consuming, would it be for a repair shop -- not an Airstream specialist -- to order and install a new converter?
Or should I just limp along -- charging the batteries by driving and/or with the 12V circuit on the generator -- until I get home?
Or does anyone know a good Airstream shop in Alaska?