Odd power converter behavior?

[Bill M.]

I am all fixed now. New power converter.

Apparently the old power converter was putting out the correct voltage but was not capable of producing much current. The batteries were dead. I checked the PC voltage with a meter and it seemed fine. I replaced the batteries and everything worked fine a few days. And then the batteries started discharging some again. I bought a little digital voltmeter to plug into the 12 volt outlet and the voltage seemed right (about 13.6). But when I turned on a fan or several lights the voltage would drop to 12.5 or so and the batteries would discharge. Turn the fan off and the voltage would soon go back to 13.6. My conclusion was voltage but few amps from the PC?

[PaulBristol]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

I am all fixed now. New power converter.

Apparently the old power converter was putting out the correct voltage but was not capable of producing much current. The batteries were dead. I checked the PC voltage with a meter and it seemed fine. I replaced the batteries and everything worked fine a few days. And then the batteries started discharging some again. I bought a little digital voltmeter to plug into the 12 volt outlet and the voltage seemed right (about 13.6). But when I turned on a fan or several lights the voltage would drop to 12.5 or so and the batteries would discharge. Turn the fan off and the voltage would soon go back to 13.6. My conclusion was voltage but few amps from the PC?

Please post make and model number of the converter/charger or inverter/charger.

1988 technology was less capable. High current solid state devices were extremely expensive. Your guess is probably correct. The specifications for the converter will confirm if the guess is correct.

12.5 volts on lead acid batteries is near fully charged. This should not cause a problem. However if battery voltage drops below 11.8 volts, it could take many hours, maybe even a day or two to fully recharge.

[Bill M.]

The problem power converter was a Boondocker converter that was installed 5 or 6 years ago to replace the original Univolt converter. My point is that I do not think the batteries should discharge enough to notice when plugged in to shore power all the time. The new converter works the way I think it should. I turn on a fan and the voltage does not drop much and the battery does not run down.

[Wazbro]

I have seen a couple of times were there was a poor connection, where there was voltage with no or light load then nothing with a heavy load. Of course the bad connection could be inside the old converter and possibly not really repairable.

[PaulBristol]

Thank you for posting the resolution. I am sorry I missed it in your post. I learned to read more carefully.

[Bill M.]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

I have seen a couple of times were there was a poor connection, where there was voltage with no or light load then nothing with a heavy load. Of course the bad connection could be inside the old converter and possibly not really repairable.

That certainly seems like what was happening. I suspect the problem was in the converter because the connections to it seemed tight when I took it out and the new one works fine without me checking the rest of the system.

[CBWELL]

Nothing seems to last as long as the old Univolts! I have replaced a couple of WFCO converters after only a couple of years. My "go to" units are Progressive Dynamics, which seem to stand up a lot longer. It will be interesting to see the life cycle of the new converters with the tremendous increase of electrification in newer trailers and the drastic increase of battery capacity required to run all the electronics in the newer trailers.

[cicho69]

Disappointed with all of the junk left behind from assembly!
Recently accessed the Power Converter on a 2024 Globetrotter FBQ. Large amounts of wood shavings, insulation material and metal bits, all waiting to be sucked through the cooling fan system! Solar controller just thrown on top of the converter. Numerous other locations throughout the trailer with debris just left around. Why wouldn't they vacuum out areas they work on??

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by cicho69

Disappointed with all of the junk left behind from assembly!
Recently accessed the Power Converter on a 2024 Globetrotter FBQ. Large amounts of wood shavings, insulation material and metal bits, all waiting to be sucked through the cooling fan system! Solar controller just thrown on top of the converter. Numerous other locations throughout the trailer with debris just left around. Why wouldn't they vacuum out areas they work on??

If I ran Airstream, this — adding a vacuum to every work station —*would be high on my reform list, along with more intelligent wiring.

[BGClassic]

Originally Posted by cicho69

Disappointed with all of the junk left behind from assembly!
Recently accessed the Power Converter on a 2024 Globetrotter FBQ. Large amounts of wood shavings, insulation material and metal bits, all waiting to be sucked through the cooling fan system! Solar controller just thrown on top of the converter. Numerous other locations throughout the trailer with debris just left around. Why wouldn't they vacuum out areas they work on??

Lol. Wait until you drop the underbelly access panel, or under the freshwater tank. In comparison, we had a Leisure Travel Van (LTV) Unity before the AS. It was spotless in those tucked away recesses. Attention to detail.

[ALUMINUMINUM]

Maybe they were napping when yours came through...

[cicho69]

Also had an LTV (Serenity) Very high level of attention to detail and pride in their workmanship. Both Airstreams we owned were fully of debris where assemblers thought nobody would notice. Vacuums at each Airstream workstation would definitely help.