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kmrice · 01-20-2025, 06:18 AM

I don't think my converter is working; my batteries are not charging on shore power.

Does anyone know where the converter on a 2022 Airstream Globetrotter 23FB Twin is located? And where the fuses for it are?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

F250 · 01-20-2025, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmrice

I don't think my converter is working; my batteries are not charging on shore power.

Does anyone know where the converter on a 2022 Airstream Globetrotter 23FB Twin is located? And where the fuses for it are?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

I don't have the same model as you, but I experienced a similar issue with my converter not working and my batteries not charging on shore power. Based on that, my educated guess is that your converter is located in your breaker/electrical panel.

In my case, I ended up having to replace the converter. To keep the system running in the meantime, I hooked up a 12-volt trickle charger in "supply mode" to maintain power to the batteries and keep the trailer functional.

I ordered a replacement converter from BestConverter.com, and they shipped it quickly. Replacing it myself took all day and was a bit harder than I anticipated, so keep that in mind if you decide to DIY.

If your trailer is still under warranty, I’d recommend reaching out to your local Airstream dealer first—they may be able to resolve this for you.

Eduprey · 01-20-2025, 08:29 AM

I have a 25’ GT with front twin beds (you did not state your bed style) and mine was under the access panel next to the night stand on the CS. When new I upgraded to a Victron 3000W Multiplus and it was too large for that spot and it was mounted under the CS twin bed.

kmrice · 01-20-2025, 09:57 AM

Thanks so much doe for the help.

Eudprey, please excuse my ignorance, but what is the CS? My GT is a 2022 Airstream Globetrotter 23FB Twin bed.

F250, I have lithium batteries. Do you happen to know if a normal trickle charger will work? I think I've read that lithium batteries need a somewhat higher voltage to charge than a car battery.

And, how do you get at the converter - do you have to remove the electrical console?

Thanks again for the help. As always, this forum is great!

JFR1800 · 01-20-2025, 10:12 AM

CS I believe stands for Curb Side. I replace mine as it would not charge the batteries unless I used the battery disconnect to off then back on, something wrong I believe in the charging programing of the converter. My solar would charge the batteries but you needed sunny days for that to work.

kmrice · 01-20-2025, 10:44 AM

Thanks, JFR1800. Right, curb side, of course! Thanks for straightening me out.

So, the solar power does not go through the converter, is that correct?

Thanks again.

F250 · 01-20-2025, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmrice

Thanks so much doe for the help.

Eudprey, please excuse my ignorance, but what is the CS? My GT is a 2022 Airstream Globetrotter 23FB Twin bed.

F250, I have lithium batteries. Do you happen to know if a normal trickle charger will work? I think I've read that lithium batteries need a somewhat higher voltage to charge than a car battery.

And, how do you get at the converter - do you have to remove the electrical console?

Thanks again for the help. As always, this forum is great!

I used this trickle charger, which features a Lithium mode that can be activated using a push-button switch when in trickle charge mode. Other chargers also have dedicated Lithium modes.

Here’s the charger I used: NOCO GENIUS10.

In my case, I used the Supply Mode during a trip, as I was working with deep-cycle batteries, and it performed well. My understanding is that Supply Mode delivers a constant 12V output without adjustments based on battery type.

When using this mode with lithium batteries, the outcome would likely depend on the Battery Management System (BMS) built into your lithium battery. It might be worth reaching out to your battery manufacturer to confirm whether this mode is safe and compatible with your specific battery.

cazual6 · 01-20-2025, 11:37 AM

you can check driver side under the dining seats.

kmrice · 01-20-2025, 11:54 AM

Thanks to F250 and cazual6. Will look under the dining seats and check my trickle charger, which is a NOCO GENIUS of some sort, I believe.

JeffKim · 01-20-2025, 11:57 AM

I'd guess the converter is similar to our 2023 25FBT GT. It's the box with all the fuses and breakers in it. Ours sits at the foot of one of the twin beds. You can check and make sure the breaker didn't trip.

There are other possibilities besides the charger that are easy to check, like a bad battery connection, or battery fuse. Ours are MRBF (cube looking thing) at the terminal in the battery box. You can pull them out and check continuity. Otherwise, getting a voltage from the charger can be a bit tricky to see if it's working since it's wired into the DC side.

The charger should be behind a panel at the bottom of the converter box. Ours has two wires going to the DC side and was hard wired to the AC side. To check it's output, you can pull the DC board, disconnect the charger wires and check the voltage. Maybe the simplest first step is to make sure there is a LED or some sort of light indicating the charger is getting power.

Also, while you're at it unless you know for sure I'd check the charger and make sure it's lithium compatible. There are a number of brands but you can get the model number and check. Some will also have a lithium setting, so just depends.

Sounds like you have solar panels, they have their own controller which connects into the positive bus bar and has nothing to do with the converter. Unless you have a solar cutoff switch or breaker (not standard), they will continue to provide power to the DC side.

Last, if you need to charge your lithium batteries get a charger made for lithium charging. It's good to have one around anyways. I have a Victron 5A which isn't the cheapest but I can set it via Bluetooth and it charges both lithium and lead-acid. Lithium batteries do not need trickle charging, but to keep the cells balanced they need proper charging with a two stage charging profile.

os1r1s · 01-20-2025, 12:00 PM

It may also depend on if you have 30A or 50A. If you have a 30A, it can actually be built into the 12V distribution panel. A picture of the distribution panel might help prove or dispel this ...

JeffKim · 01-20-2025, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by os1r1s

It may also depend on if you have 30A or 50A. If you have a 30A, it can actually be built into the 12V distribution panel. A picture of the distribution panel might help prove or dispel this ...

I don't think a 23' would have dual A/C, so should be 30A I'd guess.

os1r1s · 01-20-2025, 12:17 PM

Fair point. I just checked the parts manual and wiring diagram. It doesn't call out a converter for 30a so I'm guessing part 514004 is a combo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffKim

I don't think a 23' would have dual A/C, so should be 30A I'd guess.

kmrice · 01-20-2025, 12:51 PM

Wow! So much advice, so quickly. Thanks!

JeffKim

The charger is definitely lithium compatible; we checked this when we bought the trailer, new, and it has worked fine with our lithium batteries ever since we bought it.

I will check the fuse at the battery.

Looking at my electrical panel, there are two small lights on either side of a small switch and between the fuses and the circuit breakers. Both lights are on. See photo. Do you know what these lights mean? Do I have to pull this panel to get at the converter? Or is the converter integrated into the panel?

Thanks for setting me straight on the solar panel not going through the converter.

os1r1s

We are 30A. See the attached photo of what I think is the distribution panel.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

os1r1s · 01-20-2025, 01:00 PM

It is, but a bit close for me to see. Could you take a full picture open, closed, and with the cover removed?

kmrice · 01-20-2025, 01:18 PM

The photo I posted was taken Saturday. Today, only the right hand light is blinking, on about two seconds, off about two seconds. I think the battery was connected when I took the first photo, I've since turned it off (using the switch I had installed at the battery, not the store button).

os1r1s, I attach additional photos. Thanks again for your help.

os1r1s · 01-20-2025, 01:22 PM

If you look at the top left under the WFCO Power Converter with Distribution Panel. I'd bet that your converter is right behind the left side there. I'm not too familiar with them, but if you can see a model number there I'm sure we can figure it out. Either way, your converter is extremely easy to access because pulling that panel will let you get to it.

kmrice · 01-20-2025, 01:28 PM

Thanks. Before I do something wrong, let me ask: do you mean I should unscrew the two screws, one in each upper corner and I can then pull the panel?

os1r1s · 01-20-2025, 01:34 PM

Mine mounts a bit different, so I'm honestly not sure. Usually there are 4 screws, one near each corner. If you can find the model number of the WFCO panel, we can look it up. Make sure that the batteries are disconnected and the trailer is unplugged before doing any of this.

os1r1s · 01-20-2025, 01:36 PM

One thought ... Does your trailer have a Intellitec Battery Guard switch? It is usually a button with a green led near the entrance. If so, that will cause the converter not to charge the battery properly. If you have a multimeter, you can test this by looking at the voltage drop between various points.