RE: I have to " jump start" my converter...

[diggescampin]

 
The last time we went camping last year, I set up the pu and plugged it in. The 110 outlets worked, but nothing 12V was working. Put it up for the winter. Last weekend we drug it out of the garage and set it up. I accidentally discovered that if I plug the battery in, the converter starts running and everything works. I went into the garage and flipped the breaker off and back on...went into the pu and the converter was not running...went to the front...plugged the batt. in...unplugged it...went back into the pu and the converter was running. It will work as long as the power to the pu is not interrupted. I don t have to leave the batt. plugged in...just plug it in...unplug it to get the converter going. Any thoughts as to what the problem may be?

[mike4947]

 diggescampin
Let s see; I had one you used to have to toggle a front cover switch back and forth a few times to get it started; one that had a reset that had to be pushed 5-6 times before it would work, but not your exact problem.
 Most coverter problems like this I ve found are caused by what I call micro corrosion.
 Little tiny (smaller than I could see by eye) spots of corrosion that needed either movement (so they didn t line up) or else a jolt of electricity (as from you plugging in your battery) to work.
 IMHO you might have the transformer in the converter just starting on it s way out; or if you get lucky like I did once you ll find a connection that just needs a little tightening to correct the problem.
 If it can be opened and you got a basic notion of electricity and wiring you could carefully look and see if there s any obvious problems. I recommend removing it from it s location as it s a b*tch working with your head stuffed under a dinette seat unside down with one hand trying to get a light where you can see what s going on. (been there, done that, several times)

[diggescampin]

 diggescampin
Thanks for your input, Mike. I certainly hope it s just a loose connection. There are definately enough connections and splices there to make a loose one possible. Supposed to be a rainy weekend here. Good time to check it out.

[topcat7736]

 diggescampin
Terry,
 
 The converters used in Coleman trailers switch automatically from AC to DC and back again. But, during cold weather startups, a +12 volt output delay will occur.  The unit may need to warm up for 3-5 minutes before it actually functions. When connected to the battery, the battery supplies the entire 12 volts and also runs the fan inside the converter. It s the fan coming on that you associate with it s being " jump started" . Probably, by the time you got around to doing the " jump-start" , the unit had warmed sufficiently to work.
 
 If a switching problem is suspected, I would  take the trailer to our dealer & let him make sure it s ok rather than messing around with it and possibly voiding the warranty.