RE: 12v problems?

[garym053]

 
I may have asked this question before, if so, bear with me I turn 50 in 3 weeks! Anyway, I m trying to help my BIL with an electrical problem and I m stumped!
 We both have 1999 Jayco Qwest 10 pop-ups. His 12v lights work when battery is hooked up and shore power line is NOT plugged in to a power source. If he plugs his shore power line in, the 12v circuit goes dead! I ve checked loose wiring, fuses, circuit breakers, but nothing seems wrong. Is it likely to be a bad converter? A dealer said something about disconnecting battery and removing fuses then reinstalling fuses and connecting battery to reset it, but this did not work either! Thanks for any suggestions!

[mike4947]

 garym053
Since it seems to revolve around the converter; If it were me I d find the data plate on it get any and all info off it and first try the manufacturer s web site for help. If that didn t work email, snail mail, phone call.

[MtnCamper]

 garym053
How about switching one with the other, and see if that works. I d try his in yours first. That way if something burnt his out, yours will still be OK, Just reinstall it.

[AustinBoston]

 garym053
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[ForestCreature]

 garym053
Is there ele power ? Have you tested the power cord for breaks? We just recently had a simular problem (no AC or DC) and the power cord had a break as well as the fuse block was not holding the fuses tightly. We got the fuse block at the auto parts store.
 Got the conveter working for about 60 bucks in all.
 We replaced both and all is well. While we were at it we moved that dreaded internal fuse to a more accessible spot (if it ever blows again changing it will be easy).

[garym053]

 garym053
No, It can t be the cord. I should have mentioned that when it s plugged in there is 120v power at the outlets, just no 12v power (Lights). I keep coming back to a bad converter or a broken or loose wire on the 12v side of things, BUT doesn t the 12v power from the battery feed back through those same wires? It s almost got to be a relay of some sort in the converter that switches when 120v power is supplied to the converter. I m assuming it 9the relay) would activate, allowing a charge to be applied to the battery and suppling the 12v power to the lights from the converter, rather than the battery. Maybe I will tear into it a little deeper this weekend!

[LKaskel]

 garym053
Gary,
 I like your troubleshooting process here.  I would think the converter does switch between it s source (A/C or battery) for 12v power in the PU.  If it s like mine the " switching"  device is solid state like a triac or transistor instead of a relay.  I would forget the dealer here and call the company that made it and ask for some help unless the PU is still under warrenty.  I bet you ll find the converter is bad though.  As a test try disconnecting everything but the battery and A/C supply and check it s function with a meter.  It would be interesting to know if you can really " reset"  a converter as the dealer said.  Let us know how it turns out!

[Gone-Camping]

 garym053
Well, if you re loosing the 12v battery when shore power is applied, then it sounds like the relay is working, and kicking the battery juice off. Sounds to me like the converter is just not putting anything out. A simple 12v test light in the right places would certainly help, a multi-meter would be better. That converter is nothing more than a step-down transformer and a rectifier. From what you re describing, it sounds like the transformer is not putting out. It s possible it could have an internal fuse that is blown too....
 
 The advice about placing his converter in your trailer and seeing what happens sounds like a good idea. I wouldn t put yours in his though, at least not until you figure out what s wrong and why....

[garym053]

 garym053
Thanks to all of you for the advice. The converter is not under warranty and they (My BIL & SIL) brought it up and left it with me this past weekend so maybe I ll get a chance to take a few hours off from work and check it out.

[garym053]

 garym053
Just in case someone else has a similar problem, I heard back from Jayco today and they suggested that when checking the converter, there is an internal 5 amp fuse that may need to be changed to 7 amps. Will be checking that this week!