Short in converter?

[campingeyedoc]

Our one and only camping trip this year resulted in a loss of AC  power to the lights. The interior lights of the 2000 Coleman Mesa were on, as well as aux lights outdoors plugged in. A noise came from the converter according to the kids and then the lights dimmed (now on DC power). The outside lights (plugged into the ac plug) continued to work. I checked fuses and all seemed OK (although it sparked on contact with the terminals). I started taking the box apart. The circuit breaker was on and seemed OK. when I removed the circuit breaker another fuse was exposed which was burned out (6A, 250V), but replacing this did not help. The box also smelled like electrical burning. Why did the lights switch but not the plugs? Is the converter box shot? Can I replace, or is this a factory service thing?
Thanks for any responses.

[austinado16]

I'd say, if it smells bad, it is bad.  You can find them in the aftermarket and someone else here has posted a link to a good one a month or 2 ago.

[mike4947]

Contact the folks at http://www.bestconverter.com/ they'll work with you to find out what's bad and if it needs replacing. Replacing is a DIY as long as you can use a screwdriver and wrench.

[PattieAM]

Your question as to lights switching and not the plugs....the plugs/outlets only work when connected to 120v.AC, whereas your lights are 12-volt (battery and/or converter).  The converter changes the 120-v Alternating current to 12-volt Direct Current.

(Mark Polk has a very good article online on how Converters Work and an Amperage Rating for both 120 volt AC and 12-volt DC)  You might find more information at: //www.rveducation101.com