Need help finding the converter in my PUP

[jkevinva]

I just purchased a nice 2000 Coleman Westlake and am trying to troubleshoot an electrical problem (with battery fully charged can't get any 12V items to work).  I want to check the power converter fuses and/or breakers but I couldn't find the converter in any obvious location.  Can anyone tell me where the power converter is located in a 2000 Westlake?

[tlhdoc]

Welcome to PUT and the world of PU camping!  I don't know where your converter is, but it has a brown (usually) plastic cover and is located near the floor.  Usually near where your power cord comes into the camper.  Do the items work when you have the trailer plugged into household current?  If they do it is not the converter.  The converter changes 120 volt AC power to 12 volt DC power to run the appliances in the camper.  The converter also has 12 volt fuses (what I am assuming you want to check).  The circuit breakers in your converter are only involved with the regular household type outlets in your trailer.  I hope this information helps you find your converter.  If it isn't your converter there are 2 other things that are normal problems.  One is the 12 cut off switch.  It is normally located on the bottom section of your galley.  The galley has to be set up for you to have 12 volt power to the ceiling lights and water pump.  This switch has been know to go bad.  The other common problem, and only effects the lights, is that the connector to the ceiling lights may have come unplugged.  It is located on the outside of the trailer on the roadside rear corner of the box of the camper.  Where the bunkend and box tenting are zipped together there are a set of wires going up the the roof.  There is a white plastic connector that you can check.

[oreo57]

it should be road side under the bench seat brown in color next to drawer under said bench seat. Welcome to PUT

[jkevinva]

Thanks for the advice.  When I get a chance to open up the PUP next weekend I will check out the converter, kill switch, and other connectors and let you know what I find.

[PattieAM]

I have a Fleetwood Niagara, and the converter is on/in the base of the L-shaped sofa, with a hinged door.  In it are auto style blade fuses (a witch to grasp and pull out without a fuse puller) as well as circuit breakers.

My 'master' switch is inside the entry door on the right cabinet wall.  My in-line kill switch is on the rear bunk wall, with a bar to activate it (bunk must be fully set up to make proper contact).  In many PUP's the in-line kill switch is on the fold over galley.

[jkevinva]

Thanks to everyone who replied and offered help.  Went camping last weekend and, just as described, I found the converter under the bench seat.  Two weeks ago when I had been looking for the converter in the dark with a weak flashlight I saw it but thought that it was a speaker!

Anyway, the problem was just a blown 20 Amp fuse (the one labeled "Battery Protection").  I replaced the fuse and all of the 12V items are working fine now, including the propane gas leak detector which makes me sleep easier.  I appreciate all of the helpful folks on this forum, and I'm sure I will have more newbie questions for you as I explore more of the camper systems.

[tlhdoc]

I am glad it was an easy fix.  Enjoy your camper.