Converter box sparking

[genre]

Hello Folks,
I have a 2007 Viking Legend 2170st.
The converter is a WFCO 8725.
This spring when I plugged in the shore line, the converter box started hissing and sparking.
I opened the covers and the sparking is from the circuit board.
I was hoping for just a loose wire.
My question is...  Does anyone know why it would do this. I would like to figure out if it is just a defective box or if something is seriously wrong in the wiring elsewhere in the trailer. Last year the converter box failed. Even while plugged in, all 12v was going dead. It just kicked in by itself after a few hours. Maybe this was an early fail sign. Trailer is still in new condition and no modifications have been made to it. I am the original owner.
Do I replace the WFCO with another and risk a new circuit board fry-up?
Thanks

[coach]

replace the entire 'power center'

Ask Andy at bestcoonverter.com

[Jim K in PA]

I have the same camper, just a year older.  First, make sure the 12V leads to the battery are not shorted.  If they are clear, then it sounds like a terminal fault in the converter.  Replacement is your best bet.  The WFCO converters are pretty reliable from my experience, as this is the first failure I have seen.  I think bestconverter.com sells them.

[wavery]

Hello Folks,
I have a 2007 Viking Legend 2170st.
The converter is a WFCO 8725.
This spring when I plugged in the shore line, the converter box started hissing and sparking.
I opened the covers and the sparking is from the circuit board.
I was hoping for just a loose wire.
My question is...  Does anyone know why it would do this. I would like to figure out if it is just a defective box or if something is seriously wrong in the wiring elsewhere in the trailer. Last year the converter box failed. Even while plugged in, all 12v was going dead. It just kicked in by itself after a few hours. Maybe this was an early fail sign. Trailer is still in new condition and no modifications have been made to it. I am the original owner.
Do I replace the WFCO with another and risk a new circuit board fry-up?
Thanks

If the sparking was coming from the area of the circuit board, my bet is, you have a couple of wires that are trying to get together. However, the most common "Hissing" is from the transformer. If that's the case, you'll smell a burning odor. The transformer is cheap and fairly easy to replace. It may look something like this:

[genre]

Well folks
Thanks for the information.
I replaced the whole converter/ power center.
When I removed the old one to inspect it,  I found a small circuit screw had been trapped behind the circuit board. This has caused it to short out .
All up to par now.
Thanks

[wavery]

Well folks
Thanks for the information.
I replaced the whole converter/ power center.
When I removed the old one to inspect it,  I found a small circuit screw had been trapped behind the circuit board. This has caused it to short out .
All up to par now.
Thanks

Glad to hear that you resolved the issue. Now you have a "Back-up" converter. Kinda like insurance........you have it so that you'll never need it....:p

[genre]

I know about having 'Back-Up' items. The shed and storage are full of them. How come though when ever something breaks, I don't happen to have one?
Little mysteries of life I guess!

[wavery]

I know about having 'Back-Up' items. The shed and storage are full of them. [COLOR="Red"]How come though when ever something breaks, I don't happen to have one?[/COLOR]Little mysteries of life I guess!

The thing is......it broke because you didn't have one.....that's a law of nature...

[coach]

Would a switching power supply contain a transformer?

I doubt it!

[wavery]

Would a switching power supply contain a transformer?

I doubt it!

The transformer is what reduces the 110V down to 12V, without it, you don't have a converter .........so yes, it does contain a transformer.

[coach]

OK, real small transformers, not those big ones like the good ole days that get hot!

WFCO doesn't even repair 'em.