Lights Dimming

macnkat · 11-09-2011, 09:05 PM

We bought this 2001 Bounder 33R in May and during the summer at all the places we have stayed the lights seem to go bright all of a sudden. This is on shore power everytime. I always atributed it to the A/C cycling or something drawing a larger amount of amps, but now that it's cooler, and we're not using the A/C it's still doing it. My bride and I are just sitting here reading and listening to some music with nothing else on...just a few house lights and the radio...and it's still suddenly getting bright.

Any bright ideas out there?

Ray,IN · 11-09-2011, 09:30 PM

I think the convertor causes that when the battery charger kicks in/out.

Skip426 · 11-09-2011, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I think the convertor causes that when the battery charger kicks in/out.

Invertor/charger cycling from low amp charge to high amp charge, would be MHO also, my last unit would show no signs of the change with 3 lights on, but as soon as you switch on a 4th the cycle would become apparent

ga traveler · 11-12-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macnkat

We bought this 2001 Bounder 33R in May and during the summer at all the places we have stayed the lights seem to go bright all of a sudden. This is on shore power everytime. I always atributed it to the A/C cycling or something drawing a larger amount of amps, but now that it's cooler, and we're not using the A/C it's still doing it. My bride and I are just sitting here reading and listening to some music with nothing else on...just a few house lights and the radio...and it's still suddenly getting bright.

Any bright ideas out there?

I have run into this a couple of times. Both times I found the output breaker weak. You have a breaker somewhere close to the converter. It is a auto reset breaker. If it gets weak, it will open. after it opens it cools and then resets. When closed your lights are getting 13.6 volts. Bright. when it opens your lights are running off the battery 12.7 volts. dim. If you read the dc voltage I think you will find this is your problem.

Billieg · 11-12-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler

I have run into this a couple of times. Both times I found the output breaker weak. You have a breaker somewhere close to the converter. It is a auto reset breaker. If it gets weak, it will open. after it opens it cools and then resets. When closed your lights are getting 13.6 volts. Bright. when it opens your lights are running off the battery 12.7 volts. dim. If you read the dc voltage I think you will find this is your problem.

2X.... That happened to me too. I'd check the breaker first.

bluepill · 11-12-2011, 12:34 PM

Yup. Cheap Digital meter at Wally World (under $15) reads both DC and AC. It's as basic a tool as a screwdriver for any RV.

macnkat · 11-12-2011, 12:55 PM

GA, is the breaker before the converter or after? My converter is in the first bay on the curb side aft of the door and I can't see what's behind it, but I don't feel any breakers.

ga traveler · 11-13-2011, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macnkat

GA, is the breaker before the converter or after? My converter is in the first bay on the curb side aft of the door and I can't see what's behind it, but I don't feel any breakers.

It is on the output positive side of the converter. Almost always it is close to the converter. This protects the entire output line. A couple of times I have seen it in the 12 volt dist. box.

George Z · 11-13-2011, 06:50 AM

I may be out in left field but, I would check the house batteries. They may be dying or have a bad or weak connection. The lights would brighten when charger is functioning and dim on just batteries. Just a guess

macnkat · 11-13-2011, 10:49 AM

George you may have hit on it. I have never checked to see how tight the connections are. We've only had it six months and the dealer we got it from cleaned the house batteries like new. The connections all look nice, but when I wiggled the negative crossover it was loose. Hopefully that will be it.

I don't have a manual for this unit so I'll have to check my online manual to see where the 12volt box is. There seems to be at least three separate boxes under the hood. The wires that run into the converter run straight into the bay and into the converter, then straight out of the converter and back into the area under the motor home. no breaker there...I'll keep searching..

George Z · 11-13-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macnkat

George you may have hit on it. I have never checked to see how tight the connections are. We've only had it six months and the dealer we got it from cleaned the house batteries like new. The connections all look nice, but when I wiggled the negative crossover it was loose. Hopefully that will be it.

Please let us know what you conclude as we all can benefit from the info. I have found many times electrical problems are caused by poor connections , weak batteries , or connection corrosion and they are the most economical to repair.