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CoachmenKat · 05-25-2012, 06:27 AM

We have a 2013 Coachmen Mirada. We took it for its first trip and for the first 3 days, everything was great. On the fourth day, the lights dimmed and finally we had no power. When we started the engine, power was restored. Also, when we turned on the generator, power was restored for awhile, but fades. Did I mention that we were plugged in shore line to 50 amp?

garym114 · 05-25-2012, 06:37 AM

Good diagnosis.
The primary job of the converter is to supply 12v to the RV when plugged in, secondarily to charge the batteries.
It is doing neither. When you start the engine the coach batteries are charged from the alternator.
Either the converter is not getting the 110v to operate or the path from the converter to the 12v system is bad.

**CLIFFTALL** · 05-25-2012, 06:42 AM

The converter may be bad. There are fuses on the converter. I would check them and the voltage at the outlet the converter is plugged into and the breaker for that outlet.

Full.Monte · 05-25-2012, 06:49 AM

You may have a case of "new-coach-itis".

Before you replace the converter, check the "house" batteries. As they get used, they tend to lose their water

. You could try refilling any low battery cell with distilled water and re-charging. Did you get new batteries in your new coach? If it's a 2013 model, it should be under warranty and I'd take it to the dealer and get them to fix it. It's possible that the converter is overcharging the batteries, causing them to evaporate water, which causes them to lose capacity. The charger should be designed to turn itself way down when the batteries reach full charge. Good luck!

lt6215 · 05-25-2012, 08:30 AM

My friend had the same problem....Check outlet that converter/charger is plugged in at. If no power then breaker is thrown. His breaker looked fine but when we turned it off then back on , the outlet became live. All has been good ever since.
If outlet is live then check charger for fuses and internal breaker..
Good Luck

Jim_HiTek · 05-25-2012, 09:11 AM

And many converters are on a GFI circuit...kitchen or bathroom. Check that those are functional.

CoachmenKat · 05-25-2012, 10:49 AM

Thanks everyone. We'll let you know what worked. If I can ask a duh question, where is the converter? We know what it looks like but can't find it to check the fuse.

Luckiest Dreamer · 05-25-2012, 12:21 PM

Sounds like a reason to contact the dealer. A new coach should have a warranty.

3wheeljunkie · 05-25-2012, 01:51 PM

1. most converters are under the refer, you remove 2 screws and take off a panel to reval the converter. converter puts out 13.2v to the battery
2. Check your coach battery's water; mine were showing the plates when I got it from the dealer. My coach battery is under the stairs.
3. Check all connections on the battery, incuding the ground which usually bolts to the frame.
4. call dealer

good luck

Jim_HiTek · 05-25-2012, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoachmenKat

Thanks everyone. We'll let you know what worked. If I can ask a duh question, where is the converter? We know what it looks like but can't find it to check the fuse.

Some people have to follow the big red wire from the house battery solenoid under the chassis to where ever the manufacturer decided to put it. But cable costs money so they often put the converter as near the battery compartment as they can.

Gary - K7GLD · 05-25-2012, 04:03 PM

Most RVs, and most surely the NEW ones, have some sort of metering of the 12 volt supply, to check battery condition and voltage output - seems to me to be a reasonable place to start checking...

It's also pretty easy to use a voltmeter right at the batteries with shore power or generator running, to measure battery voltage to see if the charging circuit is working or not...

If all that is beyond the OP's level of expertise, it's dealer time!

CoachmenKat · 05-25-2012, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckiest Dre

Sounds like a reason to contact the dealer. A new coach should have a warranty.

We called today and have an appointment for Wednesday. Thanks to all the replies we feel so much better informed. This site is the best.

PapaBear1 · 05-25-2012, 04:17 PM

Let me guess. The converter is manufactured by WFCo? Mine (new) was overcharging batteries so badly, 14.7 V against a battery showing 100% capacity, that the water was not only boiled out, but acid has developed the proverbial bloom of white fluff at the drain hole out the plastic battery box, and drain outlet of the metal frame.

ga traveler · 05-25-2012, 04:26 PM

Your battery takes a charge when the engine is running. this tells you that you don't have a battery problem. Your outlet to the converter is the first thing to check. Find the converter. Plug in a tester or if you don't have one, plug in your hairdryer or any 120 volt appl. If you have 120 volts, check the output side of the converter. There is usually a 12V fuse at the converter, If this is good, follow the + (hot) output wire and look for a circuit breaker. reset the breaker.