Need help finding converter

[ldonohoe]

Hello,
I am new to this forum and new to owning a 5th wheel. We purchased a 1990 Holiday Rambler Monitor 29 foot. We were told that the refrig. did not work but everything else should work.

My questions:
We plugged the trailer in and have power to all outlets and the air conditioner works. There is no 12v power. We found the breaker panel and the fuse panel and there is no power to the fuse panel. We can not find the converter box it is a magnetek 3240 as per the paperwork. Also can anyone tell me do you have to have the battery conected for the converter to function? As I say my hubby and I are new to all this. He is a mechanic so it is something he does understand if we can only find it. Any help would be appreciated.

[Ray,IN]

Most convertors require a connected battery to operate. If RVWizard sees your question he will have a complete explanation.

[KIX]

I am not familiar with your particular unit. But, the converters are usually installed in the open meaning not inside a cabinet. Some of them have a plain looking metal cover over them. Hope that helps you locate it. But, in any case, you definitely need a battery connected for it to pass power to the lights, etc.

Also on the refer.......what's the particular problem with it? Or do you knojw yet?

[ldonohoe]

Thanks for the answer on the battery. We will get that hooked up and see what works then.

As for the fridg. we were just told it did not work. It is plugged in but the propane has been disconnected the lines are still there just capped. There were no lights that come on the fridg. when we plugged it in. We are gonna hook up propane and see what it does. If it lights and doesn't cool or does nothing at all. The people we bought it from thought it may be the circuit board. We looked at the board the fuse is good and no burn marks on the board. Any suggestions?

[Ray,IN]

I think reading this webpage: http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm
will help understand the working of the 12VDC portion of your RV electricity wiring.

[KIX]

Re: RV refer......
There is a heater(s) in the flue stack that provides heat to the refrigerant when on 120 volt. Some units have 1 heater and some have 2. Those heaters are resistance type heaters and are the only part of the refer that is 120 volt. When not on 120 volt the refrigerator operates on a small propane burner. For the burner to light and stay lit you have to have a spark to light the propane and then a sensor to signal the gas valve that the propane is lit. Otherwise the gas valve shuts off. The circuit board controls all this stuff and must have 12 volt to work. The fact that you have no lights, etc. while plugged into 120 volt really doesn't mean much right now. You must get a battery in the 12 volt system before you can expect it to work or start troubleshooting it.

[Dadeaux]

Many believe that the only way to fix a refrigerator is to replace it but most can be repaired. If you are close to a service center that is great if not contact a local RV repairman, usually a local RV park will have a number for them, most of these guys have seen just about every problem you can experience.

[wa8yxm]

Magnetek converters tend to be bolted to the back of the fuse box... But may be elsewhere, I do not know the 3240.

(It appears the 3200 line is "Stand alone")

http://www.hayseed.net/~jpk5lad/RV%20Information/MagnaTek%20Pwr%20Converter/rv%20power%20converter.html a web guide to repair

http://www.parallaxpower.com/3200/Pa...r%20Manual.pdf owner's manual

NOTE, A good idea with most magnetek converters is to visit http://www.bestconverter.com and buy an upgrade, Instructions for the install are in the "Extra Info" column on the left. (Scroll down)