Help!

[GSHenn]

We have a travel trailer. Inside lights work but fridge and thermostat for a/c furnace and fan doesn't work. We have checked all the breakers and they seem to be ok. Any suggestions out there?

[Francesca]

Not much info, so I'll shoot in the dark here:

First thing:

If you're plugged in to shorepower and only the lights are working, they may be powering off the battery. Is there 110v power anywhere in the trailer (outlets etc.)?

How old is the trailer, does it have a converter, and if so does it automatically switch to shorepower or is it manually switched?

[GSHenn]

It is a 2006 coachman spirit of America. Yes the other outlets work. It is currently plugged into our home. Yes it has a converter and must be manually switched.

[Francesca]

It really sounds like the converter isn't "converting"...are all other 12v fixtures (water pump, e.g.) working?

The thermostat/furnace fan may be 12v but the fridge probably runs directly from 110- does it need to be manually switched, too, or is that automatic when on shorepower?

[GSHenn]

We didn't try the pump as we had no water in the tank. It does switch automatically when connected to shore power. Should we try the pump? The microwave works too. If the pump doesn't work then is it the converter? It's funny, on our last trip out last fall everything was fine . Went to bed sated at night, woke up Sunday morning to cold trailer!

[Francesca]

The microwave is probably strictly 110, so I'd expect that to work. I asked about the pump 'cause it sounds like what's not working is anything 12volt. The fridge probably has a 110v setting, but a 12v thermostat, so it won't work on 110v without 12v power. Furnace fan/thermostat are probably also 12v...

Would it hurt the pump to switch it on for a second even though it's dry? Just long enough to hear it run would tell us something...

[GSHenn]

No pump didn't turn on!

[Francesca]

Well...sounds like the converter isn't putting out 12volt...

Here's another quick-n'-dirty:

If you unplug from the house, effectively going on battery power only, does the pump work?

[jesilvas]

You need to find the converter. Stop using appliances as references, ESPECIALLY if you don't know if they are 120VAC or 12VDC. RV refrs use 12V to run the circuit board but 120V or LP to circulate coolant. Furnace and WH are both 12V. AC is 120V, but the thermostat uses 12V power. Too many things use multiple power sources to just use them as reference points.
If only your 120V appliances/lights are working, and none of your 12V lights/appliances are working, I'd think converter but could be other things.
Your "breakers" you're talking about, are they 120V or 12V? There is a difference and one for each. Fuses are usually 12V and breakers are normally 120V.
You need to physically get to your converter. Make sure it is receiving 120V. If it is, is it putting out 12V power? Should be up near 13.5V actually.
If it is not, check to see if it has any blown 12V fuses. If not, replace it.

[Francesca]

Originally Posted by jesilvas

Make sure it is receiving 120V. If it is, is it putting out 12V power? Should be up near 13.5V actually.
If it is not, check to see if it has any blown 12V fuses. If not, replace it.

Not all converters will tell you that just by being looked at, and not everyone knows how to make the test or has a meter to do so...that's why we're using the appliances as reference points!

[GSHenn]

The pump works if we are connected to the truck as it did when we put the anti freeze in it. How do you test the converter if its putting out 12 volts? We have both breakers and fuses and tested all of them.

[jesilvas]

Just saying how it needs to be tested so parts aren't thrown at it.
You get a cheap meter to test it.

[LeeB]

If it works plugged into the truck it is getting 12volts FROM the truck. I agree sounds like the converter is shot........

They make cheap 12volt tester you can get them at a Auto store....

[denochs]

Many converters/inverters have a push button fuse on them. Check to see if it has one and push it in.

Dave