New converter - lights are dim

[grd2mba]

I just recently had a new converter (intelli power 4600) installed at Camping World and figured my converter problems were over. Upon getting away for the Memorial Day campout, and plugging into shore power, the lights grew dim as the first evening went on, as though the lights were not being ran through the converter (110V transformed to 12V) but running through house batteries only. I always thought there would be a humming sound from the converter, like the old one, but the intelli power converter makes no noise at all. Could it be that we had a bad converter installed or could there be something else causing the problem of not converting 110V to 12V? All 110V plugs work fine.

[DRosedale]

I had the main board go bad in my converter right after I got the coach, replaced it and works fine. There could be a lot of causes to your problem. Are your house batteries good? Are they getting charged by the converter? Do you have a battery cut off switch, if you do is it on or off? When my main board went bad, they had me turn on a number of 12 volt lights, my converter fan would come on for a couple of seconds and then go off, the tech said it should stay on depending on how long I left the lights on and the condition of my batteries. Have you checked the voltage of your batteries. Not sure if any of this will help and it maybe they installed a bad converter. If you have checked everything out and can't find the problem, I would take it back to Camping World. Might say you a lot of time and frustration.

[ga traveler]

Before you go to the trouble of taking it back, there are a couple of things you can check. Plug in the RV and check for 120v at the converter plug. if OK next check the output fuses at the converter. If the fuses are OK. Next follow the positive output wire from the converter.(usually red, but if black and white wires are used,it will be the black) About 80% of the manuf. use a 12V circuit breaker. It will be a small plastic module with a little reset button sticking out. reset this button.

[tps0424]

Did you find out what the problem was? I am experiencing the same thing. I just installed 2 new Interstate 6volt batteries, and a new intellipower 9260 converter. The lights are dim and the panel says the batteries are only at 11.6 volts now compared to 13.6 when the batteries were first installed.

[texnet]

If you disconnect shore power and not run the generator do the 12vdc lights still work? If not then start looking for a 12vdc circuit breaker. If the 12vdc lights are still on without shore power/generator then the battery circuit is good and you need to take another look at the converter.

[Gary RVRoamer]

On the 9260, check the two fuses on the back or side. If either is blown, no output. And make sure you have 120v at the outlet the 9260 plugs into.

[rons6144]

Hope you get this reply, I realize it's pretty old post. Did your electrical continue to be good once you fixed the converter/main board etc. I have a 2008 Fleetwood Regal fifth wheel and the lights go dim, the converter comes on for a few seconds, and the lights brighten, then they go dim again. I have a new converter ordered. After all the posts, I'm worried it won't fix the problem.
Ronnie

["007"]

Welcome to irv2 rons6144.
Have you checked all the connections into your converter nothing loose, plus the grounds to the frame of 5th wheel, make sure they are tight and clean.
Your batteries need to have good tight clean connections also ground to frame and battery to your 12v fuse panel along with the ground from fuse panel possibly to frame also.
Wire lead connections will loosen up if they are screw connection with stranded wire on your fuse panel.
It may take some digging to find all your wiring going to frame of coach.
Your question would be better asked on a new thread because it might get lost on the end of another thread.
Enjoy the forums.

[tps0424]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rons6144 Hope you get this reply, I realize it's pretty old post. Did your electrical continue to be good once you fixed the converter/main board etc. I have a 2008 Fleetwood Regal fifth wheel and the lights go dim, the converter comes on for a few seconds, and the lights brighten, then they go dim again. I have a new converter ordered. After all the posts, I'm worried it won't fix the problem. Ronnie

Ronnie...
Everything has been good since I replaced the converter last year. Even over the winter when it sat for 6 months, it was ready to go when I was.

[grd2mba]

Sorry I should have let all know that my problem was solved. First, I found that the previous owner had hooked the house batteries up backwards, causing my batteries to become useless. Camping World installed new 6V batteries but noticed that the system was still not charging the batteries. What they found was that a relay located in the engine compartment. The bad relay was keeping the house batteries to not charge up, causing the lights to dim even when plugged in to shore power.

[rons6144]

Thanks for both of you for your replys. The new converter I ordered should come in today or tomorrow. Hope that fixes it. Do you think my fifth wheel has a relay like your motorhome which could cause the problem you had?
Ronnie