Community Forums

Flensburger · 09-26-2022, 07:39 AM

2016 Cougar 327 RES 5th Wheel. Where is the inverter located?
Thank you!!

**Camp CA** · 09-26-2022, 08:58 AM

If you have one, I would start by looking in the basement either attached to the ceiling (that is where mine is located) or wall or behind a wall.

TRNewsom · 09-27-2022, 08:14 AM

It will be close to the batteries.

**hamm2018** · 09-27-2022, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flensburger

2016 Cougar 327 RES 5th Wheel. Where is the inverter located?
Thank you!!

Depending on what equipment you have, you may not have an inverter?
Do you have a residential fridge installed?

The inverter takes 12VDC and converters it to 110VAC, with no residential fridge, you may not need an inverter.

Flensburger · 09-27-2022, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamm2018

Depending on what equipment you have; you may not have an inverter?
Do you have a residential fridge installed?

The inverter takes 12VDC and converters it to 110VAC, with no residential fridge, you may not need an inverter.

Well, after a long year trip, was doing some maintenance. Disconnected and took out the batteries. When reinstalling, believe may have connected them backwards as there was a pretty strong spark and wallaaaaa, everything went dead. In discussing with some folks in our area, was suggested the inverter may've gone bad. Now can't find it, if there is one. Thanks!!

**hamm2018** · 09-27-2022, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flensburger

Well, after a long year trip, was doing some maintenance. Disconnected and took out the batteries. When reinstalling, believe may have connected them backwards as there was a pretty strong spark and wallaaaaa, everything went dead. In discussing with some folks in our area, was suggested the inverter may've gone bad. Now can't find it, if there is one. Thanks!!

Okay, what kind of issues are you experiencing with the rig?

twinboat · 09-27-2022, 10:29 AM

Backwards connections will blow the reverse polarity fuses on your 12 volt fuse panel, if you have a converter/charger. They charge batteries and power 12 volt stuff.

Inverters power 120 volt stuff with battery power. Reverse polarity to it wouldn't stop your inside lights and pumps from working, just 120 volt stuff.

Find the circuit breaker /fuse box and look for a pair of 40 or 50 amp fuses and see if the wire inside the plastic is burnt.

Tightwadted · 09-27-2022, 07:34 PM

Inverter or converter? as others have said the inverter takes 12v battery power and changes it to 120 volt to run house type appliances. the converter charges your 12v batteries, and changes your 120volt shore power to run the 12v lights, water pump, etc. The inverter wants short heavy cables and will be close to your batteries IF you have one. The converter could very possibly be hidden behind your fuse panel, usually says WFCO on it, that where mine is. Every camper has a converter, inverters not so often, especially lower end liteweight ones. YMMV

Tex50 · 09-27-2022, 09:09 PM

I removed my batteries onetime after a long trip and took them home and used a charger to charge them up. I have installed batteries in dIfferent vehicles dozens of times. For some reason this time I hooked them up backwards. I noticed a large spark as you said. I started checking and my inverter would not work. I call their tech line and was told the reverse polarity would destroy the inverter. I had to replace the inverter.
Later I noticed that the converter was not charging the batteries. I checked the converter and noticed it had two fuses. They were both blown. I installed new fuses and the converter worked fine.

xc-mark · 10-01-2022, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flensburger

Well, after a long year trip, was doing some maintenance. Disconnected and took out the batteries. When reinstalling, believe may have connected them backwards as there was a pretty strong spark and wallaaaaa, everything went dead. In discussing with some folks in our area, was suggested the inverter may've gone bad. Now can't find it, if there is one. Thanks!!

Assuing you have a inverter its NORMAL if connecting the positive and negative correctly to get a big spark. Best to leave the battery switch off and connect then turn it on OR put a battery charger on the trailer for 10 seconds then turn on the batteries. There are very large compositors that need charging if its been off for more than 10 mins.

Flensburger · 10-06-2022, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamm2018

Okay, what kind of issues are you experiencing with the rig?

Been told by some could be de inverter yet searched, found none. Converter is new.
Problem is lights, slides, awning, "Cougar" control panel, don't work.
Micro, living room TV, GFI (in bathroom) do work.
Fuse panel sticker shows, Bedroom, Kitchen, Main, Awning. Which fuses are physically referenced on the panel?

Tightwadted · 10-07-2022, 06:18 AM

Lights, Slide, Awning are probably 12V powered; Micro, TV, outlets would be 120V. So what you are saying is 12V things don't work but, 120V do, therefore there is a problem converting the 120V to 12v, has to be a fuse somewhere, like Twinboat said. you will need to use a volt meter to find where the power is interrupted. Keep us posted.

GPCPL · 10-07-2022, 11:42 AM

As suggested, check the DC reverse polarity fuses on your convertor. Not sure which convertor you have, but attached is page 10 of the WFCO 8900 series convertor manual. Good luck troubleshooting.