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Chris James · 08-20-2014, 04:53 PM

My converter feels hot, like stove hot. Is this normal or do I need a new one??
I cleaned it as well as possible but it feels too hot to be normal.

pasdad1 · 08-20-2014, 05:10 PM

Is there a cooling fan with your converter? If there is and it's not working, could be the cause for it getting so hot.

Don't think it should be hit enough to burn you! That sounds like a fire risk!

Skip426 · 08-20-2014, 05:12 PM

It is basically a big transformer, and they do get hot, what I don't see is any kind of a cooling fan , which my last two have had. That would be an advantage of a newer unit.
You could add a 12v , computer cooling fan to dissipate heat.
From your picture, I don't see any discoloration of the windings , the coated wires that are a bronze color in the photo, will turn black if they are overheated.

EDIT: Was the faceplate, that you've removed, the part that was burning hot, or are you worried about the coil frame it's self ?

Solask · 08-20-2014, 05:18 PM

There is a fan in the picture to the right. You can see one blade..

Skip426 · 08-20-2014, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rkh

There is a fan in the picture to the right. You can see one blade..

Collecting dust and not running at the time the picture was taken.

Note to self , enlarge all pictures and get glasses.

Fan operation needs to be tested, possible temp sensor controlled and not working.

EDIT: Discoloration of the circuit board, behind the fan , around the two blue resistors is worrisome too, and the marks on the circuit breaker label.

DieselTech39 · 08-20-2014, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rkh

There is a fan in the picture to the right. You can see one blade..

Doesn't appear to be turning though......OP Chris does the fan work/turn to blow air across the converter??

Chris James · 08-20-2014, 05:26 PM

It was working yesterday.
But the fan seems to have stopped.
I'll see if I can figure it out.

Chris James · 08-20-2014, 05:46 PM

Now should I replace the fan or just say to heck with it and replace the whole converter. Thye fan is cheap but a new converter would run cooler. ???

DieselTech39 · 08-20-2014, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris James

Now should I replace the fan or just say to heck with it and replace the whole converter. Thye fan is cheap but a new converter would run cooler. ???

Try the fan first Chris....may resolve the problem and is probably cheaper than the whole converter. JMHO

[Edit] Not sure if the new converter would run cooler or not.

vsheetz · 08-20-2014, 06:00 PM

If fan bad, replace fan. If the fan has been out for some time, the unit mat experiences premature end of life sometime in the future... or may not...

Chris James · 08-20-2014, 08:19 PM

I set a small fan on the floor blowing into the converter compartment.
I'll have to wait for my next week end to see about the fan in side.
It must have just quit today.

okcnewbie · 09-02-2014, 12:05 PM

I have a 1996 Tioga and just replaced our converter. I was also worried about the heat I was feeling around the unit. We found our replacement at bestconverter.com. We had a Magnetek 6300. While installing I moved the converter to it's own breaker. Now I can just turn off the converter if I want to just use solar. The new one will also do a better job of charging your batteries. (Not as good as solar but better than the old Magnetek.

Skip426 · 09-02-2014, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcnewbie

I have a 1996 Tioga and just replaced our converter. I was also worried about the heat I was feeling around the unit. We found our replacement at bestconverter.com. We had a Magnetek 6300. While installing I moved the converter to it's own breaker. Now I can just turn off the converter if I want to just use solar. The new one will also do a better job of charging your batteries. (Not as good as solar but better than the old Magnetek.

okcnewbie

and thanks for you input on this problem.

pagosajoe · 09-02-2014, 12:19 PM

If the fan isn't working, that would be an issue needing immediate repair. I'd be concerned over the two resistors on the vertical panel on the right side, since the circuit board exhibits a brown discoloration, indicating overheat. Those two resistors may have been damaged as a result. Bet of luck resolving the problem...