12 volt power surge...

nealtrombley · 11-21-2011, 08:16 AM

this started last summer camping at Disney..we hooked up 30 amp...cranked on the air and a few lights...and the 12 volt side started to get bright then dim..cycling back and forth about every 20 min...I went out and my plug into their service was very hot....when they arrived the ground in the receptacle was burned up.. they replaced it and it stayed cool while it slowed down the surging it never stopped....

as usual I forgot and went camping this weekend and the surging was back for the first day...we never ran the air due to nice weather....but Fri night I noticed the surging but saturday it had ceased...is it my Battery or Converter?

I plan on getting the battery tested...just wanted to check with you guys...it does not effect the 110volt stuff like AC/ Microwave...just the lights etc...

Terry · 11-21-2011, 09:36 AM

If I had to guess - it sounds like the converter is cutting on and off. Wondering if possibly it is overheating, then cooling and coming back on. It would be helpful if you had some type of volt meter you could check your 12 volt side with.

Seann45 · 11-21-2011, 09:46 AM

My bet is your converter is dieing. Probably killed the battery too.

David472 · 11-21-2011, 03:22 PM

I'm going to ask a question as part of this reply. Presumably, the converter is a 3-stage unit, meaning full charge, trickle charge and float. Could it be, the converter is switching between full and trickle charge, and you see this as the lights changing brightness? Could it be, a bad cell in the battery is the cause of the converter alternating between charging states?

Old Blue · 11-21-2011, 04:38 PM

I would think its the Converter not the battery. But disconect the battery and see if it still surges. your lights will work off the converter without a battery hooked up or at least all of mine have.

nealtrombley · 11-21-2011, 09:16 PM

thanks...guys I also think the converter is the culprit..will keep you posted

David472 · 11-22-2011, 08:10 AM

For reference purposes, attached is a scan of my converter manual which describes the normal voltage cycling used for battery maintenance. A weak battery could cause more frequent voltage cycling. I think it's worth testing the battery condition first with a hydrometer (each cell), and also the battery voltage under a load when it's removed from the trailer.

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