Electrical problem

[Dhuber]

I’ve been chasing down an electrical issue on my 2000 Jayco Designer. The converter is not receiving power at the outlet. The DC works only when the engine is running. All of the AC is working and I’ve checked the fuses I can find. The house battery is okay and I’m plugged in. Any ideas? TIA

[Vicr]

Do you have a multi meter?
Is there power at the receptacle in the pedestal?
Is there power at the incoming lugs of the 120v side of the converter?
Is there power at the load side of the 120v breaker that feeds the converter?

You're not giving us enough information to help you.

[Tgroves526]

Hello, The converter's job is to make 12VDC for all of the trailer. Do any of the 12V lights work? Is this only one outlet? cigarette lighter outlet? water pump is also 12VDC . Plugged into pole? 120VAC > 12vdc = Converter More info is needed Ted

[Dhuber]

Yes, I have a multimeter. Yes, power at pedestal. Yes, power at all AC breakers. No power at the outlet designated for the converter. No power at any of the DC systems unless the engine is on. When the engine is running, all DC lights and appliances are working fine. I did try plugging the converter directly into an extension cord and still nothing. I was pretty sure it was the converter, and that still might be it but that outlet is completely dead too. Thanks all!

[Vicr]

Are you referring to an Inverter? Converters are one unit with the electrical panel/ fuse panel and don't 'plug into an outlet'.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Vicr

Are you referring to an Inverter? Converters are one unit with the electrical panel/ fuse panel and don't 'plug into an outlet'.

In 2000 they did. They did not use the one piece power panels back then.

[Dhuber]

Yes, thanks Grumpy. It is old but definitely the converter.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Dhuber

Yes, thanks Grumpy. It is old but definitely the converter.

If it doesn't work when plugged into an extension cord, either it's DOA or has an internal fuse that blew.

[JimD]

You may have multiple problems. You stated no DC unless the engine is running. That means the engine alternator is the source of 12 volts. So, where is the battery? It should be the 12 volt source and the alternator should be the charging source for it.

The converter is the charge source for the battery plus it can be the 12 volt source on its own. Since there is no input and output from the converter and you tested it on an extension cord, it indeed may be bad. Strange that there is no power to the outlet it is plugged into plus it doesn't work on an external connection. Two different problems here - dead outlet and dead converter.

Have you done anything with the cabling to the battery or is there a battery disconnect switch? I would first diagnose why the battery is not supplying power to the system, fix that and then work on the converter. I would also test the converter on an extension with the output disconnected. If the output was dead shorted due to a cable in the wrong location it may prevent it from operating at all.