Carson Power Converter

[Jrknakmuhs]

Just purchased a 1984 Jayco 1008 SG with the Carson Power Pack Converter. I have full power to everything on shore power but when I switch to battery I have nothing. I’ve read a few similar posts and was hoping someone has some insight. I have attached a few pictures. Battery is brand new and connected to the camper connection grid as shown in the pictures. I read this should be to the frame though for the negative. Is that true? Could that be my issue? New to camper ownership but have pretty good technical skills. There is another switch from “car or trailer” on the positive line. Not sure what this one does.

[JFlightRisk]

Welcome to the Forum!

Your converter is now 38 years old. For the cost of a new one, with new technology, I'd replace it, or have a shop replace it for you. I'd be surprised if they're even made like that anymore,

[Jrknakmuhs]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

Welcome to the Forum!

Your converter is now 38 years old. For the cost of a new one, with new technology, I'd replace it, or have a shop replace it for you. I'd be surprised if they're even made like that anymore,

Thank you very much. As I am new to this, what are some good brands, or good places to start looking. I see plenty of 30 and 50 amp converters that seem to have much more than I need. The camper has nothing major for electrical, just the lights and furnace. Possibly a 3-way powered fridge if I can't get the propane one to work but that's it. Thanks again.

[RogerR]

I recently changed to Lithium but just prior I thought I needed a new battery. Turned out to be something as simple as corrosion on the cable end. Just looked a little dark, not shiny. Cleaned it and back to normal. In past campers I have found the ground wire from the the bus bar inside were loose causing intermittent power. Also, got under and found the wire attached to frame covered in rust/corrosion. Another culprit is the fuse or breaker on the positive wire between the battery and where the cable goes under the trailer was either blown or had corrosion in the fuse casing.

Try starting at the battery ( check that it is charged with a meter and full of DISTILLED! water) cleaning and checking every connection and the ground under the frame both for the battery and the converter. If a specific item does not work don't forget it has a ground to check on.

Good luck and happy camping!

[JFlightRisk]

If your on board cable end is a 30 amp plug, you can get a 30 amp converter like this one'

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Converte...s/PD4135K.html

[johneliot]

If it’s less than 30 amps that will still work fine.

[HarvK]

Learning as I go and what I read up on, the lights are 12v, converter charges battery to work the lamps. Also it (12v) sends signals to 110v equipent to let that equipment know there's a back up(fridge) Heater is 115 or gas-12v). My converter went south so I'm looking into a new converter, separate but fed from the power panel. IOTA has a play by play article in doing this. So right now, our son lives in it so he runs a battery charger from the RV;s shore power outlets (outside 115v outlet) to keep the marine battery up. All seems to work until I get the new converter.

[johneliot]

From your pictures, it looks like your 12 volts for the trailer are on a separate block from the converter. If that’s the case, the converter from etrailer (as all newer converters) has the 12 volt built in. You wont’ need that block anymore. Your shore power, 12 volts and your charging are all taken care of by the converter. You won’t need a separate charger.