No 12v coming from Converter April 04, 2019, 11:34:53 am I’m kind of in a pickle. Plugged in at a Camping spot in Arizona (desert is lush and beautiful) in my 2006 MB Lazy Daze and it appears My Progressive Dynamics 4655 is not putting out voltage from the converter and of course not charging the batteries. The batteries work and charge great off the solar. Note that I upgraded from the original Parallax converter myself and “think” I did it correctly but I realize that my testing was probably flawed because the solar system made everything look okay to me. Note also that I got the PD 4655 from Amazon so there’s a question about the source I suppose. I am not sure exactly what steps to take now. Does this mean the converter is simply bad and I need to replace? Or, is there a particular fuse to look for? I looked through past posts and there are many on this subject but I couldn’t really determine my next step. Any suggestions?
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #1 – April 04, 2019, 12:56:22 pm I bought my Progressive power center from amazon and it is covered by warrentee - if you give them the serial number they can confirm if it is or not. Tech support is great (one guy) so give them a call.If I understand correctly, you are plugged into shore power (or running the generator) and the battery needs charging (what are you seeing that tells you this?), but the batteries are not being charged - is that correct?Do you have the wizard installed that tells you what the charger is doing (note this can be added on after the unit has been installed)? If so, what charging state is shown? Do you have a smart battery monitor? If so what are it's readings?Did you check the obvious stuff - breaker for charger is on? Charger was wired into the breaker?Let us know what you find out. JaneSent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #2 – April 04, 2019, 01:05:54 pm After I installed a PD 4645VL (which I bought from Bestconverter.com) in my Lazy Daze I had at first the same problem. Only after several phone calls to Randy from Bestconverter.com and after sending him several pictures we found out that I had wired everything wrong. The (rather thin) cables that come from the converter and need to be connected to the AC section of the power center (which is on the left side) are on the right side of the converter, and the (rather thick) cables that need to be connected to the DC section of the power center (which is on the right side) are on the left side of the converter. I thought it is clear that the connections go "straight" up while they have to go "over cross" up. After correcting this everything was (and still is) fine. Could it be that you made the same mistake? Do you have the installation instructions?KlausPS: Where in Arizona are you? I'm in Sedona.
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #3 – April 04, 2019, 01:13:18 pm Hi Jack. So of course the first question would be: What makes you think that your converter isn't providing power to the coach? What type of solar controller do you have, (should be HPV-22B), and how many watts of panel. (one or two at 85 watts each) Check to make sure that the circuit breaker providing power to the converter is turned on. Most solar controllers have built in displays of voltage/current from solar. What is your house batteries voltage? Do you have 110VAC at outlets in your coach? Do you have 12 VDC in your coach, lights and water pump? RonB
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #4 – April 04, 2019, 01:13:30 pm Thanks for responding so quickly. It is much appreciated and you have great questions. You are correct that it is not charging with electric hookups or running generator. I have a Xantax battery monitor and the voltage and percent of charge is going up as the solar charges it. No problem there. I disconnected the batteries and this lost 12v power even though I am plugged into electric. This verifies the converter not putting out 12v I believe based on what I read on this forum. Circuit breakers are in right position but I didn’t verify the circuit breaker is actually connected in back of it. When I get back to my LD thenI will remove panel to check that. Before I order a replacement I want to make sure that is really the problem and not something I’ve done. Thanks again
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #5 – April 04, 2019, 01:16:55 pm You guys are all so kind. I am very concerned that I installed incorrectly of course. We are at Usery regional park which is incredible. I will check and post further when we get back to the LD
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #6 – April 04, 2019, 01:17:36 pm I suggest calling Randy at Best Converter; he may be able to help, even though you did not buy the converter from them.
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #7 – April 04, 2019, 01:22:36 pm Jack, remember to unplug from the pedestal, and no generator, while you are working on the wiring. If you have a battery disconnect, use it. If you don't, Disconnect one of the terminals on the series battery connecting cable between the two batteries. Remember the solar will still be active and can provide dangerous power (not shock, but currents if shorted) even with everything else off. RonB
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #8 – April 04, 2019, 01:26:56 pm Since Ron raised the question whether you are sure that your converter is providing power to the coach I'm attaching a picture here that shows how to test this directly at the power center. I did also the testing wrong in the beginning because I innocently assumed that the red tip goes to the red cable and the black tip to one of the black cables. It was again Randy from Bestconverter.com who helped me to get this right.Klaus 1 Likes
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #9 – April 04, 2019, 04:44:31 pm In the photo of the 12-volt fuse panel, posted by Klaus, the two 30-amp fuses, in the top-middle of the panel are the converter's 12-volt output fuses, assuming the fuses have not been upgraded and located in a different position.Check the two fuses. Larry
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #10 – April 04, 2019, 05:44:22 pm Boom and thank you. Both the two fuses are blown which probably happened when I put in the new PD4655 (at least I hope that is when it happened. I have tried to attach a picture here. Now I am off to try and find a place that will sell such fuses.
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #11 – April 04, 2019, 06:51:49 pm Aren't the two fuses for reverse polarity? I don't really understand them but make sure there aren't any wires touching in the upper right corner looks like a good place for a direct short between black and the group of white wires.
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #12 – April 04, 2019, 10:00:40 pm Got the fuses from a very nice person at a RV repair place. Gave me 6 for price of 4. Wish I could remember the name of the place.Regardless, the problem is fixed. I did everything everyone said and am so very appreciative. The Lazy Daze community is special. Just wish we saw more LDs in our travels so we could chat. Blessings to all. 3 Likes
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #13 – April 04, 2019, 11:26:15 pm "...and of course not charging the batteries.""Regardless, the problem is fixed."Now that you've replaced the two faulty fuses can you tell us that the batteries are now being charged?
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #14 – April 05, 2019, 12:06:02 am Yes they are being charged. Plugged in on shore power at night and everything working perfect. Thanks for asking.
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #15 – April 05, 2019, 03:04:06 am Hi JonS. Those two 'reverse polarity' fuses are to prevent damage if you connect the batteries backwards. It would only take a few milliseconds for the fuses to blow! It would be like connecting 4 batteries in series, then shorting their outputs together. As far as the White wires and black wire in the upper corner; In the old days, car 12 VDC systems supplied with negative grounds used black wires for ground. (red for positive). House 110 VAC systems used black for hot and white for neutral, which in this case is also ground. That black upper right connector, is the converters 12 VDC ground, and the white wires are also ground and are connected together. So not a problem. RonB 1 Likes
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #16 – April 05, 2019, 01:10:19 pm Quote from: RonB - April 05, 2019, 03:04:06 amHi JonS. Those two 'reverse polarity' fuses are to prevent damage if you connect the batteries backwards. It would only take a few milliseconds for the fuses to blow! The two fuses are there to primarily protect the converter from overloads. Reverse polarity is something that would only happened immediately after an improper installation, the first time it was powered up. This situation should never happen in day to day operation.Larry 2 Likes
Re: No 12v coming from Converter Reply #17 – November 03, 2021, 11:47:39 pm I just want to thank everyone on this thread. I was having the same issue as the OP and could not figure it out. After reading the replies I checked the two 30A fuses and bingo, both blown. As soon as I replaced them, the batteries were receiving current while plugged into shore power. Thanks all! 2 Likes