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Fan in converter surging on and off
We took delivery of our 27RB in mid August.  The unit has the standard 75 Amp converter and two solar panels.  The fan in the converter is designed to run continuously.  Everything is normal except when the solar controller goes into the "absorption" mode.  At about 14.3 volts the fan starts to cycle on and off randomly.  As the voltage increases above 14.3 the fan surges on and off at about a 5 second interval.   It seems to always do this, I turn off the converter to silence the noise and prevent damage.  The converter manufacturer has no similar reports regarding the fan surging like ours.  Before returning the converter I would like to be confident the converter is the real problem.  Has anyone else experienced a problem like this?  What wa the cause?  Thank for any help!.
Re: Fan in converter surging on and off
Reply #1 –
This isn't a problem I have seen or heard of.
I would suspect the converter's control board has a problem.
Being less than six months old, it should be under warranty.

Might be a good time to change to a converter that doesn't have a fan running continuously.
It's very annoying to have the cooling fan operate when the converter is barely charging, such as when in the trickle mode.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Fan in converter surging on and off
Reply #2 –
Thanks Larry,

I don't like the noise either, particularly ALL NIGHT.   Our 2007 RB had a 45 amp converter whose fan ran once in a while.  Now that we have more solar and less load (LEDs and lower power tv) we have a 75 amp converter whose fan runs all the time?   Go figure.  Maybe Parallax would give me a 45 amp unit as a warranty replacement?  I would go for that!

Regards,
Jon
Re: Fan in converter surging on and off
Reply #3 –
We own a 2015 MB 27 and our converter fan also surges off and on in conditions noted. I have never considered it could be a faulty unit. I will be interested in responses.
2015 MB
Re: Fan in converter surging on and off
Reply #4 –
The current spec sheet describes the converter only as a "high output 75 amp electronic solid state converter/charger with temperature compensation". What is the brand? Parallax? Progressive Dynamics? (PD doesn't list a 75 amp, but.....) Other?

Maybe a call to the converter's manufacturer might provide "answers"? 

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Fan in converter surging on and off
Reply #5 –
LD switched from the 45-amp converter to the 75-amp converter to take advantage of at the AGM batteries ability to safely absorb higher charge rates than the previously used lead-acid T-105 batteries. Nice for reducing generator run times.
If you change to another converter, you should use a similar high charge rate converter to replace it.

I have used Randy, at Best Converter, as reference for several years. You might want to give him a call and see what is available in a quiet, high output charger. If you plan on adding a inverter, some come with large battery chargers.
BestConverter - Converters, Inverters, Electrical Supplies, Electronics

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Fan in converter surging on and off
Reply #6 –
We have a 2015 27MB which came with the 75 amp unit which has the fan that runs all the time. The 2015 RB had a 55 amp unit which does not have that issue. I talked with both Parallax and Todd and Vince at Lazy Daze about replacing out 75 with a 55, but no dice. They said all you can do is turn it off, not a good solution. So, I ordered a 55 amp unit, (all you need is the lower section) from Amazon for, I think a little less than $300, and had our local RV shop replace it, took about 20 minutes, well worth the money.

If anyone wants a 75 amp lower unit, it is sitting in my garage!

Ian, "Silver Fox"
27 MB, Seattle
2015 MB
Re: Fan in converter surging on and off
Reply #7 –
I might add that from time to time, I take the shop vac and clean the area behind the fan which usually has a bit of dust stuck in that screen.  It's like the dust that collects in a PC power supply fan.  I'd like for the convert to run as cool as possible and a clogged screen ain't going to help.
Re: Fan in converter surging on and off
Reply #8 –
Instead of spending that kind of money to replace a working converter, why not spend $25 and get a better fan. The fan is working, so is the converter. Get a quieter fan installed. Or put a thermal switch in to shut off the converter if it gets too hot. Quite likely with todays lower current draw lights and such, it would never shut down. The fan in my converter makes little noise, and doesn't bother me when it does. RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Fan in converter surging on and off
Reply #9 –
This is an update to our status.  I worked with Parallax and provided a sound recording of the surging fan.  Parallax also talked to Lazy Daze and were told that maybe 5 owners had reported a similar problem to ours.  Parallax stepped up and wanted our converter, they had not been able to duplicate the surging in their lab.  Today I installed the new converter they provided.  The fan on it surges when the solar controller is absorption mode, the same as our original connverter.   I will ship Monday if they still want mine, I expect they will,  It will be a while to ship, test, and fix;, looks like I will manage surging with the circuit breaker this winter. 

Jon
Re: Fan in converter surging on and off
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Jon & Norma  - 
This is an update to our status.  I worked with Parallax and provided a sound recording of the surging fan.  Parallax also talked to Lazy Daze and were told that maybe 5 owners had reported a similar problem to ours.  Parallax stepped up and wanted our converter, they had not been able to duplicate the surging in their lab.  Today I installed the new converter they provided.  The fan on it surges when the solar controller is absorption mode, the same as our original connverter.   I will ship Monday if they still want mine, I expect they will,  It will be a while to ship, test, and fix;, looks like I will manage surging with the circuit breaker this winter. 

Jon
Jon,
Give me the contact information and I will be their sixth person to report the problem, and maybe others will also.
Tom
2015 MB
 
Re: Fan in converter surging on and off
Reply #11 –
Tom,
Bruce Jones is the warranty contact at Parallax.  He can be reached at bjones@parallaxpower.com.  This morning I went out to turn off the converter to limit surging during the absorption cycle that is happening daily here.  The new converter was doing fine, the fan was running continuously as it should.  I will try for a best two out of three tomorrow.

Regards,
Jon