Converter question

[All4mtb]

Our camper has a WFCO 55 amp converter. It also has a small fridge in the outdoor kitchen that stopped working, I replaced the fridge with one from Lowes but when I plugged it in the converter started smoking. Can someone explain why? I can't figure out what the outside refrigerator plug that is 120v would have to do with the converter. Thanks

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum

Both the outside fridge and the converter are 120VAC appliances. Only thing is the converter uses the 120VAC to produce 12VDC to charge the battery(s) and power the 12V stuff in the trailer. What year is your trailer?

[All4mtb]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Welcome to the forum

Both the outside fridge and the converter are 120VAC appliances. Only thing is the converter uses the 120VAC to produce 12VDC to charge the battery(s) and power the 12V stuff in the trailer. What year is your trailer?

2020 cougar

[NH_Bulldog]

Do you have any kind of EMS on the incoming power? By EMS, I am not referring to a $50 “surge protector”, but a true Electrical Management System ($250+).

It sounds like you had an “event” that killed the weakest thing first (mini fridge), then it moved on and killed the converter. I would NOT use the air conditioners or anything else until you have a handle on what exactly happened, otherwise it could get really expensive really quick

[All4mtb]

Originally Posted by NH_Bulldog

Do you have any kind of EMS on the incoming power? By EMS, I am not referring to a $50 “surge protector”, but a true Electrical Management System ($250+).

It sounds like you had an “event” that killed the weakest thing first (mini fridge), then it moved on and killed the converter. I would NOT use the air conditioners or anything else until you have a handle on what exactly happened, otherwise it could get really expensive really quick

Everything works fine expect for the old fridge obviously. I do not have any ems but will have before our next trip. The fridge didn't work when we bought the camper used a few months ago.

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by All4mtb

Our camper has a WFCO 55 amp converter. It also has a small fridge in the outdoor kitchen that stopped working, I replaced the fridge with one from Lowes but when I plugged it in the converter started smoking. Can someone explain why? I can't figure out what the outside refrigerator plug that is 120v would have to do with the converter. Thanks

Let me drop back five yards here -- I think there is terminology confusion.

The power center box contains the fuses, breakers, and the converter. Smoke is coming from the box. Dollars to donuts it's not coming from the converter, since 120V issues never result in converter smoke (unless the issue is in the 120V going into the converter itself).

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by LHaven

120V issues never result in converter smoke (unless the issue is in the 120V going into the converter itself).

I have personally seen 2 converters “smoke” on a brand new unit (Grand designs Reflection) and found the shore cord faulty.

[xrated]

Smoke is possible almost anywhere there is electricity involved, from small battery powered stuff to the obvious stuff powered with higher voltages both AC and DC.....When the smoke comes out, usually the "badness" has crept in.

[RollaMo]

Originally Posted by xrated

.....When the smoke comes out, usually the "badness" has crept in.

True...



But in the Muscle car world, Sometimes you just have to stop and let the smoke out. At least that's what I tell the wife.
I know some of you will get that.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by RollaMo

True...



But in the Muscle car world, Sometimes you just have to stop and let the smoke out. At least that's what I tell the wife.
I know some of you will get that.

Oh yeah!!!!

[xrated]

Originally Posted by RollaMo

True...



But in the Muscle car world, Sometimes you just have to stop and let the smoke out. At least that's what I tell the wife.
I know some of you will get that.

Yep, that is true!

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I have personally seen 2 converters “smoke” on a brand new unit (Grand designs Reflection) and found the shore cord faulty.

Well sure, but as I said, that's converter source power -- not power to some unrelated 120V unit in the trailer.

[MrKABC]

Originally Posted by RollaMo

True...
But in the Muscle car world, Sometimes you just have to stop and let the smoke out. At least that's what I tell the wife.
I know some of you will get that.

Courtesy of Lucas, Prince of Darkness!!

OP, you need to check your connections, stat. In the box, look for loose wiring, smoke can be an indicator of arcing. My old Jayco had the WORST assortment of cheap wire nuts sloppily thrown together - the merest movement of the wires would result in a wire nut popping off and a loose wire flopping out. Get rid of those wire nuts and get WAGO connectors.

Check the AC bus bars, make sure the solid core wires are firmly inserted and the screws tightened.

Since you already have seen smoke, check for signs of overheating in your bus bars and terminals. Any bluing or visible arc damage?

[Gamma]

WFCO also makes inverters and that would make a lot more sense that it would smoke if the load of a (even small) fridge were put on a unit that is not operating properly. What is the model number of your WFCO unit?