Flickering lights and clicking AC

Joshuae2 · 05-25-2018, 09:45 AM

Ok so haven't used the camper in a while, got to the site last night and plugged in. Turned on the lights and they were flickering, and dim. The more lights I turned on however the brighter the lights got. After turning on enough lights the flickering would stop, while the lights were dim and flickering I tried to turn the AC on. It would try to turn on but it was as if it didn't have the current to kick the compressor on. So the unit would just click and stop wait like three seconds and try again with a click. Now if I turned on enough lights to make the lights stop flickering and get bright I could turn on the AC, and if I turned them all off I could turn it on. One of my lights won't work at all, the one with a switch by the door will not come on at all. I checked the bulbs they are good. I cleaned the contacts on the 30 amp plug , checked the fuses and even tightened the fuse holders with pliers to get a better contact. All fuses are good and breakers aren't tripped. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 2010 Keystone Springdale 266

Steveo57 · 05-25-2018, 10:32 AM

Could be a problem with the power at the pedestal, almost sounds like a bad connection on the neutral.

Joshuae2 · 05-25-2018, 10:51 AM

When you say pedestel, do you mean where it come into the breaker panel?

jeff57 · 05-25-2018, 11:24 AM

The "pedestal" would be the electrical box that you plug your camper into at the campground. Since it is usually elevated, it is commonly referred to as the "pedestal".

jeff57 · 05-25-2018, 11:28 AM

If you happen to have an EMS device for your camper, it would tell you if there is no ground, no neutral, reversed wiring, etc. at the "pedestal". That would help you figure out what's going on with this issue.

travelin texans · 05-25-2018, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff57

If you happen to have an EMS device for your camper, it would tell you if there is no ground, no neutral, reversed wiring, etc. at the "pedestal". That would help you figure out what's going on with this issue.

If you don't have a surge protector/EMS, GET ONE before your next trip.
You have 2 separate power sources between your lights & ac; lights are 12 volt dc, ac is 120 by ac. But the converter that changes 120 to 12 & charges the batteries could be faulty Or a loose connection causing both problems.

**flybouy** · 05-25-2018, 12:27 PM

I keep one of these outlet testers ona 30 amp to 15 amp dog bones. I have a EMS hardwired but this will tell me immediatly if there is a problem and I can show it to the cg owner. https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-R...=outlet+tester

Joshuae2 · 05-25-2018, 02:36 PM

I have a surge protector plugged into the "pedestal". It says everything is normal. The battery that's on the camper is old and I know it doesn't hold a charge long. Could that be the issue. I want to check everything before I go spend 500 to have a new converter installed.

bobbecky · 05-25-2018, 03:47 PM

Don't change anything until you get the battery tested or replaced. If the battery isn't charged enough and your DC voltage is low, that could be the cause of your A/C not working correctly, because the thermostat needs good DC voltage to work right.

Joshuae2 · 05-25-2018, 05:24 PM

Roger, I'll change the battery and see if it helps. I think it might be the battery
, because I havent turned on any lights today just had the blinds open. Turned them on when it got dark and they worked great for about 5 min and then the flicker came back. Will update after I change the battery.

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