Connected the battery backwards...light show!

[Jesse110]

I have a 2005 Keystone Copper Canyon Sprinter 30' 5th wheel. It's generally plugged in year round. Was getting ready to go camping and noticed the battery was dead. Pulled and charged it. Put it back on (in a hurry) BACKWARDS.

Didn't realize this x 10 days and not until I was at my campsite when I started having power issues.

The AC, Frig, water pump, water heater...all would come on and then go off. A kind of "flicker"

Noticed the battery was on backwards, had chard one connection and boiled out all the fluid.

Unhooked it and I still encountered the same issues. Checked the fuses, I could find, and noticed the little cooling fan on the converter was no longer working. I placed my portable fan on it and no more issues over the weekend.

Switched out the fan. It still doesn't work and I still have the same issues unless the fan is blowing on everything (electrical). Now I have not replaced the battery as of yet. Someone mentioned to me that I should. Another person said I should check a couple 40amp fuses that may have blown.

Any ideas before I hall this thing to the shop and drop some serious $$$?

[flybouy]

Why take it to the shop? I would start with the battery. If the water boiled off it's probably gone. You could take it to just about anywhere batteries are sold and get it tested for free. Then check the 2 protection fuses on the converster , they should have burned out. Do a search on the forum, you will find many posts on just these type issues.

[sourdough]

flybouy is right. If you had a charred connection on the battery and it had boiled dry, I wouldn't even think about testing or using it; get a new battery. Hopefully all you did was blow the fuses at the converter but....??

[Jesse110]

I certainly need a new battery! I'm swinging by the store for some fuses too! Fingers crossed!!

[JRTJH]

The fuses are a special size and are 40 amp fuses. The "typical plug in fuse" won't fit. What you need are Littelfuse® ” Type 257 and, as I said, probably 40 amp size. They are either located on the converter which is mounted behind or near the power center. Newer 45 and 55 amp converters are usually mounted on the back of the power center and the reverse polarity fuses are just to the left of the circuit branch fuses.

You may find them at an auto parts store or you may need to go to an RV parts store. I doubt you'll find them at a community hardware store.

If you don't have the owner's manual for the WFCO converter, you can download it here: https://wfcoelectronics.com/product-downloads/

Keep us posted on your progress and any questions, just ask. Good Luck !!!

[ChuckS]

I’d remove battery and tape over positive lead that went to battery so it can’t short to frame.

Find the convertor as previously stated and replace fuses.

Plug in shore power and now measure at DC leads that went to battery. You are looking for 13.4 ish range.

If you have that voltage then kill shore power and install new battery with correct polarity hookup.

Plug shore power back in and measure DC voltage at battery. Should still be in the 13.4 ish range.

[ChuckS]

Looking at most likely what was original convertor in your RV. Both are stand alone which is good. If after replacing reverse polarity fuses in your convertor and verifying you have AC to the plug if you have no DC output then it’s simply a matter of two DC wires connected on the converter and the AC plug. You can avoid labor costs and replace yourself. Ignore prices from Trekwood.

[ChuckS]

Wonder how the issue worked out for you?

[Frederick]

I have a 2014 alpine when this happen to me it was the 40 amp fuses in the converter there are 2 check these before buying new converter it was the rv repair shop who didme in

[Jesse110]

Fuses were good as far as I can tell. Put on a new battery. Everything seems to be working as it should. Even the new converter fan is running! Thanks everyone!!

Jess