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Old 07-02-2015, 02:08 PM   #1
JoePoke
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New Converter Strange Cycling

We have a new 2015 26RBI Cougar and are 6 weeks into our 1st major trip up in the Lake Superior area where it has been very cold. Today the converter started cycling off/on and make a much louder noise than normal. We are at a campground and plugged in with good power. I shut it off for a few minutes and when I turned it back on it sounded ok for about 5 minutes and then back to the cycling. Anyone have and experience with this issue?
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Old 07-02-2015, 02:58 PM   #2
Festus2
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Converters have a fan that cools the components when the unit is operating. If you turn the lights on, for example, you may hear the fan "kick in" and then go off after the lights are turned off. This could be the "cycling" that you are hearing. The fan does emit some noise when it is running but it shouldn't be overly loud or make any vibrating or rattling, grinding sounds that are characteristic of a bearing problem.
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Old 07-02-2015, 04:36 PM   #3
Ken / Claudia
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What your saying could be normal in those conditions. I would check out the battery by really checking it. Look at the water level and check the volts. Pushing the panel button when on shore power always shows full charge. I said this because if the battery is being charged it will cause the fan to run on the convertor.
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Old 07-02-2015, 04:48 PM   #4
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Since I've changed my lights to LED's I haven't heard the converter since.
Even when before changing the lights it never cycled much and when it did it was barely noticeable.
My sisters last TT the converter was nearly as noisy as the AC, the tech guy said it was a bent fan and replaced it and that cured everything
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Old 07-19-2015, 05:47 PM   #5
JoePoke
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Since no one understood my question I will try again

• The converter/charger begins to cycle its fan loudly every 10 seconds or so “On & Off” after we have been at a campground for about 3 days. If I turn it off for 30 minutes or so it works correctly for a day or 2.

Every thing else seems to be working OK.
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Old 07-19-2015, 06:38 PM   #6
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Without testing I would guess that the converter is okay but the fan or the thermostat that controls it is the cause of the problem. The converter can work and be silent until it reaches temperature and then the fan cycles on and off to cool it. It is the fan that makes noise (other than a slight hum) and can be easily and cheaply replaced before the converter is damaged by overheating. JM2¢, Hank

If you have animals ... the fan is very vulnerable to being clogged with hair and dust.
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Old 07-27-2015, 12:01 PM   #7
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You may be correct about the overheating. Since it is a new 3 month old trailer with LEDs and Gel Batteries I do not think there is any reason for the charger to be out of sorts. The times that this happens have been early evening after being at a site for 3 days or so, but some of these events we were in really cool weather on the north side of Lake Superior. The fact that it seems to be ok after being off for a bit is consistent with overheating but still strange. I will just keep monitoring it until I can get it checked out thoroughly. I will also keep track of how many lights are on when it happens next time.

Thanks
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Old 07-27-2015, 12:05 PM   #8
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Having some or all of your LED lights on should not cause the converter to overheat or act strangely.
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Old 05-15-2019, 08:39 AM   #9
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Ours cycles on and off as well, but when on it has a fairly loud hum. It’s brand new as is the RV other than the noise which is a little annoying since it is located in the compartment below the bedroom. Other than the hum it seems to be working ok
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Old 05-15-2019, 01:51 PM   #10
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Click image for larger version

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If your converter looks like this one .... it will usually be mounted on bottom of power center it’s known for noise and other issues.

I’d upgrade it to a stand alone converter that will be much quieter and provide good performance
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Old 05-15-2019, 02:52 PM   #11
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There is a cooling fan mounted on the converter. The purpose is to keep the converter electronics cool during use. As the amperage demand increases, the fan speed increases. The fan is a 4" pancake disc fan, the same type used in most computers.

If your converter is "humming" usually that means the fan is running. Dog hair, dust, dirt and "stray insulation during trailer construction" can all cause the fan blades to become unbalanced and vibrate. Often, just cleaning the fan will stop the hum.
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Old 05-15-2019, 04:58 PM   #12
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my desk top has the same issue, only it moans like an old man with emphysema. they are not hard to source or change. If you do, make sure all power is off.
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Old 05-15-2019, 05:12 PM   #13
Mroe67
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Ours is a stand alone. Mounted close to the two batteries in the storage compartment UNDER our bed room. Just read that when they have a heavy load, some go into a boost mode. I think that’s what mine is doing.
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