Converter fan running too much

[Casemaker]

Hi all,
Looking for input on why the converter muffin fan (WFCO POWER CENTER FP-01 or 01B) runs almost constantly.
Keystone Premier 30RI.
I have had 2 other campers and have never heard a noise from the converter. Many times there is very low consumption being used and still runs. Temps outside are from mid 40's to mid 70's.
Brand new camper 3 weeks old.

Thanks for any help
Bob

[chuckster57]

You need to load test your battery, and if you can measure the amp draw. There can be lots of reasons for the fan to run, just have to start ruling out things.

[CrazyCain]

I noticed when I use that Jump fuse thing to light up the outside trailer running lights, my converter fan runs all the time, way to much draw on the battery. The fuse thing now sits in my "junk" drawer in the trailer....

[flybouy]

To the OP: have the battery checked, just because the camper is new doesn't mean the battery can't be defective.

To Crazy Cain: if you have incandescent lights on the outside take a count of the number (at least 13 I'm guessing) then multiply by the wattage for the load. I'll bet you'll be surprised at the number.

[bobbecky]

On our rig, prior to replacing all the original incandescent bulbs with LED replacements, we could turn all our inside lights on and the fans would start immediately. Now, we almost never hear the fan run because the load is so much less.

[JRTJH]

On our Cougar XLite, which came with all incandescent lighting inside and out, if we turned on 2 overhead lights (four 921 bulbs) along with the "safety/monitoring 12 volt drain, the WFCO fan would start running. Turning on more lights would increase the speed. It was LOUD with the majority of the lights turned on.

I changed out all the lights for LED's. Now, we can turn on nearly everything inside and "jumper the clearance lights" to turn them on and the fan doesn't run on the converter.

Tom, I'm guessing your clearance lights are still incandescent 194 bulbs. They draw about 0.3 amps at 12VDC, so likely around 5 or 6 amps total and up to around 10 amps with the refrigerator control circuits and safety devices. That will definitely "trigger the WFCO fan".

The LED assemblies I bought in 2016 are no longer available on Amazon. They were "flat, pancake 194 base" type. If I find some similar I'll post the link. "Just any LED assembly won't fit the clearance lights, they have to be a "pancake style" so the light cover will snap back on. And, as with any LED assembly, always use the color of the cover/lens. Red LED's under red covers, yellow LED's under yellow covers, etc.

[hankpage]

If your fridge has the heater in the door frame to control condensation, that may be causing the fan to run also.

[flybouy]

John when I changed the outside lights on mine a few years ago I found the clearance light lens with the led built in that replaced the original lens and plugged into the 194 lamp socket. I can't remember where I bought them from.
The tail/stop lights I replaced the entire fixtures because the junk Keystone put on originally was of such poor quality.

Found it... https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...hoC1g0QAvD_BwE

[Brantlyj]

Not to get to far off topic but why would one want to turn on the clearance lights?

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Brantlyj

Not to get to far off topic but why would one want to turn on the clearance lights?

If you're having guest meeting or pizza delivered to you it makes it easier for them to find you.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Brantlyj

Not to get to far off topic but why would one want to turn on the clearance lights?

Not to mention, if you have to leave the trailer parked on the side of the highway (broken axle, etc) and want to have some "flashing lights" or even "steady lights" to help keep people from running into it as they "race by, texting and applying makeup".....

It also helps, if you need to dial 911, to give your location and then say, tell the ambulance driver that it's the trailer with the flashing clearance lights.

[Brantlyj]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Not to mention, if you have to leave the trailer parked on the side of the highway (broken axle, etc) and want to have some "flashing lights" or even "steady lights" to help keep people from running into it as they "race by, texting and applying makeup".....

It also helps, if you need to dial 911, to give your location and then say, tell the ambulance driver that it's the trailer with the flashing clearance lights.

Good point. Guess I should figure out how to turn them on...

[JRTJH]

If you feel "bold and comfortable" just use a paper clip or a piece of bent wire and stick it in the trailer umbilical connector at the two pins on each side of the "keyway". Technically, it's pin #3 (running lights) to pin #4 (12 VDC)

Now, if you're a "safety freak" or "concerned with every potential negative possibility, use a 10 amp auto fuse, twist the tabs slightly so the fuse will plug into those two pins on the trailer umbilical.

If you want "flashing lights" use an old "buss flasher" (the mechanical ones that are about $3 at any parts store) I haven't tried the new "LED adaptable flashers" so I don't know if they will work or not.

[CrazyCain]

I thought i would like the Clearance/running lights on at night for the mood effect, but to much light, took away from the camp fire glow. Never thought of using them for the reasons mentioned above and yes John, switching them over to LED would be something i'd like to do

[JRTJH]

Tom,

The LED assemblies I bought are similar to this photo. I bought them on Amazon, but they are listed as "unavailable" now. I don't know if they're out or no longer carried by Amazon. Anyway, these or something similar will plug into the existing light fixtures, just make sure they aren't too "tall" so the light cover will go back on. I think I paid about $10 for enough to do the entire trailer. There are several types on Amazon that I think "might work" but I'm not sure, so I don't want to recommend something I can't say for sure will work.

Whatever LED you decide to use, make sure you apply a LIBERAL coat of di-electric grease to the contacts and to the lamp socket !!!!!

[NH_Bulldog]

We bought these. Perfect retrofit and price was right.

[KimNTerry]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

as with any LED assembly, always use the color of the cover/lens. Red LED's under red covers, yellow LED's under yellow covers, etc.

I understand about fitting in the enclosure. Please explain why White lights are not suitable under the colored lenses.

[NH_Bulldog]

Originally Posted by KimNTerry

I understand about fitting in the enclosure. Please explain why White lights are not suitable under the colored lenses.

I am interested in this reasoning as well. Any vehicle I have ever owned with factory LED lights (or any light for that matter), whether car, truck, motorcycle or RV has had white light behind a colored lens, except where the lens itself was clear in which case the bulb or LED was colored.

[flybouy]

This may help.
https://betterautomotivelighting.com...-should-i-use/

Today's leds do a better job of displaying a fuller spectrum of light than just a few years ago but are still not up to the incandescents.

[KimNTerry]

Thanks Marshall makes good sense.