12V electrical problem

[chuckster57]

I bet WFCO won’t have an answer as to which circuit is which. They just produce the distribution box and since it’s used in numerous different brands, they don’t label them. I have replaced the entire 12V side and they have always came with blank labels.

[Rebus]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Here is a portion of the WFCO 8900 Converter Owner's Manual....

Thanks for the info. I'll replace the can with a conventional blade -- easy enough.

I assume it's had this configuration for 18 years. Still a mystery why the blade reverse polarity fuse blew while just sitting untouched, setting off the alarm.

I don't know if it's related but about three years ago the battery, again while the trailer was just sitting in storage outside my house, exploded. No, it wasn't hooked up backwards and hadn't been touched for months but the trailer was on AC to keep the battery up. The battery was several years old but had not been abused.

With this strange stuff happening I'm more inclined to replace the converter with a new lithium-ready model if they have one that drops into my power panel despite it testing normal presently. I did inquire about that too, awaiting an answer.

[rlh1957]

You need a good battery always connected when operating DC lights, slides, DC refrigerator, etc.
The Convertor takes incoming AC to charge the batteries full. Battery can handle continuous DC loads and heavy 12V DC draw from slides, fans, etc. a convertor is not designed or intended to be your DC supplier.

Your dilemma now is possible weakened battery and convertor that is worn or burned out.

[Rebus]

The tailgater is pretty basic. The only DC powered items are the Peltier refrigerator, lights (which are mostly LED), FM radio, propane alarm, tongue lift and water pump (the latter two haven't been used for quite a while with the parked, connected trailer).


I received a reply today from WFCO. They have a converter upgrade with lead-acid, AGM, Lithium auto-detect charge curves. I placed an order for it @ $200 (on sale) and should be here next Tuesday. I still need to shop for a lithium battery to complete the upgrade, which I expect will be more costly than the converter. I'm open to suggestions.