Distribution Center/Converter Issue

DonP · 09-26-2022, 02:58 PM

Looking for some thoughts. Just before leaving to come home (shore power still plugged in) (50amp) my wife dropped her (old) hair dryer. When she turned it on again it started fine then immediately lost power. I checked my EMS (50amp progressive industries) it was fine. Checked control panel breakers, all were un-tripped. Did not check all the fuses (in a hurry). At this point we started to see smoke coming from the control panel (my wife told me alter that it was coming from the oven vent also) at which point I unplugged from shore power (smoked stopped). All 12 volt works fine. Couldn't tell whether the charger was working after we hooked up because the solar was charging the batteries.

That's the story. Going to be checking out the Converter/Charger and Control Panel Wednesday. Converter WFCO WF-9800LiS, Control Panel WFCO WF-8930/50. Anything specific my son-in-law electrician should be looking for?

wiredgeorge · 09-26-2022, 03:18 PM

Don, don't think fuses will be an issue as they are 12V and you have a 117V issue if you have one. None of the breakers tripped? I would check to see if you have AC going into your converter (117V) and 12V out. Check to see if the 12V is getting to the battery(s) and it would be helpful if you had a disconnect between solar and the battery while checking. Open things up and see if you can spot anything that looks burned as the smoke came from somewhere that got hot and that would likely be a wire.

Since no AC breakers were tripped and your lights are working, the only confusion will be if the issue is the converter when the solor is charging the battery. There are smarter folks than me that will come along and provide more help hopefully.

**sourdough** · 09-26-2022, 03:35 PM

Thinking on the run here; dropped hair dryer - "turned it on again", was it on when it was dropped, not running ?? Turned it on, it started and stopped = dryer was damaged. This will be 120vac power. EMS was OK - reads INCOMING power, not load side. No breakers thrown (fuses/12vdc shouldn't be a factor since they were all still working after the fact). Smoke coming from the "control panel", I'm assuming the front of the panel with the breakers and fuses. I don't see how the converter has anything to do with those circumstances. I'd pull that power center and see what's what with all those connections in it. Sounds to me like you have something loose that decided to "heat up". Others will have their ideas as well I'm sure.

**sourdough** · 09-26-2022, 04:03 PM

I would note as an addition to my post above that there is nothing to pulling the front of that power panel (4 screws). My screws are a little irritating to get lined back up to put in but nothing really. Once off you are looking directly at all the 120vac wiring coming in that powers the AC in your RV.....look for the blackened place(s).

DonP · 10-02-2022, 09:36 AM

Here's an update to my original post. Son-in-Law checked the converter/control panel and of course there was nothing to see. There was no indication of a burnt wire the only thing we found was alto of construction junk in the cubby hole. There certainly are a mass of wires in there. We're at home with the trailer on shore power and everything is normal.

**sourdough** · 10-02-2022, 09:46 AM

Don y'all did check all the wires for tightness??

DonP · 10-02-2022, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

Don y'all did check all the wires for tightness??

Yes, probably should have mentioned this in the original post, but there was never any smell to the smoke. Never had that odor that says there's an electrical problem. Son-in-Law wondered if what we saw was steam, there was no indication of moisture in the cubbyhole either. We'll just be keeping a close eye on it for a while.

**sourdough** · 10-02-2022, 10:00 AM

Ahh. If it was electrical it has "that" smell so that seems positive.

LHaven · 10-02-2022, 01:47 PM

Maybe all your fiddling around with breakers spooked an insect inside the power center and it wandered into a unfortunate place. Though that has a distinctive aroma all its own, too.

bobbecky · 10-02-2022, 03:22 PM

If the dryer was dropped in water, a GFI probably tripped when it was started back up and maybe there was a bit of steam when that happened.

LHaven · 10-02-2022, 04:29 PM

The smoke was from the power center. Does Keystone use actual GFI breakers in any models? All I've seen are GFI outlets.

Gunny Mike · 10-15-2022, 04:51 PM

We have a GFI issue going with our 2019 outback as well. Dont know if it occurred due to plugging the trailer into my solar box and the 100 ah battery and inverter. Got to our campsite and the microwave, converter, and the GFI wouldnt work when i plugged in with the 50 amp cord. None of the breakers were tripped but when i shut the breaker on the GFI by itself the other two work perfectly. They must be grouped toghter as if i try to give the GFI breaker power it shuts down the power.

LHaven · 10-15-2022, 05:56 PM

Do you have an EMS or no EMS?
Wondering if the EMS is detecting a fault and shutting everything down.

Gunny Mike · 10-15-2022, 06:23 PM

Didnt have a EMS on it, but then we added a 50 amp one to it hoping to correct the issue. With the EMS plugged in we still are having the GFI issue and shutting off.

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