Inverter not working when connected to shore power

[mnelsonla]

I have a 2014 Pleasure Way Plateau. When connected to shore power, my inverter is not charging the house battery and after a about 20 minutes of time everything that is DC stops working. The only way to charge the house battery is to start the engine and let it run until the battery is charge. Any ideas of what may be going on? I'm

[mloganusda]

Check your breakers and see if the inverter is getting power when connected to shore power. Locate your inverter and test it for any power to it. Maybe a fuse/breaker has tripped. Possibly a wire has broken or burned out causing no power to the inverter. Learn to use a voltmeter to check for many electrical conditions. Harbor Feight has a low cost one.

[mnelsonla]

Thank you so much. I'll get a voltmeter today.

[mkguitar]

do you have an inverter ?


an "inverter" takes DC power from your battery and inverts it to AC power ( like in your house)




most of us have an "converter" which takes 120 volt AC shore power & supplies 12 to 14 volt DC to charge our batteries and run the DC stuff in the van.


if this is the case, check that the converter is getting AC power- on many PW's the converter has a plug like in your house, plugged into an outlet ( like in your house) this outlet should be providing 120 volts AC.


if not, trouble shoot back to your shore power source including your transfer switch



if that does have power then check that the converter fuses are ok, on many intellipower converters there are fuses right by where the black and red wires come out. there is also the PW fuse panel under the bed/or sofa- check the circuit breakers and the fuses.

[mnelsonla]

This is a huge help. I assumed invertor, but you are probably correct, it is a converter.

So when I'm plugged in to Shore power, everything is working that runs off of AC...Air Condition and plugs. Those things that run off of DC, lights fridge, etc last until the house battery dies. So I would assume something is wrong with the converter, or as you mentioned there is a bad fuse.

Where I turn on the switch to the house power, there are two relays. Both of these have black and red wires attached. I did just have one relay replaced. Possible the other has now gone out.

What's confusing to me is the house battery will charge when the motor is running, but not from shorepower.

I'm techincally challenged, as I'm sure you can tell from the above. So, I'll go grab a voltemeter this afternoon and see what I can discover.

[mkguitar]

look first for fuses ON the converter itself


I have a heck of a time trying to post pics... here is my setup ( 2006 Lexor) at lower left the AC power plug for the Intellipower converter.


the white wire is ground.


the black and red wires outputting from the converter are the DC power and there are fuses on the intellipower next to the wires- 30 amp I think.


other converters will have fuses internal


we also have our dratted circuit breakers with the tiny black reset tab which shows if they are tripped- I have to lay down with a flashlight to check mine


link to pic of my converter: https://photos.app.goo.gl/QRXFo7eKrdztg1gr5

[mnelsonla]

Attached are photos of my set up. Silly question but which one of those are my converter?

The picture with the house power supply switch, I assume those are relays on the front?

[mnelsonla]

Converter identified and started the process of troubleshooting it.

Power is coming from the 15amp breaker.

Noticed the fan on the converter is not coming on. Is this an issue?

See attached photo. What is this and Should the red button be pressed in? When I do, the little black piece at the top kicks out to the left.

Thank you all for your patience with my lack of technical skills. I am enjoying the learning process.

[mkguitar]

in the pic showing your "red key" surrounding it are the 12 volt DC circuit breakers.


do any of these have a black or red tab sticking out the side ? this is the reset tab.

[mkguitar]

I believe the PW power sofa models always supply power to the sofa, exclusive of the master switch ( clockwise is on) - this is meant to be a "safety item"

[mkguitar]

Originally Posted by mnelsonla

See attached photo. What is this and Should the red button be pressed in? When I do, the little black piece at the top kicks out to the left.

this is a circuit breaker- I can't tell what it is used for- the red button on top is a test button, the "lever" which will project is the reset for the circuit breaker- push it back for "on"

[mnelsonla]

Thanks for your help. Still troubleshooting the converter. Without the fan running I believe this may be the issue.

[engnrsrule]

Good discussion. Mike knows his stuff.

Some brands combine the converter and inverter in one device (I had a TrippLite that was this way). There are also relays that prevent 2 sources of 120vac being connected simultaneously. I replaced my TrippLite with separate inverter and charge/converter.

My money is on a fault in your converter, fuse, or relay.

Your batteries charge when engine is on because that charging 12v DC power is coming direct from the engine alternator.

[Georgie]

Check this out!
MULTIMETER Electrical Test KIT https://a.co/d/imYqcEJ

[mkguitar]

Originally Posted by Georgie

Check this out!
MULTIMETER Electrical Test KIT

all good things to have


I suggest the red harbor freight multimeter ( sometimes free, sometimes $10) they are awesome and cheap- I leave the fluke at home, I have one of these hardwired to my coach battery and another I use for testing.


I have a klein RT250 for ground, polarity and voltage tests (can use with 30a adapter at pedestal)



and a 6/12 volt test light which is handy for the DC stuff


an understanding of how the electrical systems work is prime

[ChicagoTom]

Press the little button on the one labeled Converter . 08/09 PW Chevy Lexor