DC lights flickering when on shore power.

[KaptainK-ClassB]

I have a 98C200V with the old Magnetek 6345 converter/power center. It works well, however, my dc light bulbs all flicker/pulsate when the ac charger is on. I am planning to replace the guts eventually, maybe sooner rather than later. It drives me nuts, like a strobe light. Anything I can do about this?
They are LED bulbs in the original fixtures...
Thanks!

 

[SteveJ-ClassB]

I had problems with the first round of LED bulbs. What I found out is that they were rated for 12 volts. When the charger is running the system has more than 12 volts. I found bulbs that had a voltage range, I think something like 8 to 16 volts. These worked fine.

In your case it's also possible that the charger/converter could be an issue as the original unit introduces unfiltered DC current. That might be an issue with LED's.

I would make it a high priority to install a modern charger/converter. I used a Progressive Dynamics PD4645. Not crazy money, relatively easy to install, decent charge profiles(though not the best*) and assembled in the USA. The battery in my RT when I sold it was a group 29DC from Wally World, the Maxx version. After 2.5 years of use it was still performing well using the PD4645 and solar, boondocking about 4 months per year.


*The best($$$) chargers entail using tail current for charging control.

 

[mkguitar]

I'd put a voltmeter on and see what voltage is being provided to the DC circuits- and see if anything is loading the circuit in a cyclical pattern, drawing the voltage down



so is it the dc power provided?


or a device drawing power?


Mike

 

[KaptainK-ClassB]

Seems to be just the led bulbs in the old fixtures. Most have been replaced already with LED fixtures. They all work just fine. I ordered a PD 4645 after posting this last night.

 

[avanti]

Check the quality of your grounds. I had a similar problem when our Espar was starting up (a high-current situation). Improving the Espar's ground fixed 99% of the problem.

 

[ChipWeller]

I current have the same issue on a 99P190. Flickering stops with high enough load on the battery. DVM shows a very high AC voltage riding on the DC, about 12V. I have not yet fixed it, but am assuming one of the rectifying diodes in the Magnetek has shorted.

 

[Dougm38]

Disconnect shore power, turn.your battery switch on before.pluggimg back into shore power. That should stop.the flickering.

 

[KaptainK-ClassB]

Problem solved. Put the PD6445V converter in. Works great!