Converter malfunctioning? [No power in coach, batteries fine]

Topic: Converter malfunctioning? [No power in coach, batteries fine] (Read 938 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from Lazydaze cabover deca...

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April 26, 2025, 04:34:22 pm

I've been tweaking our coach (LD MB 2004) the past several days in preparation for our upcoming (5/15) trip west; there seems to be a 'ghost' in the machine as far as the electrical is concerned: the brass escutcheon lites in the rear bedroom won't light, nor do either of the duplex outlets have power. Checked fuses, checked lites, nada. Any ideas? Also: generator won't start with either the H/B's or with the engine running: just clicks. Cleaned contacts, checked chassis batt for charge (full), house batts are brand new. No idea. (I'm hoping the gen hasn't pooped the bed).

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #1 – April 26, 2025, 04:55:43 pm

Quote from: davidmo - April 26, 2025, 04:34:22 pm

Also: generator won't start with either the H/B's or with the engine running: just clicks. Cleaned contacts, checked chassis batt for charge (full), house batts are brand new. No idea. (I'm hoping the gen hasn't pooped the bed).

Do you mean you hear the starter click but it won't turn over? Or, do you hear the rapid clicking of the generator fuel pump? If you hold the generator start button on 'off' a few seconds, you can hear the fuel pump start cycling. If the sound is metallic and does not change, there is no fuel delivery. If the noise becomes more muted shortly, fuel is getting there.

If the starter is not turning, check all connections from the coach batteries to generator, including ground cables.

Steve

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #2 – April 26, 2025, 06:45:49 pm

Quote from: davidmo - April 26, 2025, 04:34:22 pm

I've been tweaking our coach (LD MB 2004) the past several days in preparation for our upcoming (5/15) trip west

Do tell where your travels take you out west, most of us Lazy Daze owners are out west and don’t bite (much).

Probably want a new topic for your electrical / generator issues, you’ll get more responses if the request isn’t hidden under decals.

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #3 – April 26, 2025, 06:54:21 pm

Quote from: davidmo - April 26, 2025, 04:34:22 pm

Also: generator won't start with either the H/B's or with the engine running: just clicks. Cleaned contacts, checked chassis batt for charge (full), house batts are brand new. No idea.

As per the Lazy Daze Companion under generator:

If the button is pushed and there's only a clicking noise - - low battery, loose connections, or faulty starter solenoid (relay or contactor - same thing).

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #4 – April 26, 2025, 07:49:12 pm

Quote from: Dave Katleman - April 26, 2025, 06:45:49 pm

Probably want a new topic for your electrical / generator issues, you’ll get more responses if the request isn’t hidden under decals.

Done! Posts split into this new topic.

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #5 – April 26, 2025, 08:44:12 pm

Let's hear it for our hard-working admins! :-)

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #6 – April 27, 2025, 10:49:06 am

Steve: Input much appreciated; it's raining right now, so I'll check those items mentioned tom. A.M. Also: new to this forum. It seems the software in use may be a tad on the old side. I've had some difficulty finding my way. Fortunately, I have kids in their late 20's to consult. Otherwise my wife & I would probably be sitting in the dark with the cats.

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #7 – April 27, 2025, 02:04:52 pm

The 12-volt and 120-VAC issues are separate problems. Do any of the light fixtures in the rear work? If not, the problem may be a bad fuse connection inside the Power Center. The rear lights are on one circuit. There may be a bad connection in one of the lighting fixtures that feeds the non-operating fixtures.

With only two duplex outlets not working, I would be looking for a disconnected connection at one of the upstream outlets. The duplex outlets are daisy-chained together; a bad connection at one would cut the power to the downstream outlets.

The generator clicking when attempting to start may be a bad solenoid or starter. Accessing the solenoid, the contacts can be jumpered to see if the starter spins. The generator needs to be dropped to replace the starter.

Larry

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #8 – April 27, 2025, 07:49:13 pm

Quote from: Larry W - April 27, 2025, 02:04:52 pm

With only two duplex outlets not working, I would be looking for a disconnected connection at one of the upstream outlets. The duplex outlets are daisy-chained together; a bad connection at one would cut the power to the downstream outlets.

The exterior 120v outlet (near the water heater outside) is a common trouble spot on the MB floorplan. Water gets in the outlet and causes issues. The rear outlets are downstream of this.

Rich

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #9 – April 28, 2025, 08:59:30 am

I hope (I hope!) I this won't involve dropping the generator. This couldn't be done w/o a lift and lifts are hard to come by.

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #10 – April 28, 2025, 10:58:01 am

I agree with Rich. I experienced problems with the exterior AC outlet in my midbath, and that can trip the GFCI breaker... or as Rich said, potentially affect the interior outlets that are "downstream" of it. That outside outlet is the first thing I'd check in this situation.

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #11 – April 28, 2025, 01:18:36 pm

Quote from: davidmo - April 28, 2025, 08:59:30 am

I hope (I hope!) I this won't involve dropping the generator. This couldn't be done w/o a lift and lifts are hard to come by.

The generator can be removed with a rolling hydraulic floor jack. It isn’t a simple job, but it can be done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdUejfzgBRE

Larry

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #12 – April 28, 2025, 02:21:50 pm

Hi DavidMo; So the comment about " the brass escutcheon lites in the rear bedroom won't light", leave me a bit baffled. What lights are those and do you really have what we call a MidBath. 26.5 feet long right? The rear dinette, pull out 'gaucho' couches make the rear into couch or bed. The floor plans are detailed here: Lazy Daze Pocket Guide The furniture layout and chassis length affect the placement of the electrical wiring, plumbing, etc. a lot here.
The Island Bed plan was discontinued about 2006, and the 30, or 31 footers have other changes. RonB

[Power center failure?]

Reply #13 – May 08, 2025, 08:59:56 am

My LD MB (2004) seems to have had a complete power failure. Mechanic thinks it's the converter. What is the 'shelf life' of a power converter? It can be replaced for $389.00 but I'd hate to buy one and discover it isn't the problem. (Once installed, I wouldn't be able to return it). Any in-put would be most welcome. When I tested the service panel with a voltage meter it read 14+ volts. I replaced both H/B and they have a full charge. So it has to something between the batteries and the service panel? I think. But I'm no electrician.

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #14 – May 08, 2025, 01:36:24 pm

Hi DavidMo; I moved your post to it's own separate topic. If the failure is just with 12 Volts, there is a hidden circuit breaker that might need to be reset, at very little cost. This small 12v. 50Amp circuit breaker is behind a drawer, or somewhere out of the way. If you have your original Lazy Daze manuals it should be mentioned in there.
This person with a midbath mentioned that the 'hidden breaker' is inside where the drawer is located, (need to pull out the drawer under the refrigerator to get to it). It has a small black button on the side that barely pops out. Hidden Circuit Breakers Location - 50 & 100 amps
My T/K also had that breaker on the side of where the drawer pulls out under my refrigerator.
Jon's picture in reply #12 in the above referenced thread, shows that breaker location.
Here is a breaker with that black reset button on the side: Amazon.com: ZOOKOTO 12V/24V Stud Bolt Type Manual Reset Circuit Breaker 50A... (you don't have the red plastic cover) Hope this is your problem. RonB

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #15 – May 10, 2025, 09:39:58 am

Having serious electrical problems in my '04 LD MB; converter does not (or does not seem) to be producing AC voltage for anything in the coach: no lites, no outlets, no slide-out steps, no readout, nuttin'. What is the shelf life of a Parallax Converter? Do they last longer than 20+ years? What it isn't: House batteries (brand new), wiring problem (short), (at least, no wiring problem that I can locate), I'm ready to tear what's left of my hair out. Any help much appreciated!

Re: Converter malfunctioning?

Reply #16 – May 10, 2025, 09:58:36 am

I merged 3 topics on the same subject into one. It's best to keep the information together so members can follow what has been investigated along the way.