Electric - Converter question

[GuitarPhotog]

Yeah, sooner or later you have to plug it in and see if it has any magic smoke left inside and see if your actions let it out.

Since this converter is of questionable provenance and condition, I don't think I'd hook a battery to it until after I verified that it puts out some reasonable voltage (~11VDC - 13VDC).

<Chas>

[Quadriderdad]

I LOVE A GOOD SMOKE TEST!!

OH YEAH!...LOL, FUNNY....Ok but seriously now does it look like this?...

[drcurran]

Thanks Quadriderdad your info has been a big help and the diagram you posted looks very much like mine. One thing mine has is a GFI switch on the front along with a circuit breaker 15amp. Neither of these seem to do anything. On or off I still have 12v at the two blue wire from the back. And no matter what I do the red wire out of the back has not 12v power at any time. Any suggestions? And again, thanks for your help.

[GuitarPhotog]

I LOVE A GOOD SMOKE TEST!!

OH YEAH!...LOL, FUNNY....Ok but seriously now does it look like this?...

Ah, read the fine print on this one. "...Not suitable for battery charging..." So if yours works like this one, then there won't be 12 VDC on the red wire unless there's a battery attached.

I'd disconnect it from 120 VAC and connect a battery and see if you get 12 VDC out the two blue circuits. If so, it works like the one in the schematic above.

<Chas>

[GuitarPhotog]

Additional note: you will have to find another way to charge your battery, this isn't going to do that, unlike the WFCO and Progressive Dynamics Converter/Chargers.

<Chas>

[Quadriderdad]

Thanks Quadriderdad your info has been a big help and the diagram you posted looks very much like mine. One thing mine has is a GFI switch on the front along with a circuit breaker 15amp. Neither of these seem to do anything. On or off I still have 12v at the two blue wire from the back. And no matter what I do the red wire out of the back has not 12v power at any time. Any suggestions? And again, thanks for your help.

Ok...I downloaded the complete manual and it may not be the same as yours but it looks the the red is not an output from the converter. It is for supplying 12v from the battery to your 12v circuits. Here is the link to the manual...

http://www.irv2.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5622&d=1285173696

If you have the model # maybe we can find the correct info for it.

[Quadriderdad]

[quote="GuitarPhotog"]Additional note: you will have to find another way to charge your battery, this isn't going to do that, unlike the WFCO and Progressive Dynamics Converter/Chargers.

I see a solar panel in your future

[drcurran]

Quadriderdad and others - thanks for you help and suggestions. I hooked a battery up to the red wire and it did indeed power the lights and fan with 12v power. But as was mentioned this unit will not charge the battery. I'll work something out. Thanks again for the help. Sometime real soon I'm going to take this "puppy" out on it first trip!

[Quadriderdad]

no problem...glad you got it worked out.

I just love a happy ending!

[drcurran]

Hey Quadriderdad - Thanks again for your help on my converter questions. I've got it all hooked up now and as you and other suggested this converter will not charge my battery. I'll work something out for that, But I do have another question. If you can see from the pic (front pic) I posted there is both a circuit breaker (15amp) and a GFI on the front to the left of the converter. I can't find anything that they control. Any ideas?

Dan

[Quadriderdad]

I'm thinking maybe two 120v circuits...(1) general purpose and (1) GFI protected. Can you get the model number off the label?

Jamie

[drcurran]

The best guess for model # is CP12 FKNR3. Don't know if you can see from the picture of the converter, but there is a 110v line going in to supply power, but there is no 110v receptacle on the unit. But the breaker is, I would think, for 110v as it is the same type of breaker you find in a house. Thanks again for any and all help.

Dan

[GuitarPhotog]

Most converters also act as 120VAC breaker panel/distribution centers. Look to see what is connected to the load side of those breakers. Perhaps the breaker controls the input to the converter (does it turn the 12 VDC on/off?), and the GFCI is intended for an outlet? Or maybe vice-versa?

Can you see the breaker connections to see if either/both are wired?

<Chas>

[drcurran]

I'll probably have to open the "box" up to see the connections. I'm going on vacation for a week (note with the trailer) but when I get back I'll give it a look and let you know. Thanks again for the help.

Dan