Lights Dimming

MNSparky · 09-15-2013, 11:40 AM

I was out with my 5th wheel Cruiser last week. I noticed that the 12 volt lights were dimming and at the same time a clicking noise from the breaker panel. The heavier the 12 volt load, the more often the clicking and light dimming would occur. Iopened the panel cover and and found that the noise was comming from the power converter.
The converter is a WFCO 65ampPower Converter and my trailer has a 30amp panel.
Even though I am a electrician, I have not been exposed to troubleshooting power converters.
Can anyone make suggestings as towhether or not the converter is going bad and can they be repaired?

avvidclif · 09-15-2013, 12:05 PM

Tighten all the wire connections.... For a start. And check the battery connections

dalemac377 · 09-15-2013, 02:07 PM

The converter should be putting out a minimum of 13.2 volts, DC.

Dayle1 · 09-16-2013, 01:36 AM

When mine failed, the lights would go dim but eventually, the converter would kick in and voltage would jump back up, so probably just one stage of the converter wasn't working. On yours, I'm not sure what the clicking may be, possibly the fan is hitting something as it's speed is load sensitive. Anyway, if you do determine the converter is failing, it is ez to replace just the board rather than the complete unit, that way you don't have to move all the wires from old unit to the new unit. It has been a couple of years, but price was maybe $250 online.

dalemac377 · 09-16-2013, 01:46 AM

If yours is a WF9865. it is $185.00 on Amazon.com and free shipping. It is a deckmounted unit that is separate from the breaker/power panel.
Edited by: dalemac377

NorskeNY · 09-17-2013, 01:13 AM

I would look at this for a replacement:


Progressive Dynamics PD9260CV Inteli-Power 9200 Series 60
Amp Converter/Charger with Built-in Charge Wizardhttp://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Dy...sim_sbs_auto_2

Not sure how much better they are than a WFCO unit.<!--if gte mso 9>
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