12v system TS

Nathanhamm · 01-22-2021, 05:43 PM

Hi Everyone,

Just purchased a 2012 Crossroads from my father in law who did little to maintain it. Having issues with the 12v system, already replaced the battery but now need to check the inverter/converter. Trying to trace is back from the battery box and lose it past the slide out.

Can someone tell me where it is, maybe have picture of it? Tips on troubleshooting?

Thanks,

Nathan

**dagst1** · 01-22-2021, 06:29 PM

Hello and welcome.

Your say you have a 2012 Crossroads. We need more information. Make and model please. And if you would put that information in your signature it would help in the future.
That said do you know where the fuse box/breaker panel is? The converter is usually close or built in to the same box.

Wingerdinger · 01-24-2021, 05:34 PM

Hi Nathan, and welcome to the forum.
It would be very helpful if you added the year, make and model of your camper in the signature line in your profile.
Unless you have an unusual model, the convertor (not Inverter) is integrated with the fuse panel/power center. This unit contains all your 120volt circuit breakers, as well as a bank of automotive-type 12 volt fuses. It also contains the voltage convertor/charger. It is usually fairly obvious, as it is a larger panel, no less than 14-18" wide, and 12" tall, with an access door that is vented.
A few questions to start.. what kind of problems are you having? Just having a bad battery connected can cause issues.
What works, and what doesn't?

Nathanhamm · 01-25-2021, 07:18 AM

Hi,

I have replaced the battery and the lights are slowly getting dimmer. It would seem that the new battery is not getting charged. I know where the breaker/fuse panel is, I just have not located the converter as of yet.

Thanks,

Nathan

**dagst1** · 01-25-2021, 07:40 AM

Just a silly question but are you plugged in to a 110v power supply?
Have you tried any of the 110 outlets - like your TV?

If you are plugged in to 110 the converter should be supplying the camper with 12 v to run the lights and any other 12 v things while also charging the battery.

Does your converter / fuse/breaker look like any of these? https://wfcoelectronics.com/product-...f-8900-series/

I know it may sound strange looking at the 110 v side but the converter is powered by the 110 outlet so start there. Also turn all the breakers in the power center off then back on sometimes they look good but have actually tripped.

If there is a name on the fuse/breaker box let us know that will help

travelin texans · 01-25-2021, 08:51 AM

Does the rv have a battery disconnect switch/key that's typically used while in storage? If so it must "on" or "connected" otherwise the batteries won't be charged whether plugged into 110 volt or by your vehicle while traveling.
Also the replacement battery, was it a true deep cycle battery? If there's CCA, CA or MCA followed by a number on the top of the battery, NO it's not a true deep cycle, but rather a starting battery like in your vehicle which is not designed for rv use. A true deep cycle will only list aH (amp hours), the bigger the number the better.

Nathanhamm · 01-25-2021, 09:49 AM

Yes, I should have specified. All of the 110 outlets work. Yes, it appears that I have the 8900 power center or something very similar. I just wonder if it needs to be reset with introduction of the new battery?

Also, yes I replaced like for like with a Deep cycle battery. I will have to go look at the amp hours on it.

Thanks,

**dagst1** · 01-25-2021, 10:53 AM

A quick test - disconnect your battery or if you have a battery shut off turn it off. Turn on any 12v light that you can see from the breaker panel. Will it turn on? If yes then the converter is working somewhat if not then turn all the Breakers off - then starting with the main turn them on one at a time and see if the light comes on. if it does not then probably the converter is bad.

With buying a used camper you do not know what may or may not have been changed. This test will give you a baseline to start from.

The converter part of the power center is not hard to change - turn off power - disconnect the wires and mounting screws then remove - installation is the reverse.

When mine went bad the lights would slowly dim then get bright.

Papa-T · 01-25-2021, 12:10 PM

Welcome to the forum

**DavisK** · 01-25-2021, 12:22 PM

Welcome to the forum! I would try what dagst1 suggested.

Wingerdinger · 01-25-2021, 06:18 PM

You have a WFCO 8900 series power center. The converter is contained within that power center. Is it in the bottom. You will see a steel box with a muffin fan in it. That is your converter. Get the manual for it on the WFCO website.
There are two fuse on the converter, which are used for protection against reverse battery leads. Check those fuses, and look for loose connections to the fuse panel. Meter across the main terminals on the converter for 13+ volts DC when on shore power.

Nathanhamm · 01-26-2021, 12:17 PM

To Update, the lights did not work until the battery was replaced. I have since turned off all the breakers to reset and nothing has changed. I will need to check the converter fuses as suggested and get back to you.

Nathan

**dagst1** · 01-26-2021, 12:37 PM

Thanks for the update. One more test. If you have a VOM disconnect the battery and check the voltage on the cables not the battery. The fuses would be good. If they were blown then the battery would not light the lights. I suspect that the converter is bad.

If so the converter section is not hard to change out.

TexSon · 01-28-2021, 03:19 PM

If you are still having trouble locating the converter; mine is located behind the fuse/breaker panel. You have to take it off to see the converter. Obviously, remove shore power and disconnect the battery before taking the panel apart.

MartyinSC · 01-28-2021, 05:07 PM

The batteries may have been installed backwards. On a Crossroads, you have black and white wires, not red and black. You have to think like house wiring. Black is "hot," or positive. White is "return" or negative. If you connected as if black were negative, you likely blew those two big fuses on the converter. Each time you put a charged battery in, it will decay with use. The radio won't work, and the bathroom fan runs backwards, i.e. blows air down instead of sucking air up and out. This is a very common mistake, and is usually cured without damage when wired correctly and the fuses replaced.

**dagst1** · 01-28-2021, 06:01 PM

I do not believe that the fuses are blown. He said that the lights work but the battery discharges and the lights dim while on 110. That indicates that the converter is not charging the battery or supplying power to the camper. The lights are running off the battery rather than the converter.

MartyinSC · 01-28-2021, 06:09 PM

Dagst1, we agree on the cause. Converter not charging the battery. Lights grow dim because battery is not getting charged. Those two big fuses are what is designed to blow in case of reverse installation of the battery. They connect the converter to the 12V main, i.e. to both the battery and the TT. Even a momentary reverse wiring, causing a spark will blow those fuses. Can't get away with just an "Oops!"

**dagst1** · 01-28-2021, 06:56 PM

I stand corrected. Went down to the shop and got a old fuse board from my old power center and if the reverse polarity fuse is blown the converter is disconnected from the fuse panel but the battery + is not. So the battery would not be charged but would still run the inside lights.

Need to pull the cover and check those fuses. The converter may still be ok.

I need to get out of the house and back in the camper.

Miniozzy3 · 01-30-2021, 01:02 PM

If you converter is bad then buy a progressive dynamics one. The wfco ones are terrible.

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