Power Converter Problems????

[tracey5290]

New here...so thanks in advance for any help or guidance.

I have a 2012 Open Range 293R. It came with the WFCO 9865 converter. Since brand new, I would flip on the bedroom lights and the converter fan would blow. Shut the lights off and the converter fan would stop.
That was the only time I would ever hear the fan. Starting yesterday, I switched the bedroom lights on and the fan would start, in a few minutes the lights would start to dim and almost go out completely. Then I'd hear a high pitched squeak coming from the converter fan. I also have a 12V Deep Cycle marine battery that looks to be fully charged. I'm thinking that it is time to replace the converter, but I'm wondering why the fan turns on all the time that the bedroom lights are on, then turns off when I shut the lights off????

[tracey5290]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I ran most of the tests and it did turn out to be the converter. The power in my rv is now better than it's ever been. I think it was a weak or poor converter from the very beginning.

[Huntindog]

tracey5290 wrote:
New here...so thanks in advance for any help or guidance.

I have a 2012 Open Range 293R. It came with the WFCO 9865 converter. Since brand new, I would flip on the bedroom lights and the converter fan would blow. Shut the lights off and the converter fan would stop.
That was the only time I would ever hear the fan. Starting yesterday, I switched the bedroom lights on and the fan would start, in a few minutes the lights would start to dim and almost go out completely. Then I'd hear a high pitched squeak coming from the converter fan. I also have a 12V Deep Cycle marine battery that looks to be fully charged. I'm thinking that it is time to replace the converter, but I'm wondering why the fan turns on all the time that the bedroom lights are on, then turns off when I shut the lights off????

I had that converter. It did the same with the fan coming on with the lights. When I switched to LEDs, that stopped.... I replaced it later as those WFCOs just don't work as designed. They usually are stuck at 13.6 volts. Most people replace them because they want the boost voltage to come on.. I replaced mine because it would never go into float (13.2) which was too much for phoenix's summer heat and was boiling off my batteries.

It appears that your WFCO has a problem. It isn't worth fixing. The power max I replaced it with was pretty cheap and actually works as designed. I suggest you do the same and just move on.

[LVJJJ]

may be a bad ground. Always check the ground first.

[time2roll]

OK now do the same tests without the battery connected and post the actual voltage during the test.

[WayneAt63044]

By the way, I'm on my 4th trailer and have never had to replace a converter. My current one is the same as yours.

[WayneAt63044]

The converter load prior to turning on the lights is charging the battery, operating propane detector, refer electronics, radio (even when off there is a little bit of a load). Maybe other 12v devices? Could it be working hard to keep an old battery charged? Is the battery original and 6 years old? What's the actual battery voltage when it's disconnected? The fan bearing may need lubed if squeaking.

[Old-Biscuit]

Converter fan is there to cool the converter components that heat up during use
Converter sounds like it was having heat issues from the beginning

WFCO 9865 is rated to provide 65A of DC Power...should have been capable of full DC Panel load and charging of battery
Heat is generated as demand increases......fan is a variable speed current controlled design

So sounds like LOOSE wiring either at DC Dist Panel or on that light circuit cause of HIGH Current Flow when lights are on