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I have a 1998 Southwind Storm which - when plugged in to 120AC power - still drains the deep cycle batteries. All 120 outlets have power, so I'm thinking this is either the converter or a fuse to the converter. Without a users manual, though, I am having a hard time locating that fuse. Do you know where it is? Also is there a simple test I can do to diagnose this problem?
Optional Information: Year: 1998 Make: Ford Make (other): Fleetwood Model: Southwind Storm Engine: Triton V10 Already Tried: pulling some fuses and looking at them
Hi: Thank you for coming to Just Answer with your question. My name is XXXXX XXXXX perhaps I can assist you with this issue.What is the make of your power center where all the fuses and breakers are? Most of this era were made by Magnetek and look like this one HERE. Once I know this I can assist you in some testing.
Where might I find that? The only thing I have seen so far is a plastic black box in the engine compartment with a bunch of 40-60A fuses (look like 12VDC fuses like you'd see in a car, only bigger). Haven't been able to locate anything that looks like a 120VAC electrical component. I've looked under the steps where the deep cycle batteries are located and in several exterior compartments, including the one in the rear on the driver's side where the 120 cord comes in.
Look inside.............usually under the fridge or on the bed pedestal. Did you look at the link I gave you? About 18" square and dark brown. If you have one over the fridge then the converter is a stand alone unit and may be under the fridge or bed. Get back to me once you find this and I can direct you in testing it.
Power Tec PDC-1002 under the fridge
Those are NLA and you might be able to get it repaired if this is bad. We can test this if you have a multimeter. Those can be found at most automotive or hardware stores for about $15 to $35 for a digital readout version. These are easy to use and come with instructions. Be sure all the breakers are on and that you have AC power to the box. A Meter can tell you this. Once you know this you can take a reading out of the unit on the DC circuits to see what, if any voltage the unit is putting out. You are looking for about 13.7 VDC give or take a tenth. If you don't have that you need to have it repaired. I would give Fleetwood Customer Service a call at(NNN) NNN-NNNNand see what their requirements are for sending it in. Please get back to me if you need more help with this. R.J.
I have a multimeter somewhere, so when I find it I'll check those things out. I'm gathering from your answer then that the 120 feeds a converter that feed each of those 12VDC appliances separately rather than simply feeding a slightly-higher-than-12V to the battery? There was something called a Total Charge Management System under there as well with leads that seem to be headed off to the deep cycle batteries. Is that thing of interest?I'll see if I can locate a multi-meter in the next couple hours and get some measurements on the box you mentioned.Thanks.
The converter is powered by 120 VAC and then if it is working properly it puts out about 13.7 VDC to the fuses and appliances. Another thing to check is to see if the power is getting through the shortstop breaker to the batteries IF you have the proper voltage. Go HERE for what you are looking for. Most have a button on the side that you push to reset them. I can't recall if that model converter has reverse polarity fuses, but check that as well. They will be on the unit. Most are 30 amp blade fuses. All the later style converters have them. If this is bad I would replace it with a TempAssure by Parallax, but there are other good ones as well. Shop around as the price varies. Get back to me if you need more. R.J.
So I tested the terminal block on the 12V side of that board with the breakers on it and came up with 11.97V, so things are not going according to plan. Is that other box I mentioned earlier (TCMS) the converter, or is that something else? Interestingly it does not register anything at all across its negative and positive terminals (the positive of which leads to that terminal block on the PDC-1002), which makes me wonder if it is not grounded properly.
I don't know what they may have added............but if you took the DC voltage reading right out of the converter or at the fuse block and only have 11.97 VDC with the AC power to the unit you don't have anything coming out. Sounds like it is time for an upgrade.
Is the TCMS the same as the converter?
No..............the Power Tec unit is the converter. Without a make and model of the other item I am not sure what that is...........wrong place for an energy management system. With a new converter you don't need it, whatever it was.
Experience: RVDA/RVIA MASTER CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN WITH MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE
Alright, well thank you for your time. I'm accepting your answer now. If you can make a recommendation, perhaps send a link, to a new part, I'd appreciate it. Thank you.
There are a number of good ones, but I like the TempAssure by Parallax. About $250 or so depending on where you buy it. Check E-Bay Motors and Amazon and PPL RV parts online. Good for extending battery life. Easy to hook up. If you need help with that portion please get back to me. R.J.
Thank you for the nice bonus............much appreciated! Please tell your friends about our service here on Just Answer. Most of the time we can get you an immediate answer to your question and help you with the solution and save you a bunch of $$$ besides. Have a great New Year and be safe.............R.J.
Cool, just FYI for the future: "TCMS (Total Charge Management System)" is what InteliPower puts on the side of there PD9100 series boxes; I just couldn't see the main sticker, b/c it was covered with dust. In my case it turns out the PD9155 (55A converrter) is blown (plugged in to a working outlet and putting out nothing - it kinda appears to be putting out 11.9V, but this is clearly because the leads go to the house battery). I replaced it with a PD9160 (60A but otherwise the same) that I got for $200 including shipping. Your answer definitely led me to a place where I could discover all of that. Thank you.CheersJohn
Thanks for letting me know, John............come back again if you need more "down the road" and be safe! R.J.