Power problems, is it the converter?

[richard parisi]

I hope some of you folks can be of some help, I have been learning a =
whole lot from you guys just by reading, but now I suppose it is my turn =
to share a problem...

Here is my scenario: '76 Birchaven. I have an old Philips 40 amp power =
converter on board, I believe it is OEM. Under normal conditions all =
seems to work fine. However, I notice that sometimes when I run another =
load in the coach, such as the microwave oven, the lights will =
periodically dim for a few seconds, as well as the microwave slowing =
down. This all occurs while I am hooked up to campground power.

I was considering that the converter is just starting to go, and is =
drawing down the line when the voltage isn't just right. Is this =
possible?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks
Rick
76 Birchaven

 

[john wright]

Richard I would suggest that the extra load of the Microwave is causing
the voltage to drop below 120 vac. Do you have a AC Voltage Meter in you
coach? The old Philips converter/charger was marginal at best. The
lower ac voltage is causing the output of the converter to be less than
the battery voltage and your lights dim as a result. I just put a
statpower 40 smart charger in the GMC before I went to Myrtle Beach the
the difference was really noticeable. My light were much brighter all
the time and I would out that my old batteries were really in poor
shape. I put in new interstate 6 volt batteries and the electrically
systems really works well.

J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
77 Eleganza II
Midland, Mi

>
> I hope some of you folks can be of some help, I have been learning a whole lot from you guys just by reading, but now I suppose it is my turn to share a problem...
>
> Here is my scenario: '76 Birchaven. I have an old Philips 40 amp power converter on board, I believe it is OEM. Under normal conditions all seems to work fine. However, I notice that sometimes when I run another load in the coach, such as the microwave oven, the lights will periodically dim for a few seconds, as well as the microwave slowing down. This all occurs while I am hooked up to campground power.
>
> I was considering that the converter is just starting to go, and is drawing down the line when the voltage isn't just right. Is this possible?
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Rick
> 76 Birchaven

 

[mr.c]

If you are using a high rated microwave at 1500 watts, and the heater is connected and on at 1500 w and the A/C... you are running lots of things. Some Campgrounds only provide about 2400 to 3600 watts of power and when you look at the load, plus the converter (which is old and should be replaced)... you might be drawing too much.
Al

> I hope some of you folks can be of some help, I have been learning a whole lot from you guys just by reading, but now I suppose it is my turn to share a problem...
>
> Here is my scenario: '76 Birchaven. I have an old Philips 40 amp power converter on board, I believe it is OEM. Under normal conditions all seems to work fine. However, I notice that sometimes when I run another load in the coach, such as the microwave oven, the lights will periodically dim for a few seconds, as well as the microwave slowing down. This all occurs while I am hooked up to campground power.
>
> I was considering that the converter is just starting to go, and is drawing down the line when the voltage isn't just right. Is this possible?
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Rick
> 76 Birchaven