Connect Magazine

3927 CONVERTER PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS INVERTER PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS TRANSFER SWITCHES PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS PROBLEM: WILL NOT PASS THROUGH ON SHORE POWER. SOLUTION: T-30 check VAC coming into shore pigtails to verify voltage to the transfer switch. Also check for good connections to the transfer switch. PROBLEM: WILL NOT PASS THROUGH ON GENERATOR POWER. SOLUTION: Ensure proper voltage from generator to transfer switch. If proper voltage is getting to transfer switch, cut all power off, verify no voltage inside the transfer switch and check for debris in the relays of the transfer switch. FACT: Transfer switch will only passthrough what is wired in. Transfer switch cannot generate high voltage or spikes. The Truth Behind Common Power Misconceptions · Batteries are not required for WFCO converters to function. · WFCO converters are not built to withstand high voltage situations like plugging into the wrong power source, lightning strikes, or power surges. Surge protectors are recommended for protection. · Converters have no effect on 110VAC appliances or outlets. If your outlets are INOP, the converter is not the problem. Further diagnostic tests are required to find the source. · WFCO converters convert VAC to VDC only, does not invert VDC to VAC. · With any converter, the potential to trip GFCI protected poles exists. PROBLEM: RED LED WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND FUSE IS GOOD. SOLUTION: Ensure affected circuit wire is not touching metal or another branch circuit. PROBLEM: RED LED WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON AND FUSE IS BAD. SOLUTION: Ensure the load on the circuit is present. For example, circuit #4 bathroom lights: ensure light switch is in the on position to simulate the load being present. If switch is in the off position, the load is not present and the LED will not light up. PROBLEM: CONVERTER NOT CHARGING BATTERY, BUT ALL 12V APPLIANCES ARE OPERATIONAL. SOLUTION: 8700 Series: Check #4 fuse on WF-8712/25 or #6 fuse on WF-8735/40 (this is your battery positive). FACT: Voltage will be present on both sides of the DC fuse terminals due to the LED circuit. PROBLEM: INVERTER KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE TOWING CAMPER DOW THE ROAD. SOLUTION: Check voltage of alternator of towing vehicle. Inverter will shut down at 15VDC. PROBLEM: INVERTER SHOWS ERROR CODE E-04. SOLUTION: Check battery for low-voltage or dead cell. Inverter will shut down around 10VDC. Battery voltage will be higher before the inverter is turned on. Watch battery voltage when inverter is turned on with a load. PROBLEM: INVERTER LCD SCREEN INDICATING PROPER OUTPUT VOLTAGE, BUT VOLTAGE IS LOW AT THE OUTPUT WIRES. SOLUTION: Call WFCO Tech Support for authorization to open WF-5110 to fix. Wire pulled off board of inverter during the installation process. You can receive lots of helpful technical support and news in our quarterly Heartbeat Bulletin for the RV Aftermarket by going to the WFCO website at www.wfcoelectronics.com and clicking on “Subscribe to Bulletin” in the upper right corner. Then click on “AFTERMARKET Dealer News,” enter your name and email and submit. That’s it! Subscribe to the WFCO Heartbeat Bulletin. The RV Industry’s Electrical Authority Our Power Pros™ provide expert technical support for everything the RV industry needs. Visit wfcoelectronics.com/support. 24 Bad ground connections are a problem. Typically, the method they used for grounding the 12 VDC grounds is a big wire nut or a scotch lock, which can and will work loose from road travel. It is recommended that a ground bus bar is used for the 12 VDC ground. Grounding issues cause numerous bad connections throughout the 12 VDC circuits. Most charging issues are cured when a correct/good connection has been made on the 12 VDC ground side. Cleaning and maintaining the battery connections is also a very good practice. Continually tripping circuit breakers or blowing fuses. Take the time to collect load information on the circuits and fuse them accordingly to the connected loads. Having too many circuits on one branch may cause an overload situation that could trip the breaker or blow the fuse. Be mindful of start-up currents for motors and some big appliances as they draw large amounts of power until they enter the run mode. Also, check to make sure fuses are seated properly into the terminals. A loose fuse can cause it to blow or provide intermittent operation on that circuit. Over the years, our team of Power Pros™ have been working hand-in-hand with manufacturer production lines to ensure WFCO products are installed properly and utilized to their fullest potential. Our goal is to help make sure our products are installed correctly to minimize the potential for problems down the road. We are often asked about common missteps to look out for, and how to best resolve them. Below, we address five possible installation issues and the steps to solve them. Most involve fairly simple solutions that, if implemented, can prevent warranty claims and other complications in the future. AC and DC wires on converters are not torqued to the proper torque specification. Under torqued wire connections, both on the AC and DC sides, can cause heat build-up and reduced power transfer. Make sure all connections are torqued to spec if a torque wrench is available or, if not, are very snug without over torquing. The converter is mounted in a location with no ventilation. All converters are equipped with a fan to circulate cooler air across the internal components. If no fresh air ventilation is provided for the converter, it could overheat and shut down. Make sure the fan has access to fresh incoming air so the converter is properly ventilated. The battery is not charging properly. This could be caused by using the incorrect wire size needed for the distance from the battery to the converter. Long distances between the battery and the converter cause a voltage drop in the wire which lowers the available power. Larger wire sizes help reduce the voltage drop. So, shorter wire runs between the battery and the converter, in conjunction with a larger wire size, are always a good way to help minimize the voltage drop. 1 2 3 4 5 Installation Tips from the Power Pros™ NEED MORE ASSISTANCE? Check out our online video gallery for step-by-step installation guidance for some of our most popular products @ www.wfcotech.com/support/supportvideos/ TECH TIPS

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