Voltage 3950 - Converter Problems - Dutchmen Owners
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Old 09-10-2016, 02:12 PM   #1
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Voltage 3950 - Converter Problems

Batteries aren't charging when plugged in to shore power. Very frustrating. Where is the converter on these units? Ours is a 2012 or 2013 I think.

Is it behind the fuse panel? If so, is it easier to access through the storage area, or do you need to pull the cabinet apart inside the trailer?

Owners manual is no help.

Lastly, what is the best option for replacing it?

Thank you!
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Old 09-10-2016, 03:19 PM   #2
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Well it's not through the storage compartment. The furnace sits between the fuse/breaker panel and the storage compartment.
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Old 09-10-2016, 06:09 PM   #3
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Have you done any trouble shooting on the OEM converter? There are usually a couple of fuses that protect the converter. If you go to the converter manufacturers web site, you should be able to find a manual for the converter/panel and their trouble shooting guide.

Take the front cover off of your distribution panel, you should see the converter below the fuses? It is a seperate module held in place with screws, it slides out and everything is should be accessible from the front.

Go to the Progressive Dynamics site and look up your panel make and model, for options if you need to replace it. This is the converter that most folks recommend as a replacement, I certainly haven't been disappointed.

RV and Marine Power Converters and Chargers
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Old 09-10-2016, 08:21 PM   #4
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Which model of converter do you have now? The converter should be below/behind the fuse/breaker panel. In some cases it may be remote mounted, but that is not all that common. You probably have a WFCO 8900 series. The converter section is very easy to swap out for a Progressive Dynamics, the PD will do a better job on keeping the batteries charged and maintained and won't be crapping out on you again in short order.

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Old 09-11-2016, 10:02 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smackdaddy66 View Post
Batteries aren't charging when plugged in to shore power. Very frustrating. Where is the converter on these units? Ours is a 2012 or 2013 I think.

Is it behind the fuse panel? If so, is it easier to access through the storage area, or do you need to pull the cabinet apart inside the trailer?

Owners manual is no help.

Lastly, what is the best option for replacing it?

Thank you!
Granted mine is a 2014, but mine was located behind the wet bay compartment under the steps going from the living room to the bedroom.
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Old 09-12-2016, 12:26 PM   #6
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Found it! Yes, when looking in the front storage compartment from the entry side of the trailer, you must remove the panel where the vacuum box is. It's the only panel running parallel with the trailer.

3 fuses are blown. All of them 35 Amp. Quick and cheap fix, provided my battery cables are now correct.
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Old 09-12-2016, 04:59 PM   #7
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Old 09-12-2016, 05:38 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smackdaddy66 View Post
Found it! Yes, when looking in the front storage compartment from the entry side of the trailer, you must remove the panel where the vacuum box is. It's the only panel running parallel with the trailer.

3 fuses are blown. All of them 35 Amp. Quick and cheap fix, provided my battery cables are now correct.
There you go.

The terminals on the converter are very clearly marked, positive and negative on the 12V side and the 120V side. There is also (at least on my old converter) another fuse or two on the board, you have to remove the converter to check them. One of them was soldered on to the board, if I remember correctly that's the one that is supposed to protect the circuit board.

If you go look at the Progressive Dynamics site, find their replacement for your converter and take a look at their installation manual. They have some very good pictures of the OEM showing which terminal is which. Sounds like your haven't gotten into that if your 35A fues on the panel all went.

Do you have a surge protector, a Kill-a-volt or even a receptical tester. Any one of them can give you a picture of what's happening on the 120V side.

I've gone with a hard wired surge protector, for my money that's the best way to go. It goes through it's little diagnostic and if there is ANY problem with the incoming power, it fails to start and gives you an error message of the problem. It will also shutdown if you have a high or low voltage problem, that kills things like A/Cs.

Glad you found it, hope it was just a one time thing.
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