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Old 11-14-2016, 05:52 PM   #1
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Cool Slide stopped working possible power surge

Guys this morning I set my main power cord out and a heavy cable running to the house. I had it attached to the camper and then the house and connected it in the middle and the connect made a decent pop. I think I tripped something however I have checked the gfi's, no leds lit up in fuse panel, reset the breaker, and the microwave works in the camper. Neither of my slides work because of this so I figured electrical?
I have 2012 289rks....thanks ahead
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Old 11-14-2016, 09:05 PM   #2
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Can't really help... But I always throw the breaker in the house, connect the RV then turn the house breaker back on. May help alleviate future problems.
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Old 11-15-2016, 12:38 AM   #3
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yeah I had a bad feeling when I plugged it in! Has to be electrical. Maybe a relay? Im guessing AND burning daylight at this point lol
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Old 11-15-2016, 01:52 AM   #4
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I'm guessing you blew the converter, and the batteries won't carry the slide. What kind of cords, adapters, and house outlet did you use?
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Old 11-15-2016, 01:05 PM   #5
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It would be nice if they that care, would add a sticker somewhere stating, SHORE POWER SHOULD BE OFF BEFORE CONNECTING THE RV or else we'll be forced to sell you expensive parts because we don't want to spend 1/2 of 1 penny to protect you from our ineptness.
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Old 11-15-2016, 01:07 PM   #6
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well the microwave worked so that wouldn't work either if the converter was done correct? Cords are heavy gauge Rigid cable 50' and the camper with reducers. Never an issue with this combo
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Old 11-15-2016, 01:14 PM   #7
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well the microwave worked so that wouldn't work either if the converter was done correct? Cords are heavy gauge Rigid cable 50' and the camper with reducers. Never an issue with this combo
The microwave is 110 volt AC and isn't powered by the converter.

The converter is what takes the incoming AC and converts it to 12 volt DC for the stuff that needs it.
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Old 11-15-2016, 01:38 PM   #8
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so you guys best guess is the converter then?? is it behind the breaker panel? any way to verify thats the issue before I tear it out?
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Old 11-15-2016, 01:56 PM   #9
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I don't know where it's located in your RV.
I would start diagnosis at the transfer switch and then continue to the input side of the converter and then the output side of it before replacing it.
I know Aaron will advise replacing the converter if it's a WAFCO

You could source 12 volts DC and do a direct connect on the wires coming from the output side of the converter, basically bypassing it. Check the 12 volt components for operation, including the slide. That will give you the health of the 12 volt system and confirm the converter took a dump.
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Old 11-15-2016, 03:31 PM   #10
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Can't really help... But I always throw the breaker in the house, connect the RV then turn the house breaker back on. May help alleviate future problems.
That's what you're supposed to do at campsite pedestals, too. Prevents sparking at the plug. In those cases where the circuit breaker is not at the pedestal, I turn off the main breaker in the TT. The whole point is to prevent a wiggly connection from arcing.
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Old 11-15-2016, 03:35 PM   #11
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well the microwave worked so that wouldn't work either if the converter was done correct? Cords are heavy gauge Rigid cable 50' and the camper with reducers. Never an issue with this combo
Reducers? Plural? Are you adapting from 50 amp to 30 amp, and then again to 20 Amp? If you are, you should make sure virtually everything (fridge, AC, water heater, etc) is OFF before you connect power. Using just a 20 amp (or worse, a household 15 amp) outlet would just barely be enough for your converter, let alone anything else.
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Old 11-15-2016, 03:54 PM   #12
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The slides are 12 Volt and run off the batteries. Ck your battery disconnect switch and battery connections. Do the lights and other 12 volt items work?
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Old 11-15-2016, 09:29 PM   #13
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The slides are 12 Volt and run off the batteries. Ck your battery disconnect switch and battery connections. Do the lights and other 12 volt items work?
yes battery seems fine....lights and tongue jack work fine
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Old 11-15-2016, 09:32 PM   #14
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I don't know where it's located in your RV.
I would start diagnosis at the transfer switch and then continue to the input side of the converter and then the output side of it before replacing it.
I know Aaron will advise replacing the converter if it's a WAFCO

You could source 12 volts DC and do a direct connect on the wires coming from the output side of the converter, basically bypassing it. Check the 12 volt components for operation, including the slide. That will give you the health of the 12 volt system and confirm the converter took a dump.
ok thanks!
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Old 11-15-2016, 10:45 PM   #15
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yes battery seems fine....lights and tongue jack work fine
Do you know how to use a Volt Meter? Start checking down the line for lack of power heading towards the slides. Have you checked the fuses in the converter that are for the slides? There may be in line fuses too. Not sure which slide system you have, do you have electric motors that may have a thermal reset on the motor? Lots of possibilities.

Check output on from the converter too. Make sure it is putting out proper voltage. As nitro943 pointed out I am NOT a fan of WFCO stuff. I have had several of their converters crap out on me over the years. The only reason the OEM still use them is because they are cheap. They have a known issue with properly charging a battery. IMHO the only worse converter on the market was the old Uni-Volt that Airstream used to use. That puppy could boil a battery dry in less than a week.

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Old 11-16-2016, 11:54 AM   #16
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[URL=http://s1057.photobucket.com/user/nitro943/media/rzr%2015_zpsrdnkrkta.jpg.html
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Old 11-16-2016, 12:04 PM   #17
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Old 11-16-2016, 12:49 PM   #18
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[QUOTE=nitro943;46988][/QUOTE
Now that's some fugly wiring.
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Old 11-16-2016, 04:10 PM   #19
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My suspicions confirmed. Please re-read my post #11, above. People don't realize the limitations incurred when using step-down adapters. Get a professional to install a real 50 Amp RV outlet at your home, where you park it.
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Old 11-16-2016, 05:14 PM   #20
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I think you guys are talking about 2 different issues.

1. The slides are 12 volt and that has nothing to do with the use of extension cords and step downs. There is a fairly logical problem to the slides issue. Fuses, slide switch malfunction or wiring disconnect/break. He said the batteries are good.
2, The step down via extension cords. I'v used a similar arrangement for years to keep my fridg running, batteries charged, etc. As long as you're not trying to run the AC, microwave, or other high powered appliances that arrangement works just fine. Granted it's not the best or prettiest setup but it works.

Just my 2 cents
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