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Topic ClosedTheory on failed Power Converters & possible fix

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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Theory on failed Power Converters & possible fix
    Posted: 29 Sep 2016 at 7:36am
Thanks for the tip, Chet...I need to try and locate my converter and check this out. Also glad to hear of your cw experience. That is the closest repair facility to me and my purchase experience on a previous camper was not good...glad to hear I could still consider them for service.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 2016 at 1:00am
Oh, we have a 2017 Rpod!!LOL
Randy & Sandra
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 2016 at 12:59am
We are having electrical issues too with our 2016 Rpod 180. The outlets work but the fridge, A/C, slide, lights and radio won't work. Is this something like what your issues were?? I'm not sure where the tray is that you are talking about. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 2016 at 12:58am
We are having electrical issues too with our 2016 Rpod 180. The outlets work but the fridge, A/C, slide, lights and radio won't work. Is this something like what your issues were?? I'm not sure where the tray is that you are talking about. 
Randy & Sandra
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2016 at 10:20pm
The history:  
Brand new 2017 180 and the power converter goes bad.  I took it to Camping World in Cedar Falls, IA (very nice people, highly recommended) for warranty repair.  They verify it is bad and replace it.  Short time passes, along with roughly 4,000 towing miles, and converter goes bad again.  Could still get a warranty replacement but I'm not much for repeating bad history.

The theory:
I had been plugging in to known power drops at facilities I have visited many times in the past, so in addition to having a history of good power, I also metered the last one where the converter gave up the ghost.  Power was within spec.  My theory is this; the tray which supports the converter in the power center has quite a bit of movement and I believe it simply vibrates the converters to death.  As I cover a LOT of mileage, a large portion on midwest secondary roads, I'm seeing it more frequently than most.  On average, a converter about every 3,500-4,000 miles at this point.

The fix:
Eliminate the wiggle factor.  I simply cut to size a piece of blueboard insulation I found on property and wedged it underneath the tray, along with a piece of two-sided tape to hold it in place, which eliminated the wiggle.  You could use anything else that would fit snugly underneath the tray.  To access (in a 180) simply remove the seat cushion and using a phillips screw driver, remove the wooden cover and it's all right there.  

One step further:
I also swapped out the bad converter for a new Progressive Dynamics 9260.  It's a bit of overkill but I have had good luck with them in the past and I no longer trust the factory converters.  The swap is very easy and straight forward.  If you decide to go this route, install a female plug utilizing the power wires currently running to the factory converter and at that point the 9260 becomes plug and play.  I simply used good, two-sided tape to hold the new converter in place in the newly de-wiggled tray.  So far, so good.
Former 2017 rPod 180 owner
Now in a 2019 Little Guy MAX
Full timer who logs more than 35,000 miles per year.
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