Troubleshooting Power Converter on Trailer Making Clicking Sound Lights Blinking

Updated 03/03/2020 | Published 03/01/2020

Question:

I recently noticed an issue where my power converter was making repetitive clicking sounds, associated with blinking lights throughout the trailer. I thought “hmmmmm....wonder what’s going on there”. I found that by reducing the DC electrical load, turning some lights, fans, furnace blower off, this would stop, and lights and converter would go back to functioning normally. Max the load out, even a little, and itd immediately happen again. Any idea what might be happening here? Is it a circuit breaker cycling in the power converter? I am preparing to leave on a long trip. Part of that was getting the 12 volt batteries tested, and they were bad....is this a possible cause? If I put 6 volt AGM deep cycle batts in, will the trailer’s power converter charge them correctly?

asked by: Patrick

Expert Reply:

It sounds like the batteries being bad are tripping the circuit breaker of the converter on your trailer. If you used 6 volt batteries you would need to use 2 batteries wired in series to make 12 volts or they wouldn't power your 12V accessories on the trailer.

If the batteries are bad they will not accept power so the power is going back through the converter and tripping the breaker. When you reduce the load the appliances are pulling power directly from the converter but when you max out the load the converter cannot handle it. For example the Progressive Dynamics RV Power Control Center with AC/DC Panel and Converter part # PD4560K18LS8 is only designed to handle 60 amps. I recommend to replace your batteries first and then see how the converter reacts. If you still are having these issues please let me know the details of your converter because it may need to be replaced.

expert reply by: Heather A