Vern Labs Converter - Fiberglass RV
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Old 05-12-2009, 08:12 PM   #1
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I have a 1977 Beachcomber. It has a Vern Labs Ltd. Model VL15ACM 120v - 12v converter. I know nothing about this. any chance anybody here has one or some info on it.

Can I conect a 12volt battery to it for dc power? will it charge while plugged in to 120?

can't seem to find any info on it, any help would be apreciated
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Old 05-13-2009, 05:04 PM   #2
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If it's the original converter, it's likely too old to do a good job of charging and might destroy the battery if left connected for long periods of time, like in storage.

You might google it to find an owner's manual.
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Old 05-13-2009, 05:08 PM   #3
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If it's the original converter, it's likely too old to do a good job of charging and might destroy the battery if left connected for long periods of time, like in storage.

You might google it to find an owner's manual.
I googled it. all I got was this post. and nothing before that. I am not so worried about storage. I will just charge it with a bench charger. I am more worried about the operation of it for charging while driving, and site use
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Old 05-13-2009, 05:16 PM   #4
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It won't charge while driving -- It needs to be connected to 120VAC to do that. It should function as a 12VDC power supply and un-intelligent battery charger if connected to 120VAC shore power.
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Old 05-13-2009, 05:19 PM   #5
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hmmm. must be some funky wiring there then. I get 12 volts at the output wires on the converter while its conected to the truck
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Old 05-13-2009, 06:04 PM   #6
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hmmm. must be some funky wiring there then. I get 12 volts at the output wires on the converter while its conected to the truck
My guess is that 12v is coming from the truck battery.
When you are disconnected from the truck and pugged in to 110v do you see 12v at the converter.
If not it's dead.
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Old 05-13-2009, 07:13 PM   #7
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My guess is that 12v is coming from the truck battery.
When you are disconnected from the truck and pugged in to 110v do you see 12v at the converter.
If not it's dead.
When disconected from the truck, toggle switch in the converter position, I have 12volts and lights and fridge are working.

the Verne Labs Converter has 2 switch positions. Battery, and Converter.

the heater is convection propane only

I have been looking like mad for a wire diagram, thats all I need and I can see what the heck is going on. Otherwise I'll be ripping out a tonne of wires. LOL
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Old 05-13-2009, 08:19 PM   #8
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When disconected from the truck, toggle switch in the converter position, I have 12volts and lights and fridge are working.

the Verne Labs Converter has 2 switch positions. Battery, and Converter.

the heater is convection propane only

I have been looking like mad for a wire diagram, thats all I need and I can see what the heck is going on. Otherwise I'll be ripping out a tonne of wires. LOL
Sounds like it's working, so if you put a battery from the output positive to battery positive and negative to battery negative it should charge, BUT it will probably need to be monitored or it may overcharge the Battery and boil it dry. Those old converters did that. That why I replaced mine with Progressive Dynamics.

If it like what I think you have AC input and 2 wires output. I'm not sure what the switch is about you'll have to experiment with that. The converter postion obviously does what it says so maybe the battery position only runs stuff off the battery, like maybe it's just on and off for the unit?
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Old 05-13-2009, 11:15 PM   #9
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I was just out looking again. on the converter plate. it says

input 120v AC
outpu 12v AC

??

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Old 05-14-2009, 03:33 AM   #10
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I was just out looking again. on the converter plate. it says

input 120v AC
outpu 12v AC

??
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Old 05-14-2009, 06:34 AM   #11
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why

Maybe I'll have to pull it out and have a cover off look at it. It almost looks like there are 3 wires coming out of the low voltage side. Although there is a crimp conector so close to the box that it is hard to tell. sombody has made a huge mess of this thing.

So..still nobody with any idea of where to find info on operation of this particular model eh?
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Old 05-14-2009, 04:38 PM   #12
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If it's truly 12 AC then there has to be some sort of Diode to change it to DC.
the means it's starting to look ugly.
I just bought a Progressive Dynamics 9145 with the Charge Wizard on ebay for about 127 bucks.
Maybe that's your answer.
I'm afraid you will have to start tracing stuff and make a drawing.
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Old 05-14-2009, 08:03 PM   #13
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I think for safety sake a Progressive Dynamics 9145 with the Charge Wizard will be the next purchase for the beachcomber
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