Scamp 5er electrical problem

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

While you're on the line, Byron:

I think you must have looked at the Scamp wiring diagram:

If the converter is working properly, shouldn't it be putting 12v power directly to the various fixtures, and working independently of the battery?

Francesca

If the battery has a shorted cell, the converter/charger will attempt to charge it with a full 20+ amp (American Converter, which is what Scamp was using for quite awhile). If the battery wants more, which it would with a shorted cell, the converter/charger will fold back to lower voltage to the point of putting out a maximum of 20 amps. Any other 12 volt item you turned on would attempt to increase the current output and cause a lower voltage output and converter would still be supplying only 20 amps.

Hope that makes sense to you.

One real problem with people that put in 45 amp converter/chargers, the wiring isn't big enough to handle 45 amps. With a 45 amp converter/charger, current 20 amp wiring, and a battery with a shorted cell you could have a bit of a fire.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Hambone

At least on my scamp the converter will power all 12 volt circuits without a battery hooked up

See my response to Francesca.

Celial could pull the battery and see it things come and work properly then. That would confirm that she has a bad battery.

[Thomas G.]

Now if she has one of those cheap, plug in $2.50 voltage readers, we'd have more to go on.





Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Hambone

At least on my Scamp the converter will power all 12 volt circuits without a battery hooked up

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

Celia could pull the battery and see it things come and work properly then. That would confirm that she has a bad battery.

Hear that, Celia? An easy way to isolate the problem, or at least narrow it down!

Francesca

[CeliaL]

So I think I've found all the fuses, wiring, etc., although what I have is not what Scamp uses now... I unhooked the battery and had NO power inside to the 12V - so it is the converter. Ordered a new one and all the stuff that goes with it, install next week I hope. Thanks for the help

[Francesca Knowles]

Good goin', Celia!

And here's hoping that the old converter didn't fry the battery so you won't have to buy a new one of those, too...

Keep us posted!

Francesca

[CeliaL]

Update! My electrical engineer friend was over; we traced back all the wiring, fuses, checked with and without the battery - and the problem was a shorted PUMP! Apparently the switch to the water pump was left on (oops) and the short took out the battery and all the other 12V stuff. Never blew the fuse though. The battery, converter, switch breaker box, and all the fuses are fine. Tomorrow I'll find out if Scamp will take all the unneeded parts back... We labeled everything and I got a crash course in trouble shooting, so hopefully the next time I can narrow down the problem faster. Still not sure I can fix it though Thank you all again!