Starcraft 18RB - Converter Issue?

[JonVP]

Our elixer converter in our 2006 Starcraft 18RB started to make a beeping sound.

We had it working yesterday without a problem. Today when we plugged it in (at home) it has been making a recurring beeping sounds. We tried disconnecting the negative jumper on the battery. Tried turning off all appliances, flicked beakers, and took out fuses. But the beeping continues once fuses are back in and breakers are flipped back on.

Any ideas? We can?t think of anything else.

 

[SpencerPJ]

How old is the battery?  If it won't take a charge, it might be beeping as a default.  Lots of information and threads on the web, but summary is: bad battery or bad Elixer

 

[Rene T]

Welcome. Are you sure it's coming from the converter?  Could it be from the LP detector? A weak battery will make the LP detector beep occasionally.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

What Spencer says...
The beep is the "overload" audible alarm and it comes on when the output voltage from the converter drops below 12.5dcv.  It's intended to mean that you have too much 12v power demand (which includes battery charging), but a failing converter could also do it. A weak battery can contribute to the cause by soaking up a large part of the converter capacitor trying to charge a battery that simply won't accept the charging.  Sort of like pouring water into a bucket that has a hole in the bottom...

3. Overload Protection
If your power demand (including lights, motor and battery charge) exceeds your converter output rating and voltage drops to 12.5V, the audible alarm will sound. Simply reduce your power demand by turning off the last item that triggered the alarm, the alarm will stop and your converter will function again.

Note that we are talking only about 12v power - not 120vac. That means the a/c and other 120vac items are not relevant. Just the things that run on 12v.  If you can turn off some 12v items (or remove some fuses) and the beeping stops, you can be fairly confident the problem is an actual overload (too much 12v demand) rather than a faulty unit.  Still could be battery charging that is the root cause, but it's also conceivable there is a high resistance short in one of the 12v circuits that is sucking excessive amount of power.

A thought: can your refrigerator run n 12vdc as an alternative to 120vac or propane? If so, it consumes a lot of 12v power (amps) and could easily cause the overload condition.

If you don't have the manual for the Elixir, get one at:  https://manualzz.com/doc/6666355/elixir-power-converter---charger---livin-lite-recreationa...

 

[JonVP]

Thanks for input guys, greatly appreciated.

I took the battery off and gave it a charge, it was still at 70% capacity.

Gary: I took out all the 12v fuses and plugged the camper back in and even with fuses out it made small ticking sound.  Not as loud as before but still noticeable.
I also took the battery fuse out as well and that?s when the loud noise comes from the converter.

I?m going to bring the camper into the RV store on Monday and get them to look at. I?m not good with electrical stuff.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Sounds to me like you need a new battery. Or maybe just some distilled water added to the existing one (if the electrolyte level is low).

 

[JonVP]

I bought a new battery today and hooked it up. Unfortunately I?m still getting that annoying sound.

 

[SpencerPJ]

A quick Google search, the Elixer brand does not have the best reputation for quality.  It seems that you will need to replace it, and I would go with a different brand.