Inverter By-Pass

[Jon Wehrenberg]

We had three converters in our original coach, two 12 Volt for the house, and one 24 volt for the chassis. We also had a 2000 watt inverter (not with a built in charger, just the inverter).

The converters as was pointed out were marine types and they not only charged the batteries, but if we chose we could also run all the 12 volt lights and devices from them. We never appreciated that particular feature until July 2004 when we lived in the coach for three days after our batteries quit working.

[JIM KELLER]

We had three converters in our original coach, two 12 Volt for the house, and one 24 volt for the chassis. We also had a 2000 watt inverter (not with a built in charger, just the inverter).

The converters as was pointed out were marine types and they not only charged the batteries, but if we chose we could also run all the 12 volt lights and devices from them. We never appreciated that particular feature until July 2004 when we lived in the coach for three days after our batteries quit working.

Jon, What was the original cause of that fire ?

[Just Plain Jeff]

Lousy maintenance and dirty engine compartment.

[JIM KELLER]

Lousy maintenance and dirty engine compartment.

THAT INDEED, IS FUNNY !

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Don't believe the woodwacker. I made the mistake of having Carrier change out the AC compressor. It is seen in the picture. They not only left off the pressure unloaders, they argued with me that they were not required.

We got 400 miles when a trucker told us we were on fire.

As near as I can determine, based on where the fire was and what we encountered when we put it out with the fire extinguishers and the water on board it originated with the AC compressor. I surmise the internal system pressures built up due to the lack of unloaders, and the rear compressor seal behind the clutch failed. The oil and freon discharged under pressure from that location, and when the compressor locked up the drive belt continued to spin, heated up and caught fire, and that ignited the gas and compressor oil still blowing out the failed seal.

It was literally a blowtorch behind the clutch and the flame spread up and around the RH tailight stack and down across the 10 batteries. See if you can find ten batteries in that picture.

The fire got so hot the filter element of the air cleaner was on fire even though there is no metal to filter element contact.

The damage never went beyond what you see, so after towing it to Prevost JAX from Jasper County, SC we lived in it for 3 more days while emptying it. 100% of the house worked, we had water on board and the 12V pump worked via the converters, all electric from the Prevost power supply and through the converters, we had AC, TV, etc. Even the clothes in the closet were undamaged and there was no smell of smoke or fire.

The picture was taken right after the fire. The gray carpet on the walls was not sooted up as the picture may lead you to believe.

[Just Plain Jeff]

I made the mistake of having Carrier change out the AC compressor. It is seen in the picture. They not only left off the pressure unloaders, they argued with me that they were not required.

Yeah sure, blame on another guy.

We've heard that one before.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I now own all my own AC tools, gauges, vacuum pump, scale, leak detector, etc. From now on I take all the blame.

Carrier offered to replace the compressor, no charge, under warranty. I declined.

[truk4u]

Jim,

I checked mine out, with the inverters off, unplugged from shore power, the fridge is also dead. I also shut off the inverters and then plugged back in and all 110v systems were alive. I like this, cause if the inverters fail, I still have all my 110v power, but will probably lose the charging function.

[JIM KELLER]

Don't believe the woodwacker. I made the mistake of having Carrier change out the AC compressor. It is seen in the picture. They not only left off the pressure unloaders, they argued with me that they were not required.

We got 400 miles when a trucker told us we were on fire.

As near as I can determine, based on where the fire was and what we encountered when we put it out with the fire extinguishers and the water on board it originated with the AC compressor. I surmise the internal system pressures built up due to the lack of unloaders, and the rear compressor seal behind the clutch failed. The oil and freon discharged under pressure from that location, and when the compressor locked up the drive belt continued to spin, heated up and caught fire, and that ignited the gas and compressor oil still blowing out the failed seal.

It was literally a blowtorch behind the clutch and the flame spread up and around the RH tailight stack and down across the 10 batteries. See if you can find ten batteries in that picture.

The fire got so hot the filter element of the air cleaner was on fire even though there is no metal to filter element contact.

The damage never went beyond what you see, so after towing it to Prevost JAX from Jasper County, SC we lived in it for 3 more days while emptying it. 100% of the house worked, we had water on board and the 12V pump worked via the converters, all electric from the Prevost power supply and through the converters, we had AC, TV, etc. Even the clothes in the closet were undamaged and there was no smell of smoke or fire.

The picture was taken right after the fire. The gray carpet on the walls was not sooted up as the picture may lead you to believe.

WOW ! If your insurance company paid the claim I hope they subrogated against Carrier to reduce your loss ratio. Also, like my tire issue' there is a lot of creditability to leaving the CB on while driving down the road. Interesting how all the batteries were mounted so far behind the rear axle. P.S. Was Di stressed when you got out and saw the fire ? Karen would have freaked out !

[Jon Wehrenberg]

My insurance company went after Carrier. I assume Carrier caved and did not fight it because they knew they screwed up.

We were heading down to Di and her sister's mom's 85th birthday in FL. We barely got out of the coach because the electric died about a nanosecond after I slid the floor and unlocked the door. I no longer drive with the door locked.

To say everybody freaked was an understatement. First, I couldn't get them to understand they needed to get out of the coach...NOW! Deer in the headlights type immobilization. We managed to get the fire out, but by the time we had the tow truck head down the interstate with the bus on a hook at least three hours passed and after the initial shock the rest of the time was spent worrying about our coach that we had for 15 years. It was fully repaired and sold immediately, but that took 9 months. Prevost is slow.

Notice the new compressor had unloader valves.