Forum Discussion

RollandB's avatar
RollandB
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014

Location for Converter/Charger

I have a Parrallax 555 distribution box with a single stage charger and converter tucked in the lower portion of the unit. My 5er is a rear kitchen, the distribution box is located below the oven. With planning to do some dry camping in the future I will be changing the converter/charger to a PowerMax Boondocker that Randy at Best Converter recomments, then changing the batteries (located in the front and are soon needing replaced). It can installed in the same place of what is there now, but my question is if it can be located in another area. The Boondocker has the reverse polarity fused on the back, so should something happen would be pulling it apart just to check the fuses. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
  • RollandB's avatar
    RollandB
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2014
    Thanks to everyone for your comments and thoughts, it gives me more to contemplate before I make the change. My thoughts have been to move it to a compartment closer and adjacent to the batteries which is about 20' closer than where it is now. But as Old Busiquit shared, it's some work that makes getting to the fuses a bit more convenient some work than may never be needed. Again, thanks!
  • 12thgenusa's avatar
    12thgenusa
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2014
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    So how did you tie in ALL the 12V DC circuits that were supported by the converter.

    Allworth wrote:
    Add a single DC buss wire to carry the positive side from the new converter location to the input lug of the 12volt fuse block.

    All 12-volt circuits are still connected at the distribution panel. The converter is now connected to the battery end of the original converter output charging wire. Longer wire from converter to circuits, but much shorter wire for charging which is what you want.
  • Allworth's avatar
    Allworth
    Explorer II
    Apr 18, 2014
    Add a single DC buss wire to carry the positive side from the new converter location to the input lug of the 12volt fuse block.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Apr 18, 2014
    12thgenusa wrote:
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Relocating it can be done BUT that is going to require a lot of extra wiring.

    12V battery cables
    ALL of the 12V DC wires to various circuits
    The 110V wire to the converter

    No it's not that much work if you leave the distribution panel where it is and just move the converter, no extra wires except for 120vac to power the converter if there is none available at the new location.

    I moved a WFCO from the back of the trailer under the fridge to the front next to the batteries. Made a huge difference in performance.


    So how did you tie in ALL the 12V DC circuits that were supported by the converter.
  • 12thgenusa's avatar
    12thgenusa
    Explorer
    Apr 18, 2014
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Relocating it can be done BUT that is going to require a lot of extra wiring.

    12V battery cables
    ALL of the 12V DC wires to various circuits
    The 110V wire to the converter

    No it's not that much work if you leave the distribution panel where it is and just move the converter, no extra wires except for 120vac to power the converter if there is none available at the new location.

    I moved a WFCO from the back of the trailer under the fridge to the front next to the batteries. Made a huge difference in performance.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Apr 18, 2014
    Relocating it can be done BUT that is going to require a lot of extra wiring.

    12V battery cables
    ALL of the 12V DC wires to various circuits
    The 110V wire to the converter


    The reverse polarity fuses only blow when batteries are connected backwards.

    Label the battery cables. Properly ID them and forget about all that extra work.
    Just replace your converter with the one recommended in it's original spot.

    I have never had to replace reverse polarity fuses.
  • skipnchar's avatar
    skipnchar
    Explorer
    Apr 18, 2014
    As long as the wire run (12 volt side) is about the same distance it could be put most anywhere. The 120 volt power travels easily so distance is not an issue.

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