I bought a Cougar 5th wheel a year ago February and this last weekend the 50 amp converter died but I didn't realize it until Sunday evening. Last nite I bought a Schumacher 8 amp battery charger to recharge the batteries as they were down to 11.6 volts and after installing this charger it brought it up immediately to12.4 volts. This morning the batteries were at 13.2 volts. This $30 charger is a smart charger which goes to a maintenance setting when the batteries are fully charged. My question... why do I need an expensive 50 amp converter if this battery charger can do the same thing? The batteries run the slides, water pump, fridge and furnace controls, everything when boon docking just fine so all I need is to keep the batteries charged? Am I missing something?

It's my understanding that a converter charges battery bu also converts 110 v to 12 volt so you can use your shore power for 12 volt appliances. If no converter you will be running off battery while on shore power.

In a year old RV why wouldn't you want everything working properly and replace or repair as necessary?

I think what you are asking, will work for you, if always on battery power only. Myself, for a couple hundred bucks, it would be worth it to install new converter, just to have it for whenever, or even resale. If you wanted to use a generator to run your AC while boondocking, you would need it.Jerry

DSteiner51 wrote:I bought a Cougar 5th wheel a year ago February and this last weekend the 50 amp converter died but I didn't realize it until Sunday evening. Last nite I bought a Schumacher 8 amp battery charger to recharge the batteries as they were down to 11.6 volts and after installing this charger it brought it up immediately to12.4 volts. This morning the batteries were at 13.2 volts. This $30 charger is a smart charger which goes to a maintenance setting when the batteries are fully charged. My question... why do I need an expensive 50 amp converter if this battery charger can do the same thing? The batteries run the slides, water pump, fridge and furnace controls, everything when boon docking just fine so all I need is to keep the batteries charged? Am I missing something?I can only a$$-u-me that your FW is out of warranty or you'd be taking it to the dealer to have it replaced. That being said, converters aren't that expensive and you =need= one if you're going to use shore power as that's what takes 110v to 12v.Lyle

There are things that work, and there are things that work correctly and safely. A home garage style charger is not going to give you a very clean charge for long term use and your batteries will suffer in the end. It is also not designed to be used in any kind of an enclosed compartment and could very well overheat and possibly catch fire. As cheap as RV MFG's are if they could get away with using a 30.00 walmart charger they would Chris

Question? | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

RollandB
Explorer
May 16, 2017
A good opportunity to upgrade your converter to a Progressive Dynamics multi-stage unit and do your batteries a big favor.
2oldman
Explorer II
May 16, 2017
DSteiner51 wrote:
. why do I need an expensive 50 amp converter if this battery charger can do the same thing?
Answer: It can, but at a mere 8 amps it just takes forever. And if you boondock you'll be running your generator all the time.

What you're missing is the fact not all chargers are the same.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
May 16, 2017
Short term, and for an immediate solution, yes ... it will work. Hope you look at the long term picture though.
rhagfo
Explorer III
May 16, 2017
Just replace with a better slightly larger Progressive Dynamics unit.
csamayfield55x
Explorer
May 16, 2017
There are things that work, and there are things that work correctly and safely. A home garage style charger is not going to give you a very clean charge for long term use and your batteries will suffer in the end. It is also not designed to be used in any kind of an enclosed compartment and could very well overheat and possibly catch fire.

As cheap as RV MFG's are if they could get away with using a 30.00 walmart charger they would

Chris
laknox
Nomad
May 16, 2017
DSteiner51 wrote:
I bought a Cougar 5th wheel a year ago February and this last weekend the 50 amp converter died but I didn't realize it until Sunday evening. Last nite I bought a Schumacher 8 amp battery charger to recharge the batteries as they were down to 11.6 volts and after installing this charger it brought it up immediately to12.4 volts. This morning the batteries were at 13.2 volts. This $30 charger is a smart charger which goes to a maintenance setting when the batteries are fully charged.

My question... why do I need an expensive 50 amp converter if this battery charger can do the same thing? The batteries run the slides, water pump, fridge and furnace controls, everything when boon docking just fine so all I need is to keep the batteries charged? Am I missing something?

I can only a$$-u-me that your FW is out of warranty or you'd be taking it to the dealer to have it replaced. That being said, converters aren't that expensive and you =need= one if you're going to use shore power as that's what takes 110v to 12v.

Lyle
MFL
Nomad II
May 16, 2017
I think what you are asking, will work for you, if always on battery power only. Myself, for a couple hundred bucks, it would be worth it to install new converter, just to have it for whenever, or even resale. If you wanted to use a generator to run your AC while boondocking, you would need it.

Jerry
Lwiddis
Explorer II
May 16, 2017
In a year old RV why wouldn't you want everything working properly and replace or repair as necessary?
Jhurk
Explorer
May 16, 2017
It's my understanding that a converter charges battery bu also converts 110 v to 12 volt so you can use your shore power for 12 volt appliances. If no converter you will be running off battery while on shore power.

Forum Discussion

Question?

19 Replies

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Newbie power question

Another solar question.

Generator question

Administrative Questions

Carbon ceramic pads question