I have a Magnetek 7400 series (7445) converter. It seems to be working fine, but I am considering upgrading my batteries. possibly going with Trojan AGM batteries instead of Walmart marine 12 volt batteries.Do I need to change my converter if going with the AGMs?Do I need to change my converter regardless of AGM or not?The specs on my Magnetek 7445 are:DC Output: 14.00 volts for 13 hours with "T Option", then drops to 13.5 volts charging.(T-Option is the timer where after being plugged in, it charges for 13 hours at 14 volts, then drops to 13.5 volts)45 Amps

AGMs can be charged as high as 14.6 V so no need to change other than 45 amps will take a while to charge if you have more than two batteries.

My charger is not the same as your but it is programmable for either wet-cell or AGM. That tells me there must be a difference. See if it is possible to change the type setting. OBTW if I had to buy a new charger/inverter+batteries.I would get one that would do lithium batteries. AGM is no longer the best technology out there.

I just recently did some research on my inverter/converter and one of the things I found is that there is a setting to set it for wet cell, AGM, or a third type which I forget right now. Mine (like I'm sure yours does too) charges both the chassis and the house batteries. But there was no way to change the setting independently for the two battery banks. What that tells me is if I were to change to AGM batteries for the house, I'd also have to change the Chassis batteries to AGM.

msmith1199 wrote:I just recently did some research on my inverter/converter and one of the things I found is that there is a setting to set it for wet cell, AGM, or a third type which I forget right now. Mine (like I'm sure yours does too) charges both the chassis and the house batteries. But there was no way to change the setting independently for the two battery banks. What that tells me is if I were to change to AGM batteries for the house, I'd also have to change the Chassis batteries to AGM.I understand what you are saying. I don't think my converter charges my chassis battery. It only charges the 2 12-volt batteries. When the engine is running, I have verified that the engine running does charge the chassis battery and the 2 12-volt batteries. When the generator is running, I think only the 2 12-volt batteries are being charged, not the chassis battery. In summary mine currently works as follows:Engine Running: Chassis-YES Coach batteries: YESOnshore Power: Chassis-NO Coach batteries: YESGenerator power: Chassis-NO Coach batteries: YES

Easy to add a Trik-L-Start combiner to maintain the chassis battery when the house is being charged.And yes replace that 7445 with something like PD4645. May want to go as big as 80 amps rated but you would need to review the wire size on the charging loop.

Do I need to change out my converter? | Good Sam Community

toolttime
Explorer
May 10, 2017
I put in 4 Trojan 6 volt and I Have a magnum 2810. Me personally I recommend setting for battery type to be "flooded battery" no problem ever with mine .
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 26, 2017
kmb1966 wrote:
crasster wrote:
You can also upgrade to 6V golf cart batteries and wire them in series for 12v, then you shouldn't need to change the converter.

If the 6volt golf cart batteries physically fit, is it as simple as changing the battery cables from parallel to series and then it's done?
Yes
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 26, 2017
crasster wrote:
You can also upgrade to 6V golf cart batteries and wire them in series for 12v, then you shouldn't need to change the converter.
Still need a converter upgrade if fast recharging on generator is expected.
Golf car batteries really prefer 14.6 to 14.8 volts charging so the OEM converter is going to be weak.
kmb1966
Explorer
Apr 26, 2017
crasster wrote:
You can also upgrade to 6V golf cart batteries and wire them in series for 12v, then you shouldn't need to change the converter.

If the 6volt golf cart batteries physically fit, is it as simple as changing the battery cables from parallel to series and then it's done?
crasster
Explorer II
Apr 26, 2017
I forgot to add, the golf cart batteries generally have way more amp hours and can take more abuse than those deep cycles.
crasster
Explorer II
Apr 26, 2017
You can also upgrade to 6V golf cart batteries and wire them in series for 12v, then you shouldn't need to change the converter.
Steve_83406
Explorer
Apr 26, 2017
One of the reasons I changed out my old Magnetek converter was the amount of AC ripple on top of the DC current. When I was troubleshooting my fridge, the Dometic manual said their fridge's don't like AC ripple. And, I have read too many stories of people having their house batteries boiled out by Magneteks. So, I replaced the Magnetek with a Progressive Dynamics PD9245C and have been pleased with its performance.
kmb1966
Explorer
Apr 26, 2017
wa8yxm wrote:
I can find no info on the Magnetek 7400.. ONly the 6300.

However.. I would seriously consider an upgrade.. I like the Progressive Dyanmics 9200 or 4600 series

You are correct. The manual says Magnetek 7400 series that includes the specific models 7445 and 7455. 45 and 55 amp units.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Apr 25, 2017
I can find no info on the Magnetek 7400.. ONly the 6300.

However.. I would seriously consider an upgrade.. I like the Progressive Dyanmics 9200 or 4600 series
msmith1199
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2017
kmb1966 wrote:
msmith1199 wrote:
I just recently did some research on my inverter/converter and one of the things I found is that there is a setting to set it for wet cell, AGM, or a third type which I forget right now. Mine (like I'm sure yours does too) charges both the chassis and the house batteries. But there was no way to change the setting independently for the two battery banks. What that tells me is if I were to change to AGM batteries for the house, I'd also have to change the Chassis batteries to AGM.

I understand what you are saying. I don't think my converter charges my chassis battery. It only charges the 2 12-volt batteries. When the engine is running, I have verified that the engine running does charge the chassis battery and the 2 12-volt batteries. When the generator is running, I think only the 2 12-volt batteries are being charged, not the chassis battery. In summary mine currently works as follows:
Engine Running: Chassis-YES Coach batteries: YES
Onshore Power: Chassis-NO Coach batteries: YES
Generator power: Chassis-NO Coach batteries: YES

You are probably correct. I just did a google search on the one you have and it looks to be a much different unit than the one I have. I think mine has a lot more features and does charge both battery banks.

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