Ok there are advantages and disadvantages to both methods.. First my setup
Factory installed a PRogressive Dynamics 9180 WITH charge wizard. this is one of the BEST stand alone units made. I really like the program in the wiz. a 9200 would be roughly equal. add the optional dongle and it is equal. Also IOTA with IQ4 I'm told... NOTE the 80 = 80 aps they make smaller ones.
I added originally a Xantrex Pro-sine 2.0 Now a Freedom 2000 True sine wave inverter. So Now you know my qualifications.
THe Freedom 2000 is like 750 on sale should it fry (I hope to get the prosine fixed I like it better) and both it and the prosine are programmable as to battery charge pram's they are very good units for charging MOST true sine inverter/converter devices are programmable and very good.
I use the PD 9180+wizard because I like the wizard's program but it is pre-set for ONE type of battery (you can now get a Wiz for two types but .. the 2nd type is EXPENSIVE)
Replacing the Progressive Dynamics when it failed was 238 dollars and less than 20 minutes labor not counting the 17 mile drive from teh overnight truck stop to the factory (Ok so I know where they make 'em)
Replacing the Prosine was .. Well I already cited teh price and it too a couple hours of language I do not wish to type.
The install is easier if you only have one. but there are advantages to having two.
My Progressive Dynamics intellapower 9180 is a plug in model. has a cord and plug (20 amp) from the factory.. I spend an extended stay where I only had 20 anp power so I pulled the plug and adapted my 12ga extenstion cord and plugged in JUST the converter.> TV and Microwave ran off the Inverter (prosine back then) if I need A/C it was generator time. heat was the furnace. This way for like 2-3 months... NO problems.
Can't do that with a single combined unit.
I've also been on a site where the power was "Strange" I tripped the breaker that feeds 120 to the prosine manually.. Forcing it into "INVERTER" mode and the electronics were proteccted.
