Charge Wizard needed?

ckacosta wrote:
Does anyone know if I need a Charge Wizard for a 'Progressive Dynamics InteliPower 9130' converter?

There are basically 3 "Bands" of converters (4 if you are really picky)

The lowest band: Magnetek 6300 series .. Very bad regulation damages batteries

The next band Parallex 7300 series, Progressive Dynamics 9100 series barefoot (Read on for the meaning of barefoot)

The next band.. Most good 3 stage converters

THe BEST Band, 3-stage PLUS one additional features.. These are the best converters made and include the Progressive Dynamics 9200. and the 9100 with the Charge Wizard

Without the wizard you get basically 13.6 Volts.. now eventually this might charge yoru batteries up, but to hit full we are about 10 days short of forever... Not a bad converter by any means, but 2 bands from BEST

WITH the Wizard.. You get a 3 stage converter with the additonal features of .. Auto-Desulfaction/equalization, after 20 hours of FLOAT it will kick into "Equlize or Desulfate" (Same mode two names) to stir things up a bit in yoru batteries... My batteries lasted NINE years with this converter.

Also a feature for SOME (optional feature on teh 9200) is the manual override of mode.. I have used it I( think 2 times in 11 years so it's not that important.. but it too is there.

I would highly suggest you invest in the dongle.

Footnote:

If you ever upgrage yoru batteries, and go to a larger 9100 series.. Same wizard works on all of them.

Get the wizard already. Can only help.

Not sure about your model converter, but if it has provisions to add the Wizard, it is definitely worth adding it. Some of the newer models have it built in, I just don't remember the model numbers. I added the Wizard right after I bought the rig and it is plugged on 24/7 unless moving and I never had battery problems or needed to add water. Ok I just looked up the PD9130 and it does not have the built in Wizard, but does have the socket to plug in a Wizard. I highly recommend getting one.

RoyB wrote:
It appears the PD9130 Converter/charger unit only produces a single 13.6VDC Output with the capacity of 30AMPS..

Nope, that is the rated open circuit voltage. With the Charge Wizard (not built in on the 9100 series), it produces 14.4V, 13.6V, 13.2V and an equalization cycle V of 14.4V.

It appears the PD9130 Converter/charger unit only produces a single 13.6VDC Output with the capacity of 30AMPS unless you have the CHARGE WIZARD (Thanks WESTEND for pointing this out)...

Specifications
Input: 105-130 VAC, 500 Watts
Output: 13.6 VDC, 30 Amps

My experience with just using the 13.6VDC will tend to boil out battery fluids if left ON for a long period of time...

It is perfectly ok to use a single mode charger but one must keep a good eye on the battery fluids. Allowing the boiling out of fluids will damage your battery and require replacement...

PD9130V

Google Image

I am not familar with the PD9130 unit but if it has a CHARGE WIZARD that allows it to do the multi-smart mode charging modes that would be a great way to maintain your battery.

I read this statement in one of the brochures for the PD9130...

"The Charge Wizard is a microprocessor-controlled system that constantly monitors the battery voltage and use to ensure a rapid; yet, safe, recharge. The Charge Wizard can select one of three charging voltages and one of four operating modes depending on the condition and use of the battery."

What you want is to have 14.4VDC, 13.6VDC, 13.2VDC operating modes.

I have the PD9260C Converter/charger unit that supports theses smart mode voltages. It almost takes care of my multiple batteries but I still do battery checks at least once a week or when using it...

I would also say if you are thinking about increasing your battery bank with additional batteries and you want to be able to go from 50% charge state to the 90% charge state in a quick three hour charging period you will want to have enough capacity to provide each battery in your bank with 17-20AMP DC Current. I replaced my 30AMP single mode charger with the PD9260C 60AMP Smart mode charger to do this for me in 2009.

Roy Ken

FWIW, I have a Charge Wizard on my PD converter for about six years.
When in storage, the RV is plugged in 24/7.

I've never had any battery problems my current house batteries are 9 years old.