My current converter:I'm going to upgrade with the Inteli-Power 9200 Converter/Charger, but not sure which I should get. The current converter is a 50amp. Does that mean it's rated for up to 50 amps of 12volt dc? Or is it the rated battery charging cap?I know I'm supposed to replace with same size amps, but they only make 45/60/80 in the IP brand. The IP 45 amp I can get for $43 less than the 60, so I'd rather go with the 45 amp, but don't want to cause myself problems later by going too low.

A 45' diesel pusher usually has a much higher "hotel load" of 12 accessories than a smaller RV. What do you have?Second consideration: How long if ever do you dry camp without a shore power AC?If you boondock a lot are you planning to use the onboard RV generator or a portable? What wattage?Boondockers dry campers usually prefer a larger battery bank. This also affects an intelligent decision.Lastly are you ever likely to change your mind and start more boondocking like after you retire?The answers will greatly reduce the chances of making an expensive "wrong choice":)

I went from a Parallax 7455T to the Progressive 9260 with pendant with absolutely no problems.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:A 45' diesel pusher usually has a much higher "hotel load" of 12 accessories than a smaller RV. What do you have?Second consideration: How long if ever do you dry camp without a shore power AC?If you boondock a lot are you planning to use the onboard RV generator or a portable? What wattage?Boondockers dry campers usually prefer a larger battery bank. This also affects an intelligent decision.Lastly are you ever likely to change your mind and start more boondocking like after you retire?The answers will greatly reduce the chances of making an expensive "wrong choice":)I'm in a 1987 Class A gasser. We are planning on some boondocking, but have not thought about upgrading the battery bank as of yet ( we have 2 NAPA industrial 12 volt batteries right now, plus the engine battery ). There is a Onan 6700 watt/50 amp genset on board, so wont use batteries too heavily. We are already retired, but this is our first MH.

Get the 9260 and you'll be fine (and it's well worth the extra money). The wiring to the battery, if installed per the UT's manual, will handle the load just fine.

ScottG wrote:Get the 9260 and you'll be fine (and it's well worth the extra money). The wiring to the battery, if installed per the manual, will handle the load just fine.It's not about if it's well worth the extra money, it is do I need the extra 15amps? All the ceiling lights and swivel airplane style reading lights have been upgraded to LED's. In doing so, I have cut down on the 12 volt amperage requirements compared to the original set up. The $43 could be spent on something else, if I don't need the 60 amp.

45 or 60 amp converter ( 50amp currently )? | Good Sam Community

JimInMich
Explorer
Nov 21, 2016
wa8yxm wrote:
I would go with the 60 amp myself. and the 60 amp I'd go for is a Progressive Dynamics with Wizard model. such as the 9260.

That's what I bought ( look at the post above yours :) ).
BFL13
Explorer II
Nov 21, 2016
I do agree the PD with its Charge Wizard is a good compromise for its features to be the RV's converter for many RVers.

But if you want your rated amps, you have to notice what people are saying. 55-57a or 53a from a 60 amper???? Another member gets 66 with his PD 70 amper. Pathetic! :(

In the past when this came up, the usual suggestion (by smk, eg) was that if you insist on buying a PD, then get the next size up so you will get the amps you are actually looking for.

So in this case getting the 60 instead of the 45 is the correct choice so you will hope to get 55.
Canadian_Rainbi
Explorer
Nov 21, 2016
I think you made the right choice in going a little bigger. Also, if in the future you decide to add a couple of hundred watts of solar and maybe another battery or two the larger capacity charger will get the batteries up faster to where the solar will be able to finish the charging. BLF13 and Pianotuna are both regular posters on here and both have a lot of first hand experience with solar and battery charging.

Though I have no first hand experience with bestconverter.com I have heard nothing but very good things about this company.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Nov 21, 2016
I would go with the 60 amp myself. and the 60 amp I'd go for is a Progressive Dynamics with Wizard model. such as the 9260.
JimInMich
Explorer
Nov 21, 2016
OK guys, thanx much for your help. I decided to spend the little extra and bought the Progressive Dynamics 9260C 60 Amp. Wife and I have talked about boondocking, so I could see us maybe adding an extra battery if needed. I might as well be prepared instead of buying twice.
Best shipped price I found was on bestconverter.com ( $191.85 ). There were some cheaper on ebay, ect. but PD's web site talks about the fakes being sold on the net that they wouldn't honor warranty on, and bestconverter web site promises theirs are covered by PD. So I will be checking the serial number with PD when I receive it.
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 21, 2016
If you need a fast charge into 4+ batteries get the 60 or even the 80.
If you are mostly plugged in or just 2 batteries the 45 is fine.
RoyB
Explorer II
Nov 21, 2016
JimInMich wrote:
So the higher amps are for charging the battery bank faster and not the amps used for the 12 volt stuff in the MH.....that helps with the decision.

Jim - that was my deciding factor... In my case when I hit my three 12VDC batteries with 14.4VDC charging mode they like to demand around 53AMPS DC charging current for the first 15 minutes or so... This relates to around 17DC AMPS for each of my three 12VDC batteries. Progressive Dynamics says their charging tests usually have the batteries demanding between 17 and 20 DC AMPS per battery in their banks...

This will then complete my battery bank charge in a round three hours generator run time using my PD9260C converter/charger unit.

After the initial higher DC AMPS demand is done then my batteries start demanding less DC current as the batteries start taking on charge. At the end of the three hour charging time my batteries are demanding around 5-6AMPS DC...

If I am charging four 12VDC batteries in my battery bank they still charge-up just fine using my 60AMP capacity charger but will take alittle longer to complete the charge.

Normally in my daily runs off my batteries the most DC current I usually see is 23 to 25 AMPS DC current demand off my battery bank running my various appliances and systems...

All of the places we usually camp at all seem to have generator run time restrictions in place so I want to charge my 12VDC battery bank as fast as I can.

This is what I do with my OFF-ROAD POPUP camper at any rate...

Roy Ken
ScottG
Nomad
Nov 20, 2016
At 12.3~12.4V with twin 12V and now the twin 6V's the PDI9260 jumps to 55~57 amps and stays there for a decent amount of time.
It's well worth the few extra bucks imho for the quicker charge time. It also allows for more available charging power if you are running other 12V items at the same time.
So the question isn't really, will the bigger converter charge faster - it will. You just have to decide if it is worth it.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Nov 20, 2016
Hi,

I maintained 875 amp-hours of battery bank with a 40 amp PD converter. Unless you boondock LOTS the extra 15 amps won't give much benefit on a twin twelve volt system. About 85% state of charge acceptance rate is 12.5 amps per 100 amp-hours of storage.

If you are serious about boondocking look at a decent solar system.
JimInMich
Explorer
Nov 20, 2016
wolfe10 wrote:
The decision maker is "how much time do I run the generator to recharge the battery bank (i.e. dry camping). That is the only time your rig will benefit from a higher-amp charger.

So the higher amps are for charging the battery bank faster and not the amps used for the 12 volt stuff in the MH.....that helps with the decision.