Battery charger or generator?

The stock wire was supposed to be good for 55 amps, so it will handle up to a 60 amp fine.
You have 2 choices in the change out, (1) buy the model that replaces the lower converter section of the electric panel, or (2) if you have the space near the panel, get the PD 9260, which is the "stand alone" model, and leave the Wfco where it is. Just transfer the 120v ac input power from the Wfco, to the PD, and connect a pos and neg cable to it, that's it.
That's what I did, left my single stage slow charging 7300 right where it was.

There would be no advantage to going w/ a larger converter, unless you plan on a larger batt bank in the future.

sjturbo wrote:
Thanks BFL13! Based on that I could go with a 60 amp without changing anything? Would I gain anything by installing a 60amp?

You can use the same 120v power supply for the 60 as for the 45. You likely will need fatter wire or a shorter path to get all 60 amps on the DC side to the battery. the battery fuse may be too small at 45a and needs to carry 60a.

Everybody knows what's coming next! :)

Find 45 and 60 on here and compare - it is all proportionate to 220AH and any size bank you might have in AH for your times. Only you can decide if the time saved is worth it going from 45 to 60.

sjturbo wrote:
Thanks BFL13! Based on that I could go with a 60 amp without changing anything? Would I gain anything by installing a 60amp?

Anything will be better than using the generators 12V output. The difference will be significant. That said, with your size bank, you could use the Powermax 100 amp no problem (works on 15A circuit). 60 amp PD WILL work just fine though.

Thanks BFL13! Based on that I could go with a 60 amp without changing anything? Would I gain anything by installing a 60amp?

PD 80 amper wants a 20amp (AC) circuit. Lower amp converters only need a 15 amp circuit. You would need to change that circuit to go 80.

PowerMax 75s and up are power-factor corrected so they can run on 15a

Hi,

Only if you have a large battery bank. With a small bank the acceptance rate of the batteries will cause the unit to taper the charge rate.

You must also check to make sure the wire is able to handle the extra current.

I use a stock 40 amp PD with wizard on 875 amp-hours of battery bank--but I do not specifically run the generator to charge up, I only opportunity charge. 256 watts of solar is my main source of replenishment.

sjturbo wrote:
By the way, can I safely use a 60,70 or 80 amp model of the PD9200 line? Any benefit?

By the way, can I safely use a 60,70 or 80 amp model of the PD9200 line? Any benefit?

Thanks, I have kept the converter issue in mind. I have read many posts on the "stock" converter and it's short comings, as well as the installers use of sub par wire size to the battery. I believe that I can change out the converter and leave the breaker panel in tact? I have also read that the PD line is very good. Thanks again for the suggestion!

It seems that everyone is afraid to tell you that your 4 hr problem lies in your "converter" The Wfco 8900 series is a slow charger. I will stop short of calling it a junk converter,....... 99% of them don't work like they were supposed to be designed to work. Anyone that is a serious dry camper, trash cans their Wfco !
Short, and in reality, all you need is a true 3-4 stage converter charger, like the PD 9200 series, even in a 45 amp will probably change your 4 hrs to 2 hrs.
Or you could go solar,......if you don't have to spend most your time praying for sun, or a big tree doesn't get in the way.
I have solar, and very impressed w/ it,......but only while the sun is shining.

Thanks for all the suggestions and explanations. I believe the place to start is a battery monitor so I have a better idea of my daily usage. I have ordered a Victron bmv 700. Likely additional upgrades should include a 300 or 400 watt inverter, additional batteries and maybe just a portable solar setup to top off batteries.