Hi:Just back from 2+ weeks of 'dry' camping, a lot easier with a generator but still hardly optimal 12 volt living. I could charge my batteries significantly faster with my 25 AMP intelligent car battery charger than with the 55 AMP dumb one built into the trailer (55 AMPs but strictly 13.6 volts)! Especially as the generator (2kw) is on the noisy side clearly I need a better built in charger.I see several people recommending the PD9100 Series and that would be a decent improvement but I am wondering if there is something better out there. These units are a long way behind the portable battery chargers which provide fully adjustable voltages to 14.8 as well as current forcing.Any recommends for a built in unit with more intelligent charging - or should I just buy one of say the Black and Decker or Schumacher ones aimed at the car market and play with cables more than I want to.As a minor note I figure there must be a typo on the PD webpage, surely storage temperature is wrong (even if there is only a "-" missing in-front it still seems pretty restricted for built in use in a trailer) PD9100 Specs

There are better units than converters but they cost a LOT more. Magnum, Victron, Mastervolt to name a few. I would get a Black and Decker VEC1093DBD 40A portable charger unless you're willing to spend $1000+ to get into the other units I mentioned.

Hi,I'd go solar myself. One time cost for almost permanent peace and quiet.

You didn't mention what you have for batteries but if you are running with 2 6's I would suggest the The Iota 55ampDLS with IQ4. if you are running 4 batts then get the 75amp DLS with IQ4.It will charge your batts fast.

Horton, A lot depends on how much battery you are carrying. There is a limit to how fast Lead/Acid (any LA) can be charged. Any of the new 3/4 stage converter/charges will do better than the old 55 does. Being smart makes a big difference. Look for it and read the manufacturer's specifications. I know PD, Iota and (CRS strikes) are good. As I am no longer in the business, I don't watch so much anymore.The Progressive Dynamics line is real good, but get a PD9200 with the pendant. If you are running a pair of golfcart batteries in series, then 55 amps is all you can actually use. The Peukert exponent works both ways. PD has a nice write up on charging on their website.Matt

You didn't mention what converter you have'Could it be a PD 91-9200 ? Some MFGs put these in their RV w/o the wizard (9100s) and w/o the pendant (9200s)W/o the pendant or the wizard, both these series converters are single stage 13.6 fixed voltage. Add the wizard/pendant, and you will be hard pressed to out do them w/ any automotive charger.Also, if you changing out converters, limit tour choice to 45 amp if you ever think about using a small 1,000 watt generator.

Battery Charger Recomendations | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

Wet_Coast
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
Seeing how the fellow is a fellow Canuk, I will recommend the unit I have from Canadian Tire. The MotoMaster Nautilus Battery Charger.
11-1525-0

I have used one in my camper, now the 5th wheel with good success. $50 when they go on sale. I have it hung on 4 6 V 120va batts.
The thing is relatively intelligent and has indicators and a display to help understand what's going on.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
Several Thousand Dollars?

"Where's My Freakin' Chocolate Mint!"
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 09, 2013
For several thousand dollars you can shade the entire RV roof :B
mena661
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
horton333 wrote:
Thanks for the links mena661, more info for me to chew on.

First pass is the Magnums only seem to be bundled with inverters and they are stepped voltage units too (they add one more mode to the PDs). The Mastervolt is also a three stage unit, and only 14.25 volts bulk at that)

Maybe there is something I am missing as to why no-one is doing this in RVs while it is common for the car chargers??
14.25 is absorption voltage, the Mastervolt's charge at 14.4V for bulk. But those are the default settings. The Mastervolt chargers can be adjusted up to 15.5V for bulk, absorption and float independently.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
I was faced with a choice. Park in the sun, endure 38C interior temperatures, and have a ball with solar on the roof, or park in the shade, be more comfortable with a lower temperature but infinitely more uncomfortable knowing three thousand dollars was leaning on a shovel.

My two centavos say, if parking in the sun is going to cause you grief solar panels may not be as good an option as what the hype makes them. Nothing is as sad as being forced to run a generator while several thousand dollars sits on the roof, laughing. Warm temperatures or cloudy skies can take the bloom off the solar rose in a hurry.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 09, 2013
You would do great with PD, IOTA or Powermax. And I agree with getting 100 watts to 250+ watts of solar.

www.bestconverter.com
SteveAE
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
horton333,

A better charger will help. For maximum effect, you will want your new charger located as close to the batteries as possible and connected with large diameter wire.

Even with a better charger, it will still take time to completely charge the batteries. So you may want to get a quieter generator to go with it. Home Depot has the quiet 2000 watt Ryobi generators for $550.

Lowering your usage by switching to LED lights (if you haven't already done so) and making sure your batteries are in good shape will also help reduce the need to recharge so frequently. A battery monitor (i.e.; Trimetric, etc.) will help you know when to recharge before damaging the batteries.

Lastly, you may want to consider having the option to go solar at some time. Even if you don't wish to do so right now, I suggest leaving room for a solar controller next to your new charger.

I know, I just encouraged you spend lots of $$$$$$. But if you take it in steps, it isn't so bad.

Steve
horton333
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
RJsfishin - I forget the existing charger's model number now but it was only speced as a single voltage output unit in the datasheet that came with the trailer (not a PD unit).
horton333
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
Thanks for the links mena661, more info for me to chew on.

First pass is the Magnums only seem to be bundled with inverters and they are stepped voltage units too (they add one more mode to the PDs). The Mastervolt is also a three stage unit, and only 14.25 volts bulk at that)

Maybe there is something I am missing as to why no-one is doing this in RVs while it is common for the car chargers??
RJsfishin
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
You didn't mention what converter you have'
Could it be a PD 91-9200 ? Some MFGs put these in their RV w/o the wizard (9100s) and w/o the pendant (9200s)

W/o the pendant or the wizard, both these series converters are single stage 13.6 fixed voltage. Add the wizard/pendant, and you will be hard pressed to out do them w/ any automotive charger.

Also, if you changing out converters, limit tour choice to 45 amp if you ever think about using a small 1,000 watt generator.