Hey everyone. I am looking to add big battery capacity to my RV and the question of a charger upgrade has me a bit "perplexed". If you installed something like a Progressive Dynamics 9200, did you buy a unit that slides in and replaces your existing charger module or did you get the one that plugs directly into 120V with a traditional cord? I have been looking around and it seems PD doesn't make the 100A units in the form factor that slides into the OEM location. If you installed a 100A 9200, did you just ditch the built in unit from the bottom of your power center, replace with the 9200 and run a new cord to a 120 outlet? Or do you re-use the 120V feed to the OEM unit by putting a female socket on the cables? For the curious amongst you, I plan to run a new set of 4 gauge wires directly to the new 6V batteries (in series for 12V) as well.Jose

Slides into what? where? What "OEM location?" What rig do you have?

I connected onto the ac circuit that fed the old converter, and brought it to a new wall receptical near the new 9200 stand alone converterBut every question you ask is your choice. But if they don't make a 100 amp to go in the power center, then you don't have a choice there.The only thing for sure is that you feed ac volts to the new stand alone, and heavy enuff cables to the batteries

Jose,I believe the 9200 PD charger won't fit your OEM distribution center. A good ploy is to leave the existing one in place and locate a new charger as close to the batteries as possible. You can fish the 120V wire needed to power the new charger, some choosing to place either/or a receptacle and switch in the mix. Some folks have used both their chargers at the same time and that would be efficient if using a generator if both chargers get along with each other and the battery SOC.

Big battery? Like 4+ of those GC2?Otherwise I think 9280 is as big as it gets. 55 or 60 amps is fine with just two batteries.

100a charger needs a big generator-more than a Honda 2000. Also, except for the PowerMax 100a units the others are not power-factor corrected, so they need a bigger 120v circuit--20a CB and 12 wire. The OEM will have a 15a CB and 14 wire.You can't just run an extension 120v to your new converter location if the converter is not PF corrected and it is over 60amps (DC) (Needs the 12 wire.)I have a 100a PowerMax deck mounted up by the batteries (but it is PF corrected so only a 15a CB needed) and it takes my Honda 3000 to run it. Procedure is to fire up the Honda first with Eco off, plug in the 100 amper, wait a minute, then turn Eco on. Otherwise, the cold Honda will conk out as soon as the 100 amper is turned on.

Charger Upgrade Question | Good Sam Community

branson4020
Explorer
Feb 26, 2015
Slides into what? where? What "OEM location?" What rig do you have?
RJsfishin
Explorer
Feb 26, 2015
I connected onto the ac circuit that fed the old converter, and brought it to a new wall receptical near the new 9200 stand alone converter

But every question you ask is your choice. But if they don't make a 100 amp to go in the power center, then you don't have a choice there.

The only thing for sure is that you feed ac volts to the new stand alone, and heavy enuff cables to the batteries
westend
Explorer
Feb 26, 2015
Jose,
I believe the 9200 PD charger won't fit your OEM distribution center. A good ploy is to leave the existing one in place and locate a new charger as close to the batteries as possible. You can fish the 120V wire needed to power the new charger, some choosing to place either/or a receptacle and switch in the mix. Some folks have used both their chargers at the same time and that would be efficient if using a generator if both chargers get along with each other and the battery SOC.
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 26, 2015
Big battery? Like 4+ of those GC2?
Otherwise I think 9280 is as big as it gets. 55 or 60 amps is fine with just two batteries.
BFL13
Explorer II
Feb 26, 2015
100a charger needs a big generator-more than a Honda 2000. Also, except for the PowerMax 100a units the others are not power-factor corrected, so they need a bigger 120v circuit--20a CB and 12 wire. The OEM will have a 15a CB and 14 wire.

You can't just run an extension 120v to your new converter location if the converter is not PF corrected and it is over 60amps (DC) (Needs the 12 wire.)

I have a 100a PowerMax deck mounted up by the batteries (but it is PF corrected so only a 15a CB needed) and it takes my Honda 3000 to run it. Procedure is to fire up the Honda first with Eco off, plug in the 100 amper, wait a minute, then turn Eco on. Otherwise, the cold Honda will conk out as soon as the 100 amper is turned on.
GordonThree
Explorer
Feb 26, 2015
Here's what I did for an upgrade. I left the 30 amp OEM converter (wfco) in its little space under the power distribution center, and just disconnected it on the 12v and 120v sides.

ran two pieces of 3/4" conduit under the rv to the other side, inside a dinette bench.

installed four group 31 AGM batteries and a magnasine 2812 inverter + charger. the charger is 125 amps, 4 stage, power factor corrected and temperature compensated. it automatically scales back demand to make it compatible with a small generator or wimpy 15 amp outlet.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Feb 26, 2015
westend wrote:
Jose,
I believe the 9200 PD charger won't fit your OEM distribution center. A good ploy is to leave the existing one in place and locate a new charger as close to the batteries as possible. You can fish the 120V wire needed to power the new charger, some choosing to place either/or a receptacle and switch in the mix. Some folks have used both their chargers at the same time and that would be efficient if using a generator if both chargers get along with each other and the battery SOC.

That's what I would do- you would probably need to upgrade the cabling anyway, so mounting separate, close to batteries makes sense.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Feb 26, 2015
A "Smart Charger" that can't walk and chew gum is a waste of time, effort, and money. Before you settle on a model I advise checking here and confirming the unit can actually recharge batteries in a reasonable amount of time. BFL13 has quite a bit of experience with different chargers. A thousand amp charger that shuts down at 90% state of charge is worthless.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2015
DaHose wrote:
Hey everyone. I am looking to add big battery capacity to my RV and the question of a charger upgrade has me a bit "perplexed". If you installed something like a Progressive Dynamics 9200, did you buy a unit that slides in and replaces your existing charger module or did you get the one that plugs directly into 120V with a traditional cord?

Specifically as ask, the 9200 only comes in the "Stand Alone" type, either hard wired (means with no power cord supply your own feed) or plug in (With power cord from factory.

However,, if you wish to drop it in your power center in place of whatever is there now,, try the 4600

Same charger, different case.

And by the way,, I have been looking for a better one for nearly a decade now and have yet to find one.. They just don't come better.

Since they are the same (electronically) either one is fantastic
DaHose
Explorer
Feb 27, 2015
Hmmmmmmm ...... sounds like running some fresh 4/3 romex from the 30 amp plug to the new charger and then some 4GA wire to the batteries is what needs to happen.

My genny is a 4K Onan, so load shouldn't be an issue. Although, running the charger and the A/C at full bore might be an issue or trip breakers. Maybe a 60 amp

Jose