Forum Discussion

agesilaus's avatar
agesilaus
Explorer III
Dec 18, 2019

Converter kaput? Need to size replacement

OK here is the situation:
1)Progressive Dynamics Converter that worked all summer on one bank of 6V.
2) 2 banks of 6V x 2 golf cart batteries
3) Converter not charging the batteries
4) Pulled fuses and checked with DMM, all good
5) Checked cables, one was very loose. That tightened up.
6) Voltage with shore power disconnected at converter 10.78 V
7) Fan not operating on the converter

I can't see the 120 VAC in cable and might have to pull the converter out to get to it. Only access is behind the fuse panel but AC stuff all works in the RV.

So my diagnoses is that the converter is kaput, you all agree or what and how should I size a replacement to charge the two banks of 6 V batteries? Thanks for any help from people who know more about this than I do. Let me note that only one battery bank is connected right now.

18 Replies

  • Since you have been playing with the batteries, Check the two 30/40 amp reverse polarity fuses on the converter! Check the 120 volt convert breaker.
    check the inline 12 volt fuse mounted with in 6' of the batteries.

    Converter 120 volt in 12 volt out.
  • If I understand correctly, your question was about sizing the new converter. Since you have two sets of 6V's, I would go with something like an 80A to 100A unit. However, that also depends on whether you plan to use a generator to power it and recharge the batts. If you have one of the 2000 watt inverter gens then you're going to want to stick with nothing bigger than a 60A converter.
    If you go with one of those bigger converters, you'll probably need to upgrade the wires to your batts.
  • I have them connected to a smart charger. I'll pull the converter in the morning if it fails the test which I think it will.
  • agesilaus wrote:
    Yeah I was sitting here thinking about it and figured out I had it backwards. I'll do that tomorrow.


    If the two 6s you have connected now are at 10.78 I would not leave them like that another minute. (They might already be toast though.)

    An hydrometer will remove all mystery as to the SOC of the batteries, regardless of what the voltage is saying for whatever reasons.
    -----

    WRT above, whyinheck would you pay over $200 for one of those, when you can get one of these for $136 that has adjustable voltage so you can do anything the battery specs want? 6s want 14.8ish normally and 16ish every so often.

    https://www.boatandrvaccessories.com/products/powermax-pm3-60lk-12-volts-60-amp-power-converter-battery-charger-w-led-light
  • Walked out a bit later 240 dollars lighter with a brand new factory refurb Back to Tekonsha hooked it up. plugged in my original wizard and off to Where I am now (My winter quarters) it's still working,.
    -----------------------------------------------
    How big was that, you can buy a new 60 amp for less than that and a 70 amp for slightly more.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Ok here is my story .One halloween weekend (10/29) came home from church to dead batteries. Testing showed Progressive Dynamics 9180 failed.. Got a Deltran Battery tender delux (2/20/70 amps) and set it in 20 amp mode for 24 hours till it dropped to tender mode.
    Drove to Tekonsha MI (From Davision MI) parked at the TA overnight (used to be the Tekon but guess it got sold to TA Tekon has history). Next day (10/30) Headed back north (by car) to Marshall, walked into a building and the woman said "Can I help you" Pointed to the 9180 under my arm and said "Dead".. She pointed me to a pair of double doors I said thank you and walked through those where a 2nd woman said "Can I help you" and I again pointed and said "Dead" she said "on my desk"

    Walked out a bit later 240 dollars lighter with a brand new factory refurb Back to Tekonsha hooked it up. plugged in my original wizard and off to Where I am now (My winter quarters) it's still working,.
  • Yeah I was sitting here thinking about it and figured out I had it backwards. I'll do that tomorrow.
  • 6) Voltage with shore power disconnected at converter 10.78 V

    ----------

    You want to check the converter's voltage with no battery connected. Needs 120v for the converter.

    That 10.78 would be your battery voltage--yipes!