Help with choosing proper converter amperage
I'm finally replacing my failing converter and am looking at the INTELI-POWER 9200 SERIES CONVERTER/CHARGER - 60 AMPS. My question is, my trailer currently has the WFCO 55 amp (yeah, yeah WFCO.....I ...
Forum Discussion
Roy, you perfectly described how your "60 amp" PD brand charger actually works.
Your battery bank although old now, should still be at least 220AH? So have another look at what "should" be happening with your "60amper" and what your charging time should be on the ugly graph below. You are taking at least an extra hour of gen time to do what a proper 60 amp charger does in two hours.
As you also can see, that size bank can easily handle an 80 amp charger, no harm done at all. But there is little point in going higher as it does not reduce charging times much.
The curve goes more vertical on the left and you have diminishing returns going higher in amps. There is an "optimum" charging rate where you have to consider the cost of the higher amp charger, and as you note--especially the cost of a generator big enough to run it.
The ugly graph is supposed to help with making those choices.
Your battery bank although old now, should still be at least 220AH? So have another look at what "should" be happening with your "60amper" and what your charging time should be on the ugly graph below. You are taking at least an extra hour of gen time to do what a proper 60 amp charger does in two hours.
As you also can see, that size bank can easily handle an 80 amp charger, no harm done at all. But there is little point in going higher as it does not reduce charging times much.
The curve goes more vertical on the left and you have diminishing returns going higher in amps. There is an "optimum" charging rate where you have to consider the cost of the higher amp charger, and as you note--especially the cost of a generator big enough to run it.
The ugly graph is supposed to help with making those choices.
