New 14.8V Progressive Dynanics Converters

A PM from RoyB

"Just heard back from my other friend on here who just ordered the PD9260C today from Best Converter before he found out from me about the 14.8 Boost Mode change. He cancelled the order and contacted Progressive Dynamics on how to get the 14.8 model.

Progressive Dynamics told him they still only make the 14.4V Boost mode model but BEST CONVERTER has been authorized to sell an updated version with the 14.8VDC mod to it...

So that answers why we didn't get a modle change...

So my friend went back to BEST CONVERTERs awhile ago and they will sell him the 14.8 Model under the part number PD9260C-14.8 for a bigger price... $200 something...

makes alittle more sense now about the same part number from Progressive Dynamics...

Roy"

BillyW wrote:
This has been around for a while I think. I don't see it on the PD website though. Or if it's there, it's not very easy to tell. I contacted Randy about it last year, and he tried to steer me toward the standard 14.4v model. I think there was some discussion that these are one offs that are modified by Best Converter?

I'm sure you can adjust any of these to anywhere you want. I still have an old PC40 (Power Source)model. Has a shorting link on the front-13.2 link open, 14.0 link shorted. Adjusted an internal pot so i have 14.4 shorted and 13.6 open. I just use it around the shop for a battery charger.

bigfootford wrote:
Drew is correct...

Battery voltage needs to be below 12.4 or so for the PD to drop into boost mode.

Any standard converter, Iota, Parallax, Boondocker, Wfco, PD will be alive and watch the battery voltage even if shore power is not on. They all will switch to Boost when the threshold of low voltage is met.

To get most of these converters to get into boost mode you need to remove the battery and shore power and wait until the capacitors bleed off or turn on a light....
PD is one of the few that you can push a button and get the converter into any mode you want. WFCO copied this idea with their most recent panel mounted 89 and 87 series converters from what I have read.

Jim

You know... now that you mention it... that's all actually coming back to me now. I must have misinterpreted a recent conversation with you. Glad you chimed in to correct the record.

OK, well now it appears there's even less to be concerned about with these 14.8 units. Looks like I need to update a few posts!

KendallP wrote:

DrewE wrote:
Just a note: PD converters don't always start in boost mode. It depends on the battery voltage (I think over a period of time)...

Hmm. Good to know. Bigfootford says his always has for something like a decade now. And his is oversized for the bank.

Now how would a converter with no power to it know the battery voltage over a period of time? Or do you mean more like a few seconds once you put power to it?

Drew is correct...

Battery voltage needs to be below 12.4 or so for the PD to drop into boost mode.

Any standard converter, Iota, Parallax, Boondocker, Wfco, PD will be alive and watch the battery voltage even if shore power is not on. They all will switch to Boost when the threshold of low voltage is met.

To get most of these converters to get into boost mode you need to remove the battery and shore power and wait until the capacitors bleed off or turn on a light....
PD is one of the few that you can push a button and get the converter into any mode you want. WFCO copied this idea with their most recent panel mounted 89 and 87 series converters from what I have read.

Jim

DrewE wrote:
Just a note: PD converters don't always start in boost mode. It depends on the battery voltage (I think over a period of time)...

Hmm. Good to know.

*EDIT* (Strike the following per the post below) Bigfootford says his always has for something like a decade now. And his is oversized for the bank.

Now how would a converter with no power to it know the battery voltage over a period of time? Or do you mean more like a few seconds once you put power to it?

Just a note: PD converters don't always start in boost mode. It depends on the battery voltage (I think over a period of time). This is easy to see if you have the pendant since it shows the current mode even without AC power available. Right now, I am dry camping after a day of driving. The battery in my class C is showing 12.7V, and the blinky light is in slow blink mode (maintenance charge). It would stay there if I plugged in to shore power.

If I were to start the genetator, it likely would go into boost for a cycle since the battery voltage sags a good bit when cranking the Onan.

BillyW wrote:
This has been around for a while I think...

Quite possibly. It just seemed as though there was little discussion about them here so I threw in the "New" to grab attention to an otherwise mundane topic. :)

Besides... they're clearly "new" to many of us!

And yes. I couldn't find them on PD's website; just Randy's. But that isn't the first time something like that has happened. Didn't he have special models of the Boondockers?

i bought a new deck mount PD9270 in march
don't think it does 14.8
i have never measured that 'at the batteries'

i just went out to the electric bay and measured 14.32v at 26.94 amps
at the wire terminals on the PD
mine is Not the new 'C' model

my power meter on the wall is reading 14.10v at the batteries
charging at 12.1 amps,
the other amps are loads, fans, pc, etc..
my inverters are right next to the PD, the batteries 8ft away on the other side of the RV. OEM wiring is 'One Aught'

those few extra 'tenths of a volt' might be handy ?

i'll just have to figure out another way
like maybe one of those 900w 15amp DC boost converters

That sounds logical. E Caveat Emptor. A buyer should educate themselves as to the most appropriate model selection for their lifestyle.

14.8 for 4 hours would be an improvement for Boondock camping. Using a generator. Let the batteries discharge until the four hour regimen fits the negative ampere hours. Smaller capacity bank, smaller converter. Not as good as selectable time at absorbsion volt limit but better than fish hook through the thumb.

This has been around for a while I think. I don't see it on the PD website though. Or if it's there, it's not very easy to tell. I contacted Randy about it last year, and he tried to steer me toward the standard 14.4v model. I think there was some discussion that these are one offs that are modified by Best Converter?