Replacing a 55 amp converter with a 45?

RJsfishin wrote:
80 amps out of 2 45s on the same bank ?? In your dreams ! :)

I could do it for sure with two 40amp Vectors, so why not with two 45amp PDs?. Some here have reported they use the original converter plus their new deck mount converter at the same time and they add their amps.

80 amps out of 2 45s on the same bank ?? In your dreams ! :)

RKW wrote:
Thanks for the responses folks.

Just to clarify, my old trailer is incandescent bulbs throughout, the new trailer is LED throughout.

The old trailer's battery bank consists of dual Trojan T-105's. The 45 amp PD did an excellent job of maintaining the battery bank. The first pair of batteries were replaced after 8 years and were still good, just requiring frequent watering. Boondocking with short, daily recharging from a generator was no problem. I have a Link 10 battery meter and I monitored the recharging. A 45 amp converter/charger is a good match for a 225 amp-hour bank.

The 45 is slow though.

Since you already have that 45 amper, IMO your best bet is to get a second one and run both at the same time on the 225AH bank. (you have plenty of generator to run them) One would be a deck mount, the other in where the WFCO was. PDs taper right away so you would be doing bulk (charge Wizard induced as required) at more like 80 amps with the two 45s.

Sure looks like you answered your own question (the best way to resolve an issue IMO).

The only point seems to be if you think your new trailer accessory load may grow beyond a potential of 45 amps.

And the best point is it's going to cost you nothing but your time :)

I don't think it's fair to put that POS WFCO in your old trailer, before selling it or giving it away. Buy a new or used PD for the new trailer, and let the owner of the old trailer keep the original unit that came inside it.

You'll get far better performance if you mount the new PD as close as possible to your batteries, with a short run of thick cable from charge controller to batteries.

Thanks for the responses folks.

Just to clarify, my old trailer is incandescent bulbs throughout, the new trailer is LED throughout.

The old trailer's battery bank consists of dual Trojan T-105's. The 45 amp PD did an excellent job of maintaining the battery bank. The first pair of batteries were replaced after 8 years and were still good, just requiring frequent watering. Boondocking with short, daily recharging from a generator was no problem. I have a Link 10 battery meter and I monitored the recharging. A 45 amp converter/charger is a good match for a 225 amp-hour bank.

I went to a 45 on my converter to make it possible to charge my batteries using a 1000 watt generator in the case that there just wasn't any sun for an extended amount of time. Rare, but it has happened a few times. I have 3- 12 volts, and it works fine to keep things working. I have no room for a larger generator.

Mike

Hi,

I have 66 gallons of fresh water. It takes less than 30 minutes for the pump to empty it all. Conclusion--4 amp-hours of battery capacity is used. The pump is high draw but the duty cycle is extremely tiny.

The furnace is a different matter altogether and needs lots of battery capacity. When temperatures are below freezing the furnace may use as much power in one hour as the pump does to empty the water tank.

Should you be concerned with the lower amp rating:

Most likely answer is NO,

But if you have a lot of light bulbs you could hit 45 amps.

1 1141 is about an amp and a half, a 1156 around 2 amps.. Your fridge needs a couple as does the water heater. (even if running on propane) the big suckers are the water pump and furnace.. but the water pump only runs on occasion.

And going from the 45 to the 55 in the old trailer will likely not cause any issues either though the purist will say to upgrade the wires.

Agree with the majority here. The PD will do just fine, and will be quite an upgrade in battery charging and lifespan.