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ib516's avatar
ib516
Explorer II
Apr 18, 2017

What can you tell me about my converter/charger?

My gal has got herself a 2010 Jayco x17z hybrid RV. From what I could find, it comes with an IOTA 45 amp converter/charger. We will be doing some dry camping and running the generator (2000w inverter style) for a short period of time during the day to recharge the battery.

The battery that was on the RV had a broken case (I think maybe it froze and split) so I am replacing it with a Group 31 to get the most aH out of a single battery.

What I'd like to know is what is the charging like from a 45 amp IOTA converter charger from 2010? Is it based on time? Does it sense voltage of the battery and adjust the charge accordingly? I went to the IOTA website, but all they have is info on their current products, and I don't know how much they have changed (if at all). What I want to avoid is an undercharged or overcharged (boiled) battery.

15 Replies

  • I have some concern because I know that the RV forced air furnace takes ~11 to 13 amps to run, and I imagine when camping in a HTT in the Canadian Rockies, where it can get to the single digit temps (Celcius) or into the 30s F, the furnace will run quite a bit. I'll check for the phone jack hole on it, and if it has that I will buy the gizmo that allows for better charging.

    Other than that, I will take along my multi-meter and take a few readings. In my previous RVs, I could usually tell the condition of the battery when I woke up and heard the speed of the furnace fan LOL.
  • No matter what is said...

    No matter what is read...

    The end result is not predictable. To do whatever it takes to get charging voltage as high as is limited, is to do all that you can.

    Go camping.

    Note deficiencies. Return then deal with your style of camping.

    Do this. Buy a GOOD hand held digital multi meter and take it along. As things happen, takes notes. Voltage readings. Forget everything else except generator run time.

    You leave with a full battery.

    You rise and shine the first boondock morning. What is the battery voltage? Write it down.

    You run the generator for whatever time you think is best then shut it off. What is the battery voltage at point of generator shutdown?

    Resume camping.

    An hour later take another battery voltage reading. Write it down.

    The next morning, take another voltage reading after breakfast.

    If the battery gets too discharged, you'll be the first to know. You will be starting the generator to recharge. Note the voltage and the total run time to do your best guess to recharge.

    Return home with all the notes. Post them. They are vital meaning indispensable clues. They reveal exactly any weak points in system design and configuration (and generator operation).

    I refer to this as basis system status. From this point you can plan and build. Or not.
  • I think the set voltage is 14.4
    You are unlikely to boil the battery
    Recharge time will depend on how much power you use
    When the generator is off
    One of the $30 eBay amp meters is a good idea, to install to monitor the recharge amps
  • Phone jack? Get the IQ controller. Excellent converter.

    No phone jack as many OEM's are? :( just a 13.6v fixed power supply. Actually I have read where these can be modified to add the jack. Need to contact IOTA and have some electronics skill.

  • Look for a phone type jack socket. If it has one, you can plug in the jack that comes with that IOTA to make it go to a higher charging voltage (but still in the low 14s) To go back to 13.6, remove the jack. Or you can get the IQ4 to plug in there, which makes it a typical three-stage converter. (Recommended)

    Without the jack, it is just a single stage 13.6v converter and will be very slow to do a recharge (which is not good when using a generator)

    Some Jayco RVs with IOTAs back when, did not have the jack at all and were straight 13.6v.

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