Worthwhile to change out my Parallax 7300 Converter/Charger?
Hello folks,
For years I have read that the factory converter/chargers on most RVs don't usually charge the storage batteries very well. With tax returns I finally have a little money to change out my power unit if I decide to, but I am wondering if it is worthwhile?
We often camp where there are at least electrical hookups, but frequently boondock, and for that I have solar panels run through a charger control that works well. At home between trips, I maintain the batteries with a Xantrex SureCharge 10 that has three different charging levels along with a periodic high charge to keep the plates clean. My batteries consist of one deep-cycle group 27 12-volt that we usually use while on shore power, and two 6-volt GC-2s that we use off the grid. I seldom have to add water to either, maybe a little bit twice a year or so.
I was considering changing out my OEM Parallax 7345 for a Progressive Industries PD4645; it is pretty much a direct replacement for the charger portion of my power center that has multiple battery charging levels, an charge level indicator light with an override switch for manual mode, and comes with a new DC fuse panel that has the "blown fuse" indicator lights, all for about $200. However, while researching my options, I ran across some information on Parallax's website that made sense. They said basically that the variable-rate chargers with the high-voltage modes work well for batteries, but when they also supply power to the trailer lights and accessories on the same outputs as the battery charger (as the PD4645 does), there is no "buffer" to deliver more consistent voltage to the trailer itself, meaning that some appliances will be subjected to higher voltage at times. I had wondered about this myself, but had never seen it in writing before.
So, really, I have no need for the faster recharging times that the Progressive Industries unit can provide, since I have a charger especially for the batteries at home and don't use a generator while boondocking. The only advantage I can see at this point to changing the module out is possibly(?) longer battery life, and the blown fuse indicators that I don't have now.
I'd value your input and experience- would I be wasting money to fix something that doesn't seem to be too badly broken, or will my much longer battery life eventually pay for this upgrade? Are there any other pieces to this puzzle that I am missing?
Thanks, safe travels!
Regan
For years I have read that the factory converter/chargers on most RVs don't usually charge the storage batteries very well. With tax returns I finally have a little money to change out my power unit if I decide to, but I am wondering if it is worthwhile?
We often camp where there are at least electrical hookups, but frequently boondock, and for that I have solar panels run through a charger control that works well. At home between trips, I maintain the batteries with a Xantrex SureCharge 10 that has three different charging levels along with a periodic high charge to keep the plates clean. My batteries consist of one deep-cycle group 27 12-volt that we usually use while on shore power, and two 6-volt GC-2s that we use off the grid. I seldom have to add water to either, maybe a little bit twice a year or so.
I was considering changing out my OEM Parallax 7345 for a Progressive Industries PD4645; it is pretty much a direct replacement for the charger portion of my power center that has multiple battery charging levels, an charge level indicator light with an override switch for manual mode, and comes with a new DC fuse panel that has the "blown fuse" indicator lights, all for about $200. However, while researching my options, I ran across some information on Parallax's website that made sense. They said basically that the variable-rate chargers with the high-voltage modes work well for batteries, but when they also supply power to the trailer lights and accessories on the same outputs as the battery charger (as the PD4645 does), there is no "buffer" to deliver more consistent voltage to the trailer itself, meaning that some appliances will be subjected to higher voltage at times. I had wondered about this myself, but had never seen it in writing before.
So, really, I have no need for the faster recharging times that the Progressive Industries unit can provide, since I have a charger especially for the batteries at home and don't use a generator while boondocking. The only advantage I can see at this point to changing the module out is possibly(?) longer battery life, and the blown fuse indicators that I don't have now.
I'd value your input and experience- would I be wasting money to fix something that doesn't seem to be too badly broken, or will my much longer battery life eventually pay for this upgrade? Are there any other pieces to this puzzle that I am missing?
Thanks, safe travels!
Regan
