New to me 1998 Bigfoot M-30-C-10.3

NightSailor wrote:

bigfootford wrote:
There a a few of the not so expensive converters that will work with GEL.

Progressive dynamics which is great has a special remote control for GEL..

The 9100 series Progressive dynamics converters coupled with the controller/Wizard will do it for you...
If you later decide to go with AGM or Flooded Wet cells then you just purchase the other controller/wizard...Cheap!

http://progressivedyn.com/prod_details/charge_wizard_9105gv.html

So I would contact Randy at Bestconverter and talk to him..

As a note, the package size of the 9145 is different than the 9160...
If you already have the Magnetek 6xxx converter the 9130,40,45 will not quite fit in there, the 9160 will....

http://www.bestconverter.com/9100-Series-Deck-Mount_c_39.html

Here's Bestconverters link for the conversion:

http://www.bestconverter.com/MagnetekParallax-to-PDI-or-Iota_ep_13-1.html

Great writeup for the actual conversion... You will need to run way heavier wires from the converter to the battery (s)... Another thread for this or some searching will provide you with your needs.

I have done a bit of research and I have seen no evidence that these are good chargers for Gel Cells. They do not provide any information on the charging scheme and bias voltages for each stage. Also, the equalization stage is harmful to most AGM and Gel Cells.

I wrote both PD and Best and was given bad advice by each person. Best recommended one with equalization stages with too high a charge current for AGM. PD recommended an even higher charge rate, also with an equalization stage. Only some AGM can tolerate equalization--East Penn Batteries. I am shocked that I was advised by each of these companies to purchase a charger that would destroy my expensive to replace battery.

The bottom line is I'd be better off with a three stage marine charger, with three options for battery types, or charging off a quality solar charge controller.

From what I can see, there is a big hole in the market for converter/chargers that function properly. The market is really bias towards flooded deep cycle batteries, and these chargers are not good for Gel Cell or AGM batteries.

While the current converter charger I have is not very good either, I don't see any reason to upgrade to a charger that will.

This is getting off topic so maybe the following will help:

Lot's of reading about AGM's. Maybe you should either start a thread questioning all the converters and different type of AGM's out there or go to this ongoing thread and start questioning...

Many of us out here in our TC's etc using PD's etc charging AGM's of various varieties very well and have for many years. There are many of us that have agms that are well over 4 years on our AGM's and have not had any problems. Some over 7 years.

AGM battery discussion

Jim