Should I switch out Converters?

[ljedik]

Hi everyone, I have a question, the DW and I just purchased our first Hybrid TT, it's a new to us 99 Starcraft TravelStar17CK. We are Coming from an older Class C and had a question for the group. One thing that I thought was strange was that it did not have a battery, what camper doesn't come with a battery? Lol anyways, we got a heck of a deal on it so its a minor issue since I have my second battery and inverter from our motor home.
My question is, the converter in the travelstar is a Todd Engineering PC40b 40 amp charger/power supply. I have read on here that these are problematic and was wondering if I should put in my 30amp inteli Power 9100 charger/converter? It's older, less amps but maybe better? I don't know.
Also any help as to where in the chain I put my battery would be of great help.

[ljedik]

Thanks for the recommendations. I think I will be changing the Converters out. I prefer having one that is from a reliable company with lower amps than one from a company that has gone out of business. Thanks again for your time and good advice everyone.

[Bobbo]

I don't know anything about the PC40, but I know the PD9130 is one of the top converters if you add the charge wizard. I have already posted on this thread about my PD4655V which is a close cousin of the PD9130.

[BarneyS]

I would put in the PD Intellipower converter and add a Charge Wizard to it for about $25. I have had this converter in my trailers for the past 15 years or so and added the Charge Wizard to it each time. It makes the converter a "smart charger" that will maintain your batteries without over charging them even if you leave it plugged in 24/7.
In my opinion, the PD converters are the best ones made.
Barney

[ljedik]

I apologize if I'm beating a dead horse with this subject, but I'm kinda dumb when it comes to electricity and converters. I'm just trying to decide which is the best one to use in my Starcraft. I do allot of boon docking, and want the best converter of these two. I realize there are better ones out there, but of these two that I own already, I want to be sure I'm using the better of them. so can someone read tall the German on the label and tell me what one gives me better charging and Converting power? :h

[ljedik]

Well, I'm back up and running with the new battery and its being charged by the PC40b currently. I'm still wondering whether I should switch them out. Both are older chargers. I really don't have the money to buy a new one.
Seems like mixed responses. I need to keep an eye on my battery to be sure it's not boiling over.

[time2roll]

Yes put in the 9100 and get a wizard controller if you don't have one.

[relaxin]

the converter I had in my starcraft ('96) ended up boiling out my batteries and fried a sterio system, something went wrong with it and next thin i knew, bbbbzzzzzzzzt

I bought one with a smart charge and boost charge feature, don't remember the name right now but it worked great, I even stepped up a size from 40 to 60 amp and that reduced the light dimming issues when the pump would come on, and never lost a battery again

[bikendan]

1999 was the first year for Starcraft hybrids and they changed to mounting the battery on the tongue soon after.

i suggest you post on the Hybrid Forum here, where there are lots of Starcraft owners there that will know your hybrid better.
but there won't be a lot of them, that own that old of a hybrid.

[mbopp]

If the battery is mounted INSIDE it should be in a sealed case and vented to the outside. Is there a battery tray on the tongue?

[wa8yxm]

Question on your trailer.. Does it have electric brakes? If so, you MUST have a battery.. If not, it's optional.

[ljedik]

Wow, just pulled the caps off the battery, no water, it had solidified. Guess maybe it was just a bad battery! This good news. Now to install my other battery and see if it takes a charge with this converter.

[ljedik]

Your right guys, I shouldn't jump to a conclusion from just reading the forums, your right, I'll keep it and if down the road it craps out, I'll deal with it then.
Low and behold, this morning I'm discovering my camper and I found a strange looking box buried in a small floor cabinet, it had a cover with a vent, so I screw it off and tada! A battery!
Previous oxwe who had owned it for 10 years said it had no battery and that they just always plugged in!
So now my question is, why was it not charging with this converter? I'm gonna pull the battery out and check the fluid level and stick it on a charger. But strange they didn't know about it. Could be toast if they didn't know about it and kept it there through several winters. I have a newer marine battery ill replace it with for now. But I need to make sure it charges.

[Bobbo]

You need to decide just WHY you are swapping out the converter. I wouldn't do it just because "I have read on here that these are problematic." There is nothing in your RV that hasn't be reported as problematic at one time or another.

I swapped my perfectly good Parallax 7345 converter out for a Progressive Dynamics PD4655V because I wanted the smart 3 stage charging since we boondock quite a bit. (I also upgraded the 8g wire from it to the battery for 4g wire.)

Others swap out a converter when the old one dies.

[downtheroad]

You might have read here on the Forum that this converter, "is problematic." But, have you had any problems with it?

Before I started wrenching, I'd use it and see how it does.