Choosing a replacement power converter

[SkiSmuggs]

Even with a new battery my LED lights dim and brighten. My charger fan can also be loud, so I think a charger replacement and upgrade might be a good idea. I see they come in several wattages from 30 to 80 amps. How do I choose? I'm thinking the Intellipower converters with the Charge Wizard.
I have a 30 amp fiver. I guess I should look at the converter I have and go with the same or a step higher? Are converters like RV tires; barely adequate?

[nm1oqrz]

Hello fellow campers. I like the Boondocker series of converters. I just replaced my old univolt in the Airstream with a Boondocker 45. It is reasonably priced and has a 3 year warrantee.
Happy camping nm1oqrz

[SkiSmuggs]

There is room, but it would mean a 2nd battery box or a new one large enough for 2 group 27s. Any ideas on those? We've only dry camped once which is why we replaced the group 24 and the group 27 was good enough after 4 days to bring in the two slides, raise the rear stabilizers and the landing gear.
Actually, the battery outlasts the black tank capacity. :B

[64thunderbolt]

And 2 batt if you have room

[f1100turbo]

I'd recommend progressive dynamics converters!
With charge wizard

[SkiSmuggs]

Higher math, thanks! Just a single group 27, so 30, maybe 40. The fiver came with a group 24 that I upgraded to 27, so likey a 30 amp converter is in there now.

[wa8yxm]

SkiSmuggs wrote:
I'm thinking the Intellipower converters with the Charge Wizard.

You are thinking wisely grasshopper.

Though there are many that would rank either as good as the Charge Wizard controlled units from progressive Dynamics and even more so close as to not matter.. NONE would I rank better.

NOTE if your converter is part of your power distribution panel. You need not replace the panel.. You can just add like a 9200 to the system. (Optionally gut the existing converter to save weight or keep it around (Just disconnect the 120 volt lead to it) "Just in case".

Next question ... how big a converter (30-40-50-60-70 amp)

This depends on your batteries.. Take the amp hour ratings of your 12 volt battery(s0 (If you have six volt pairs treat each pair as a single 12 volt battery, for everything) and add 'em up

Two group 27, for example is roughly 190-100 amp hours.

Multiply by zero point three (0.3) or 30%

200 times 30% = 60

That is your converter size.

[SkiSmuggs]

Thanks for the responses. I have some homework to do. 🙂

And thank you, George!

[tenbear]

It sounds like your converter is shot or you have some loose contacts.

I had a Parallax/Magnetek 7345 converter, a single stage 45 amp converter that charges at 13.8v. You should look at your converter and see what the rating is. I replaced mine with a PD 9260. Its a 3 stage 60 amp converter. It charges the battery much faster. The PD 4600 series are plug and play replacements for the Magnetek converters.

I would check the connections to make sure they are tight before replacing the converter.

[RJsfishin]

If you want to charge w/ a small generator like a 1,000 watt Honda, stay w/ the PD9245 amp maximum. You can use a PD9260, but then you will for sure need the charge pendant to drop a gear to get it going when batteries are down much.

[westend]

bartlettj wrote:
I would check all the wiring and condition of the grounds before or when replacing the converter. A heavier gauge wire and clean connections will do wonders for the stability of the voltage of the system.

Very good advice!

What I'm seeing in most of the newer TT's is barely adequate wire sizes and very poor termination.

Let me ask this question: I just bought a new TT (hypothetical) for North of $20K. I will want a 12v system that is reliable and works adequately for my needs. *Here's the question* Will one 10AWG wire lead from the battery box on the tongue, interrupted by a cheap circuit breaker fastened to the tongue or frame (in the weather) be OK?

I have more of these "questions" regarding commensurate value, proper wiring technique, and system design. I'm sure others know about these very things.

[bartlettj]

I would check all the wiring and condition of the grounds before or when replacing the converter. A heavier gauge wire and clean connections will do wonders for the stability of the voltage of the system.

[time2roll]

How many batteries?
Do you expect fast charging on generator?
What is the current model rating?
What is the current model?
What size wire connects to the battery?

That is how you choose.

[SkiSmuggs]

Thanks, I see they have a different brand also with charge wizards and priced about the same.

[TucsonJim]

I purchased an Intellipower converter with the Charge Wizard in November 2011. It works as advertised. HOWEVER, I'm less than thrilled with their warranty. The unit failed last month. It was still under warranty. I called the company and they agreed to send a replacement. I received a unit that had been "reconditioned". I was okay with that, but it smelled like it had some kind of electrical fire in the past. There was a strong smell of burnt electronics. I installed it and it worked adequately though. Then I had to pay out of my own pocket to send the defective unit back. Not my idea of good customer service.