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Freedom_49's avatar
Freedom_49
Explorer
Jun 14, 2015

Inverter dying; replace with just converter?

We have a small truck camper and our Prosine 2.0 inverter/charger is starting to give problems after 9 years. We don't use it as an inverter much and I think we would be happy with a converter with a good battery charger and that came with a remote panel. We are running two 6 Volt 250 ah AGMs.

The only thing that we would need AC for when we were not connected to shore power might be rechargeable AA batteries.

Am I missing anything? If not, does anybody have a recommendation on a unit?

Much appreciated!
  • Install a Progressive Dynamics converter with 3-4 stage charger & pick-up a small portable modified or pure sine inverter for occasional use.
  • Yes just get a good converter such as Progressive Dynamics with a Wizard or IOTA with IQ controller. 45 to 70 amps is fine unless your generator is only 1000w then 40a max.

    www.bestconverter.com

    Small 150 or 300 watt inverter will serve you well if needed.

    Next will be 100 to 200 watts of solar....
  • Dakota98 wrote:
    Install a Progressive Dynamics converter with 3-4 stage charger & pick-up a small portable modified or pure sine inverter for occasional use.


    X2.
    That's what we use.
  • smkettner wrote:

    Next will be 100 to 200 watts of solar....

    Thanks!

    We have 120W of solar with a Bluesky Solar Boost 2000E controller. Our challenge is that we are from Canada and camp from mid August as far into October as we can, and the combination of our latitude and tree canopied campgrounds makes solar less efficient than we need to keep our batteries topped up. Conserving amps is one reason we have stopped using our inverter, and we like the way it's worked out.
  • Check with best converter - link above. They offer several options.

    Another option is a pair of 140 watt solar panels, and 20 amp controller.

    SUnElec.com

    Fred.
  • Triple check that your genset can worst-case run the charger
    Some gens are under-powered for the job.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Ok to do this you will need
    1 Converter:May I suggest a Progressive Dynamics 9200 series.. With a Prosine 2.0 you likely have 2 pair of GC2.. So you can get the big one (9280) if you like.


    And a junction/breaker box with a SINGLE 20 amp breaker.

    UNPLUG from shore power.

    Open the Prosine's connections panel 120 volt) remove wires,, LABEL "AC-IN" and "AC-OUT" using a sharpie please (just in case)

    Disconnect 12 volt leads (negative all of them) from the battery

    Disconnect 12 volt leads from Prosine (Set prosine aside)

    Connect 12 volt leads to 9200

    Install 9200

    Connect AC leads as follows

    Ann Neutral (White Wires are connected to the neutral bus
    Likewise all GREEN/Bare wires to the ground bus

    AC-in and AC-out black leads connect to the HOT supply side bus

    PD-9200 black lead to the 20 amp breaker.

    Job done.

    You might label the breaker and give some indication that you removed the prosine so that anyone who wants to replace it later can do so.

    As for your AA battery charger... I have one (panasonic brand) that works with AA or AAA runs off a USB port

    You can install 12 volt powered USB ports (Several threads on it) so you need no 120 vac power for that.. in fact mine is pluggded into 12 volt powred USB charge adapter as I type.

    They also make 12 volt chargrs (I have or had one)

    Here is an example
  • From what you say, you probably don't need a 115 AC inverter. There are numerous AA/AAA and USB chargers that run off 12V Cigarette Lighter outlets.

    I have a 150 PSW inverter for the TV / DVD (seldom used); but batteries for cameras, AA/AAA, USB powered devices are all run off 12V cigarette Lighter style adapters.

    Doug
  • You can also use a solar (i.e; garden/pathway) light to charge AA's. And it will serve as a night light, if placed upside down on the counter.(preferably one with an on/off switch)

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