Purchase of convertor, auto trans switch, surge protector

[Stude55Dog]

Need to purchase convertor, automatic transfer switch and surge protector. Need input on what are best economic investments. To go on Infinity 37' 5th wheel. Appreciate all opinions and guidance. Thanks

[Stude55Dog]

Thanks to all for input. Only needed converter after having electrician out.

[DrewE]

CharlesinGA wrote:

Manual transfer switches are relatively common, they are called a receptacle and a plug on the cord. You want the genny, coil the cord in the compartment and plug it in the genny receptacle; you want the shore power, pull the cord out of the compartment and plug it in the pedestal.

That is how my Winnebago View is set up from the factory and typical of many WBO and other products.

Charles

That's a manual switching setup, for sure, but it's not a manual transfer switch, anymore than twisting a light bulb in or out of a socket is a rotary light switch.

[CharlesinGA]

DrewE wrote:

Optimistic Paranoid wrote:
Rather than an AUTOMATIC transfer switch, you might take a look at a simple manual transfer switch from Sterling Power. It would let you choose between shore power, a generator, or a large inverter quite easily.

AC Crossover Switch

These would work nicely for a 30A RV, but are only two pole and so would not work for a 50A RV where one needs to switch the two hot legs and the neutral. (In a typical fixed building application, the neutral is not switched, but it must be on an RV.)

The general idea of a manual transfer switch is entirely valid and reasonable, of course. I'm a bit surprised they are not more common on RVs.

Manual transfer switches are relatively common, they are called a receptacle and a plug on the cord. You want the genny, coil the cord in the compartment and plug it in the genny receptacle; you want the shore power, pull the cord out of the compartment and plug it in the pedestal.

That is how my Winnebago View is set up from the factory and typical of many WBO and other products.

Charles

[DrewE]

Optimistic Paranoid wrote:
Rather than an AUTOMATIC transfer switch, you might take a look at a simple manual transfer switch from Sterling Power. It would let you choose between shore power, a generator, or a large inverter quite easily.

AC Crossover Switch

These would work nicely for a 30A RV, but are only two pole and so would not work for a 50A RV where one needs to switch the two hot legs and the neutral. (In a typical fixed building application, the neutral is not switched, but it must be on an RV.)

The general idea of a manual transfer switch is entirely valid and reasonable, of course. I'm a bit surprised they are not more common on RVs.

[Optimistic_Para]

Rather than an AUTOMATIC transfer switch, you might take a look at a simple manual transfer switch from Sterling Power. It would let you choose between shore power, a generator, or a large inverter quite easily.

AC Crossover Switch

[BFL13]

wa8yxm wrote:

BFL13 wrote:
Why buy a 9260 for $60 more and it doesn't even have an adjustable voltage, just three set voltages to choose from?

Because of the 4th stage (Automatic equalization) I have done research and the only two I'd suggest are the Progressive Dynanics and the IOTA with IQ4

Adjustable voltage is nice.. IF YOU KNOW HOW TO ADJUST IT. (As it happens I do) but even though I have an 80 amp adjustable.. I prefer the 80 amp 9180 with wizard because I have never seen another converter (Save for the IQ4) that had that auto-equalize feature.

So it's not blind love. it's a couple years of solid research.

For some years now there has been a Boondocker version of the older model Randy calls a "PM4" that does that destratification boost every so often during the third, 13.2v stage, "storage".

Of course it is not "equalization", but that is what PD calls it and other brands that do the same thing have to be careful in their advertising what they call theirs.

You can get the new model with that fourth stage too if you want, but must ask for it specifically. It is a bit muddy on the website for details. Their "paperwork" is not keeping up with what is going on, but is getting there 😞

https://powermaxconverters.com/product/pm4-series-2/

[wa8yxm]

BFL13 wrote:
Why buy a 9260 for $60 more and it doesn't even have an adjustable voltage, just three set voltages to choose from?

Because of the 4th stage (Automatic equalization) I have done research and the only two I'd suggest are the Progressive Dynanics and the IOTA with IQ4

Adjustable voltage is nice.. IF YOU KNOW HOW TO ADJUST IT. (As it happens I do) but even though I have an 80 amp adjustable.. I prefer the 80 amp 9180 with wizard because I have never seen another converter (Save for the IQ4) that had that auto-equalize feature.

So it's not blind love. it's a couple years of solid research.

[Cydog15]

I'd use the Boondocker like mentioned above. There is not much $ difference and you get a better warranty and somebody that will help/walk you with your electric system. We just bought the 45 amp for a truck I don't even know about lol and it too was the CL model. Even pretty new labels not on their website yet but cool.

[BFL13]

time2roll wrote:
With a single group 24 I doubt this is very far off grid and in the need of a specialized adjustable voltage converter. For the described use I would specifically avoid the adjustable.

OK but it is still only $111 and you can choose to leave it in the automatic three stage mode. What's not to like?

[time2roll]

With a single group 24 I doubt this is very far off grid and in the need of a specialized adjustable voltage converter. For the described use I would specifically avoid the adjustable.

[BFL13]

Why buy a 9260 for $60 more and it doesn't even have an adjustable voltage, just three set voltages to choose from?

Also the Boost stage with a PD does not seem to hold constant amps very well, but tapers somewhat instead, and it doesn't even start at its advertised amps, but maybe 5 amps less, according to many posters on here. Wasting gen time as a result, by not holding constant rated amps for the whole Bulk stage.

A very few posters have managed to get their PDs to do better by using very fat and short wire to the battery bank, but the "other brands" manage to hold constant amps in Bulk without any fuss.

Brand loyalty is one thing, but "love is blind" is no excuse IMO.

[wa8yxm]

Stude55Dog wrote:
Need to purchase convertor, automatic transfer switch and surge protector. Need input on what are best economic investments. To go on Infinity 37' 5th wheel. Appreciate all opinions and guidance. Thanks

COnverter: Progressive Dynamics 9200
ATS: Most of 'em are very good
Surge Protector: Progressive Industries HW-30/50c (the number depends on if your RV is 30 or 50 amp) HW means Hard wired Optional is PT instead of HW (portable) but I really like HW

Optional.. If you want a big inverter to power TV. Microwave and such Well I just replaced my prosine with a Xantrex Freedom 2000 xc 2000 watt pure sine inverter + 80 amp converter.. Now I like the 9200 so much I disabled the converter in the Freedom.. Same as I did with my Prosine.. but it's easy to restore (menu option) if I need it

[BFL13]

Thanks for the correction on the type of converter. You don't want the older model shown in time2roll's link. The 60 amp LK is much better than the older PM3/4 type. Has adjustable voltage.

You might get a Boondocker version of the LK anyway, if your order that one time2roll linked, but you might still get the older one actually shown. The LK is better and less money here:

https://www.amazon.com/Powermax-PM3-60LK-Converter-Battery-Charger/dp/B01N4L1B6P/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&...

If you ask Randy at bestconverters which model you would really get, and he offers the new one, then it might be worth the extra price since he has a three-year warranty instead of a two year.

It is hard to tell where things stand with these things at bestconverters right now, while they transition to the new models. I think Randy is calling an LK, an "LC" , but it is not too clear.

Here is how to operate the LK's adjustable voltage mode if you switch it to that mode from its automatic three stage mode. You can switch it back and forth to suit your needs. Para 9

https://powermaxconverters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/PM3-12V-LK-Manual-2018.pdf

[time2roll]

BFL13 wrote:
This will do the job if all you want is a replacement that actually works like it is supposed to. I doubt you need a 65 instead of this 55, but they also have a 75 amper.

https://www.amazon.com/PowerMax-PM4-55-MBA-Replacement-Converter-Distribution/dp/B075JRR1FJ/ref=sr_1...

9865 is a deck mount. You need the full box.
Boondocker BD1260C (60 Amp 4-Stage Converter/Charger) $159

The 50 amp transfer switch listed above is fine. For extra heavy duty there is the PD53-100 for 2x the price.
http://www.bestconverter.com/100-Amp-Transfer-Switch_c_195.html

For surge and voltage protection: (get the 50 amp)
http://www.bestconverter.com/RV-Power-Protection-EMS_c_194.html

Or buy direct:
http://www.progressiveindustries.net/our-products

Get the full EMS not the low cost surge protection only.