Replacement Converter PD9270v

[ken_burke]

All . . . . I currently have a WF-9865 converter in my Cedar Creek that may be going out. I would like to replace the converter. Has anyone replaced their converter with the

" Progressive Dynamics PD9270V Inteli-Power Converter Charger 70A with Charge Wizard Camper Trailer"

The PD seems to be recomended. Do you think that the PD would be a good replacement for the WF converter??

thanks ken

[BFL13]

The PowerMax 75amper has PF correction, so it will run on the 2000w gen ok with room to spare. However, the PD has a Charge Wizard feature, which can be a handy thing at times.

Assuming the PD 60 really acts more like a 55, as many have reported, there is still not that much gen time to be saved going from a 55 to a 75 doing a 50-90.

On balance, much as I like my PowerMax, the OP's choice of a PD 60 amper is sound, IMO.

[wa8yxm]

Do you think that the PD would be a good replacement for the WF converter??

YES!

I think that would be a very good choice.

[ken_burke]

bigfootford wrote:

ken burke wrote:

Wayne Dohnal wrote:
At a typical 80% efficiency and 0.7 power factor, a maxed-out 60 amp converter will draw over 1,500 VA, and a maxed-out 75 amp converter over 1,900 VA. You can get away with higher than 60 amps on an eu2000i if you're willing to make sure the battery doesn't get highly discharged, cut other loads when necessary, and/or manually kick the converter out of boost mode when necessary. If you really need the bigger converter, a power factor corrected model might be justified.

Thanks . . . . good info. I am not sure, but I think that you are saying to get the 70-75 amp converter.
How do I manually kick out the boost mode on a converter? Is that a special option on some converters?
We don't boondog much, but I have a Harbor Freight 3000 generator, and I plan on doing some boondogging where I will need to use the generator.

I went through Bend 40 years ago, and fell in love with it. I remember one gas station and one diner. A guy at the diner said he shot a buck off of his porch. I returned to Bend 15 years later, and decided to look elsewhere.

ken

The PD "Progressive Dynamics" product line is the only moderate cost converter that provides this ability. In my and many's opinion one of the best features avail for charging our batteries.

Sometimes when one starts charging and the batteries are cold they will cause all converters to not go into Boost/bulk mode. Thus charging will be slow. If one has the PD with the controller he can switch modes to bulk by pushing a button.

Another is if you have a big battery bank and a high amp converter 60+ and are trying to charge using a smaller genny you can switch modes to a lower charge rate, ABSORB or Float until the batteries have charged enough to allow the higher charge rate of bulk mode.

Another is when your batteries are hot 95deg+, because of hot weather . You do not want to charge very long in bulk mode with any converter. The PD allows you to switch modes to a lower setting and thus not boil your batteries.

Jim

Thanks all for you recommendations and ideas. I will get the 65 amp PD.

ken

[bigfootford]

ken burke wrote:

Wayne Dohnal wrote:
At a typical 80% efficiency and 0.7 power factor, a maxed-out 60 amp converter will draw over 1,500 VA, and a maxed-out 75 amp converter over 1,900 VA. You can get away with higher than 60 amps on an eu2000i if you're willing to make sure the battery doesn't get highly discharged, cut other loads when necessary, and/or manually kick the converter out of boost mode when necessary. If you really need the bigger converter, a power factor corrected model might be justified.

Thanks . . . . good info. I am not sure, but I think that you are saying to get the 70-75 amp converter.
How do I manually kick out the boost mode on a converter? Is that a special option on some converters?
We don't boondog much, but I have a Harbor Freight 3000 generator, and I plan on doing some boondogging where I will need to use the generator.

I went through Bend 40 years ago, and fell in love with it. I remember one gas station and one diner. A guy at the diner said he shot a buck off of his porch. I returned to Bend 15 years later, and decided to look elsewhere.

ken

The PD "Progressive Dynamics" product line is the only moderate cost converter that provides this ability. In my and many's opinion one of the best features avail for charging our batteries.

Sometimes when one starts charging and the batteries are cold they will cause all converters to not go into Boost/bulk mode. Thus charging will be slow. If one has the PD with the controller he can switch modes to bulk by pushing a button.

Another is if you have a big battery bank and a high amp converter 60+ and are trying to charge using a smaller genny you can switch modes to a lower charge rate, ABSORB or Float until the batteries have charged enough to allow the higher charge rate of bulk mode.

Another is when your batteries are hot 95deg+, because of hot weather . You do not want to charge very long in bulk mode with any converter. The PD allows you to switch modes to a lower setting and thus not boil your batteries.

Jim

[mena661]

renoman69 wrote:

whatever....I have watched my Iota 75 put 73 amps into the 50% battery bank while being powered by my Honda eu2000i.

Renoman's experience is the perfect example of why I stopped guaranteeing and promising. Sometimes things just work out differently.

[renoman69]

Wayne Dohnal wrote:
At a typical 80% efficiency and 0.7 power factor, a maxed-out 60 amp converter will draw over 1,500 VA, and a maxed-out 75 amp converter over 1,900 VA. You can get away with higher than 60 amps on an eu2000i if you're willing to make sure the battery doesn't get highly discharged, cut other loads when necessary, and/or manually kick the converter out of boost mode when necessary. If you really need the bigger converter, a power factor corrected model might be justified.

whatever....I have watched my Iota 75 put 73 amps into the 50% battery bank while being powered by my Honda eu2000i.

[ken_burke]

Wayne Dohnal wrote:
At a typical 80% efficiency and 0.7 power factor, a maxed-out 60 amp converter will draw over 1,500 VA, and a maxed-out 75 amp converter over 1,900 VA. You can get away with higher than 60 amps on an eu2000i if you're willing to make sure the battery doesn't get highly discharged, cut other loads when necessary, and/or manually kick the converter out of boost mode when necessary. If you really need the bigger converter, a power factor corrected model might be justified.

Thanks . . . . good info. I am not sure, but I think that you are saying to get the 70-75 amp converter.
How do I manually kick out the boost mode on a converter? Is that a special option on some converters?
We don't boondog much, but I have a Harbor Freight 3000 generator, and I plan on doing some boondogging where I will need to use the generator.

I went through Bend 40 years ago, and fell in love with it. I remember one gas station and one diner. A guy at the diner said he shot a buck off of his porch. I returned to Bend 15 years later, and decided to look elsewhere.

ken

[Wayne_Dohnal]

At a typical 80% efficiency and 0.7 power factor, a maxed-out 60 amp converter will draw over 1,500 VA, and a maxed-out 75 amp converter over 1,900 VA. You can get away with higher than 60 amps on an eu2000i if you're willing to make sure the battery doesn't get highly discharged, cut other loads when necessary, and/or manually kick the converter out of boost mode when necessary. If you really need the bigger converter, a power factor corrected model might be justified.

[renoman69]

ktmrfs wrote:
The PD units are IMHO a definite improvement over the WFCO units. WFCO are not known for going into bulk mode charging for most users.

If you dry camp and use a 2000W or smaller generator, I'd recomend the PD60A unit over a bigger one. The reason is that the 60A is already near the max continous rated VA for many 2000W generators. The actual current draw is near 1500VA (much higher than the watts, related to the poor power factor) when charging well discharged batteries. The 70A unit may push you over the edge with a 2000W generator, especially at higher temps and high altitude.

If your not "generator" limited, go for whatever will fit.

My Honda 2000i runs my 75 amp Iota just fine.

[arcticgps]

I have had problems with single stage power converters shortening my battery life in 2 different rigs. In both cases I replaced what I had with a multi stage Progressive Dynamics charger and my batteries last much longer.

It looks like you model has a built in "Charge Wizard" - I'd keep it. Looks like a great piece of equipment.

http://www.progressivedyn.com/prod_details/rv_conv/rv_converter_pd9270_2.html

That is the model you are talking about, right?

[time2roll]

For easy direct board replacement consider the WFCO-Powermax Main Board Replacement.

http://www.bestconverter.com/WFCO-Powermax-Main-Board-Replacement_c_196.html

I recommend the 35 or 45 amp for 1 or 2 batteries and the 55/75 amp for 3+ batteries.

3 yr warranty

[09FLSTC]

Its a good unit. I would also consider the Powermax Boondocker 75. Similar money and a better warranty. The Iota is nice too but more money. Check out bestconverter.com Reasonable and great folks.

[ktmrfs]

The PD units are IMHO a definite improvement over the WFCO units. WFCO are not known for going into bulk mode charging for most users.

If you dry camp and use a 2000W or smaller generator, I'd recomend the PD60A unit over a bigger one. The reason is that the 60A is already near the max continous rated VA for many 2000W generators. The actual current draw is near 1500VA (much higher than the watts, related to the poor power factor) when charging well discharged batteries. The 70A unit may push you over the edge with a 2000W generator, especially at higher temps and high altitude.

If your not "generator" limited, go for whatever will fit.

[doughere]

I have a PD9260 leave it plugged in all the time at home, maintains the battery fine (two 6V GC are now 6 years old with no apparent loss of capacity). We dry camp often, and the unit has great output when recharging from gen.

The 9260 replaced the original 45 Amp single voltage converter installed in the power center(actually left original in place as an emergency backup). Required installing unit in a different location. I moved it from the original power center where it was too big to mount to a compartment next to the batteries. Used battery cables from a local automotive store to wire the system from the converter to the batteries to essentially eliminate any voltage drop between the converter and batteries. Extremely happy with the results.

Doug