bigfoot converter/charger

[umpqua]

I've got a 2006 Bigfoot 10.6 camper

What converter/charger is normally found in a Bigfoot and what would be the recommended converter/charger with easy installation for someone who likes to leave their camper plugged in over winter and between trips.

It appears from my reading I'm burning up batteries by leaving it plugged in when I get home from trips and/or not properly charging batteries when I get home from trips. I'm a bit neglectful, but from the reading I've done the issue is likely due to plugging it in after removing the camper from the truck.

I've got the deep cycle I bought last year on the charger in the garage and I don't expect it to be much good. Then there is my pair of 6v batteries down at Les Schwab being tested to see if they are any good. I got them for my wife's trip to Alaska a few years ago and put them in the garage intending to charge them last year, but forgot…. Had to grab a deep cycle for a quick trip when I realized they were dead (due to not being plugged in…my wife pulled the plug that goes to the camper)

We don't use the camper too much and rarely for more than a few days. I've got an eu2000i I take along on most trips if I think I will need a charge. I'm going to be using the camper for the next 4 weekends traveling to baseball games with my son.

[dunegoon1]

About 5 years ago, I came to realize that the Magnetek converter/charger in my Bigfoot 9.5 was a battery destroyer. Additionally, its charging rate was a mere 3 amps so it took forever for a generator to do some catch up charging when my solar couldn't keep up. So I marked all of the wires and took the unit out. I replaced the entire converter charger portion and replaced it with an Iota 55 amp charger with their IQ module. I am very happy with the results but I'm sure there are easier solutions these days.

[bigfootgrey]

Thanks,Tamnative.
We will be upgrading. Looks like an easy install.

Bob

[Tamnative]

bigfootgrey wrote:
We have a Parallax 7345 converter in our 2008 Bigfoot 25 c. 10.4. We will be plugged in for 3 months. Should we upgrade or will our batteries survive 3 months? No problems with the Parallax,but haven't been plugged in for longer than a week.

You will have to keep an eye on the water in the batteries and make sure it is boiling out.
On the 10.4 that can be a bit of a pain as the door to the batteries is a little small vertically .

[bigfootgrey]

We have a Parallax 7345 converter in our 2008 Bigfoot 25 c. 10.4. We will be plugged in for 3 months. Should we upgrade or will our batteries survive 3 months? No problems with the Parallax,but haven't been plugged in for longer than a week.

[Mr__Patches]

The replacement will have to wait until I get back as I'm leaving early next week and with all the rain we have had very little has been done in preparation for the trip. The old Parallax is still working so I don't anticipate any problems.

Rich & Miss Ivy
BunFest Express II

[towpro]

Mr. Patches wrote:
Thanks Tamnative. Getting ready for a month long trip to visit family/friends and will order it as soon as I get back.

Rich & Miss Ivy
BunFest Express II

Might be worth it to replace it before you go on your long trip?

[bigfootford]

Mr. Patches wrote:
Thanks Tamnative. Getting ready for a month long trip to visit family/friends and will order it as soon as I get back.

Rich & Miss Ivy
BunFest Express II

Excellent choice..

Might consider the remote too. Allows easier access to control of the charge stage.

Jim

[Mr__Patches]

Thanks Tamnative. Getting ready for a month long trip to visit family/friends and will order it as soon as I get back.

Rich & Miss Ivy
BunFest Express II

[Tamnative]

Mr. Patches wrote:
thundercloud,

I have a 2007 25C9.4SB with the Parallax 7345 converter that I would like to upgrade but there is very little room behind the converter due to the drain for the black tank. Is the Bestconverter Upgrade Kit the same size as the 7300 series so it will fit?

Yes
http://www.bestconverter.com/4600-series-Upgrade-Kits_c_133.html

[Mr__Patches]

thundercloud,

I have a 2007 25C9.4SB with the Parallax 7345 converter that I would like to upgrade but there is very little room behind the converter due to the drain for the black tank. Is the Bestconverter Upgrade Kit the same size as the 7300 series so it will fit?

[thundercloud]

Umpqua,

I believe you have a Parallax 7300 series converter/charger in your camper, which is a single stage charge controller, hence the reason you are burning up your batteries by leaving it plugged in all the time. I replaced my Parallax 7300 series with a nice 3-stage charger/converter from Bestconverter Magnetek/Parallax-6300,7300 Upgrade Kit
I replaced mine within a month of owning the camper and I bought it new. I leave mine plugged in all the time and have the same set of batteries (7 years now)and I have had no problems. A friend of mine upgraded his 2006 Bigfoot 2500 camper with the same charger/converter after he saw mine. Its a pretty easy project with the directions that are on Bestconverter website.

Good Luck

[hedgehopper]

Dave Pete wrote:
A non battery destroyer will be a charger that charges at different rates, down to a trickle for what you're describing you'd like to have. Prices vary by brand and quality, and whether made in USA or China, etc.

A little insight here. Why not WFCO?

I bought a WFCO for my previous camper. It was supposed to be 3 stage. But as far as I could tell, it never went into bulk or maintenance mode.

I recently upgraded the Parallax 6332 in my present camper with a PD4645. It performs as advertised. I am pleased with it.

[Dave_Pete]

A non battery destroyer will be a charger that charges at different rates, down to a trickle for what you're describing you'd like to have. Prices vary by brand and quality, and whether made in USA or China, etc.

A little insight here. Why not WFCO?

[Tamnative]

This is what I used in my 2008 10.4 Bigfoot:http://www.bestconverter.com/4600-series-Upgrade-Kits_c_133.html