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Topic: Converter/Charger Upgrade and Surge Protector Install (Read 25 times) previous topic - next topic
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Converter/Charger Upgrade and Surge Protector Install
Yahoo Message Number: 106216
This is another of my posts in the category of "if I can succeed at this, then anyone can do it."   This afternoon I completed the installation of a hard-wired surge protector and replaced the old single-stage Parallax charger/converter with a Progressive Dynamics
3-stage charger/converter.

The charger upgrade was pretty simple - pretty much a drop-in replacement.  One only needs to disconnect some wires, make the swap, and re-connect a few wires.
 The surge protector was a bit more of a challenge, for I wired it so that it provides protection for both shore power and when on the generator.  It was also a challenge to figure out how to mount it so I could see the indicator lights if necessary.
 I had the help of some excellent, complete instructions for the surge protector provided by Larry W, who had recently done a similar installation for someone.   Larry's last line of instruction was "plug it in.  If no smoke, you're done!"
 I'm happy to report that I had no smoke.  So there ya go....anyone can do it!  I've posted some pix at Toad Hall.
http://wxtoad.com/index.asp?page=mainframe.htm>

Ted H.
'05 RB  NE-12

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Re: Converter/Charger Upgrade and Surge Protector Install
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106217
"I'm happy to report that I had no smoke. So there ya go"

Ted

Congratulations on a smokeless installation.
 The hardest part of repairing burned electrical is getting the smoke back into the wires.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Converter/Charger Upgrade and Surge Protector Install
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106226
I also meant to mention that if anyone has need of a single-stage Parallax/Magnetek 7345 converter/charger unit, they can have my old one for the cost of shipping.

Ted H.

This afternoon I completed the installation of a hard-wired surge protector and replaced the old single-stage Parallax charger/converter with a Progressive Dynamics
3-stage charger/converter..

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Re: Converter/Charger Upgrade and Surge Protector Install
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106233
Hi Ted,
 Read your posting and went to your site to view the pics of installing your new Progressive Dynamics Converter Upgrade, the same one I am about to do... Changing out my old Magnatek with a 45 amp unit.
 I'm curious how long it took you to do it? I plan on doing the switch over myself and am estimating 2, possibly 3 hours at most? Am I
Rockin' and Rollin' in Albuquerque
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106235
Hello from the land of wild winds. From breezes earlier this week we have a full blown gale with serious looking rain clouds descending from the North this morning and afternoon.

Fiesta bound people be warned...

Anne Johnson where Lovely La Verne, CA is looking lovelier by the minute
Re: Rockin' and Rollin' in Albuquerque
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106237
"Fiesta bound people be warned..."

Anne

Sounds like typical Balloon Festival weather.
Hang on and have fun. When the weather is right and the balloons fly, it's worth the effort.
Say hi to the gang.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Converter/Charger Upgrade and Surge Protector Install
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106239
Quote
"I'm happy to report that I had no smoke... I've posted some pix at Toad Hall.

Ted H.
Ted
 I'm glad you "had no smoke" but are you sure everything is as it should be?
 I had the same converter installed in my '04 30IB. My fuse positions and capacities do not correspond to yours as seen on your web-site. Whether that is by design or mistake I cannot say.
 If you have the owners manual for your rig you might want to take a look at the diagram that shows the fuse numbers vs. their functions. Then, with all circuits active, pull each fuse in turn and confirm that it does, in fact, disable that particular circuit. I wouldn't be surprised if you find some discrepancies. A report back might be helpful.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Converter/Charger Upgrade and Surge Protector Install
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106240
"Then, with all circuits active, pull each fuse in turn and confirm that it does, in fact, disable that particular circuit. I wouldn't be surprised if you find some discrepancies"

Steve S.
 I recently worked on a 2005 MB. Many of the fuses were not labeled correctly. Either the Factory's electrician wired it wrong or the wrong descriptive label(another floor plan maybe?) was attached to converter's door.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Converter/Charger Upgrade and Surge Protector Install
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106246
Ed,

I'd say your time estimate is pretty good - it may not even take that long.  I'm not exactly sure how long it took me, as I was also simultaneously adding the surge protector.  I spent the better part of two days on the total project, but a lot of that was simply mounting the surge protector.  Probably the hardest part is installing the new 12V panel that PDI includes.  As usual, LD doesn't leave you much wire slack to work with and trying to get the heavier battery wires connected in the proper place takes some struggling.   Good luck and let us know how it goes,

Ted H.

'

Read your posting and went to your site to view the pics of installing your new Progressive Dynamics Converter Upgrade, the same one I am about to do...
Changing out my old Magnatek with a 45 amp unit.
 I'm curious how long it took you to do it? I plan on doing the switch over myself and am estimating 2, possibly 3 hours at most? Am I in the ball park???

Thanks,

Ed Klaus 94' LD MB

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Re: Converter/Charger Upgrade and Surge Protector Install
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106247
Hi, Steve,

The 12V panel shown in my pix is the new PDI panel, not the original that came with the old 7345.  I did check each circuit and they work as they should and have the proper fuse capacities.  Also, the new PDI panel has three more fuse positions than the former 7345 panel.  Thanks for your cautionary note, though.

Ted H.
 I'm glad you "had no smoke" but are you sure everything is as it should be?
 I had the same converter installed in my '04 30IB. My fuse positions and capacities do not correspond to yours as seen on your web-site. Whether that is by design or mistake I cannot say.
 If you have the owners manual for your rig you might want to take a look at the diagram that shows the fuse numbers vs. their functions. Then, with all circuits active, pull each fuse in turn and confirm that it does, in fact, disable that particular circuit. I wouldn't be surprised if you find some discrepancies. A report back might be helpful.

Steve S..

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Re: Converter/Charger Upgrade and Surge Protector Install
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106250
I sometimes wonder at the value of a three stage converter considering house batteries are "abused" hour after hour by the alternator, perhaps at 14v or more with batteries already in float stage.

best, paul

"Thriving not surviving" - Paul Schaye (at 2008 NYC Marathon) - See our website at www. LazyDazers.com
Re: Converter/Charger Upgrade and Surge Protector Install
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106251
Quote
I sometimes wonder at the value of a three stage converter considering house batteries are "abused" hour after hour by the alternator, perhaps at 14v or more with batteries already in float stage.
Well for us, the engine only runs on average 3-4 hours per 24 hour day when we are travelling.  When we are home, the rig is usually plugged in 24x7.  With our old Magnetek converter, we'd have to check batteries frequently and add always add water.  After installing a PD 9270, I only check the water every couple of months, and usually only need to add a couple ounces of water.

Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: Converter/Charger Upgrade
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106253
"I sometimes wonder at the value of a three stage converter considering house batteries are 'abused' hour after hour by the alternator"
 Good point. I think Art's answer holds the key: most of us spend a lot more time parked than driving, and that's when the more sophisticated converter/charger comes into its own.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Converter/Charger Upgrade
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106266
I am not sure what you mean by the alternator abusing the house batteries hour after hour. Alternators have a voltage regulator built in to them that controls the charge rate of the batteries. Perhaps your regulator is bad or you may want to add a sophisticated external adjustable multi stage voltage regulator to your alternator. If excessive water usage is of concern, look into "Hydrocaps". These are replacement battery caps that contain a proprietary platinum based catalyst that assists in the recombination of the hydrogen and oxygen gas back into pure water. I used them successfully for over 8 years on my sailing yacht's house battery bank of 14 each  12 V deep cycle batteries for many years. They cut my distilled water consumption down by 90+ %. FYI distilled water is extremely difficult if not impossible to buy in 3rd world countries including most of Mexico. The Hydrocaps were not cheap (about $10 each) but cost less than replacing batteries damaged by insufficient cell water.
   To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com
 From:
 Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:13:40 +0000
 Subject: [LD] Re: Converter/Charger Upgrade

"I sometimes wonder at the value of a three stage converter considering house batteries are 'abused' hour after hour by the alternator"
 Good point. I think Art's answer holds the key: most of us spend a lot more time parked than driving, and that's when the more sophisticated converter/charger comes into its own.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/

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Re: Converter/Charger Upgrade
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106270
My question assumed the alternator was charging at 14v or so. What voltage do you see?

I don't have a problem with my house batteries because I have two Lifeline 8D AGM's (510ah) under a dinette seat (next to an empty battery compartment in a RB).

Lifeline tells me they have their AGM's in semi's being overcharged hour after hour day after day and they are lasting over three years.
With this history, and how little we drive these days, they'll bury me before they bury the Lifelines.
 In a previous RV I had 3 8D Lifelines and they were charged hour after hour at 14+ while driving and were fine after 4 years. (Float is 13.2v by the way.)
 So the question is, What voltage do you see your alternator charging at as you go down the road in the morning, and is this after boondocking, or connected to 30amp pedestal all night or more, or what?

best, paul

"Thriving not surviving" - Paul Schaye (at 2008 NYC Marathon) - See our website at www. LazyDazers.com