Upgrade of Converter November 03, 2022, 05:57:25 pm Hi Warren, (WhiteElk); I replaced my old Magnatek 6345 converter with a Progressive Dynamics PD 4655VL in 2019. I got it installed in 2020. It worked well with my then 6V deep cycle batteries. (I kept them and charge them with my old converter). In 2021 I upgraded my batteries to LiFePO4 and changed the jumper on the PD4655 to enable the Lithium charge profile of the new converter. Before that the converter did the 3 stage charging as expected. Bulk a heavy initial charge rate, then Absorption to slow down the charge. The last stage, Float, would charge and after a few hours drop to 13.2 volts. I used the fourth stage a few times to equalize my wet LA batteries, to ensure that it worked. But I started that intentionally, only when i was there to watch it. With the LiF batteries that all is disabled. When I did plug in shore power at a local Caravan Club hookup site the PD converter did apply about 55 Amps of charging for a few minutes. I haven't gotten around to hooking up my DC/DC charge from the alternator yet, and the solar has been there all along. The PD converter PD 4655VL 55 Amp Converter Upgrade, Optional Remote Pendant will upgrade a Parallax 7345, and a WFCO 8945 also, It seems to be available. With ready access to the converter I didn't get the remote pendant. I think that would only be a 'feature' if the converter was in an SOB under the bed or somewhere else inconvenient. Fan noise is very slight and only comes on when components are hot and need cooling. RonB Edited to correct my '9655' that should have been '4655'. Thanks Warren
Re: Upgrade of Converter Reply #1 – November 04, 2022, 04:22:02 pm Quote from: RonB - November 03, 2022, 05:57:25 pmI replaced my old Magnatek 6345 converter with a Progressive Dynamics PD 4655VL in 2019. I got it installed in 2020. In 2021 I upgraded my batteries to LiFePO4 and changed the jumper on the PD4655 to enable the Lithium charge profile of the new converter. The PD converter PD 4655VL 55 Amp Converter Upgrade, Optional Remote Pendant will upgrade a Parallax 7345, and a WFCO 8945 also, It seems to be available. When upgrading to lithium batteries, stick with a 55-amp charger to enable charging on a 20-amp circuit.Our LD's PD9270 charger works fine with lithium, it's on Battleborn's acceptable list. When charging a drained lithium battery, it charges at 65-amps...good but it also draws 25-amp of 120-VAC, more than what a normal 20-amp house circuit can provide.It's fine on a 30-amp circuit.Larry
Re: Upgrade of Converter Reply #2 – December 11, 2022, 02:21:13 pm Thanks Ron and Larry, and sorry for the late reply. It’s been a busy November/December and I’m just getting around to planning and purchasing components for this project. I have a couple of further questions for you fellows, or anyone else that has replaced their Parallax converter with a Progressive Dynamics 4655.1) From Best Converter’s website, it is clear that the PD4655VL has a jumper to configure charge profile for lead acid vs lithium battery. Does anyone know whether the PD4655V has this jumper? Pricing is better on the V model, for some reason.2) For those that replaced the OEM Parallax with the Progressive Dynamics DC circuit board (rationale why this is important is explained here: Converter replacement), have others encountered the wiring challenges encountered by Ken Warner? If so, might you describe your solution and, if available, share photos?Many thanks,Warren
Re: Upgrade of Converter Reply #3 – December 11, 2022, 05:46:01 pm Hi Warren,The PD4655V does not have the Lithium jumper on it. I just upgraded my Parallax 8355 with the PD4655VL. You do not need to install their DC board and can leave your board in ( I assume you are replacing a Parallax 8355 since our LD's are both 2019). This is what "Best Converter" states on their website:The functionality that you would loose by not using there DC board is that you would not have the built in "Wizard Mode Button" and mode of operation light. They do offer a remote pendant for $15.00 that will replicate these functions. I purchased it and mounted it below the DC fuse board (has adhesive foam on the back) and plugged into the converter board. The first pic is the pendant they offer from their website. The second is a pic of where I mounted it. Note the label on the front of the pendant that they show on their website is different from the one you get. The 3rd pic shows the pendant connector plugged into the converter board. The converter is easily replaced with only 5 wires of ample length to hookup.Kendall 1 Likes
Re: Upgrade of Converter Reply #4 – December 11, 2022, 09:41:35 pm Thanks for the reply and photos, Kendall. The idea of using the pendant, mounted inside the power center, is appealing as it avoids the wiring challenges referenced previously. Are you using the OEM (LifeLIne) AGM batteries? If so, have you confirmed that the PD4655VL is charging according to the three stage charging algorithm described on PD’s & Best Converter’s websites? I ask because some have suggested that the Progressive Dynamics DC circuit board supplied with the PD4655 is required to deliver the three stage charging.Thanks again!W
Re: Upgrade of Converter Reply #5 – December 12, 2022, 11:33:29 am Further to the question: Which model Progressive Dynamics converter-charger for those wishing to upgrade their OEM Parallax 8355 converter….I spoke with a Progressive Dynamics engineer this morning and he shared the following:The Progressive Dynamics PD 4655V directly replaces the Parallax OEM 8355Progressive Dynamics manufactures only a single PD4655V device. Best Converter’s owner stated that he left the PD4655VL model number on his website to reassure customers of the devices suitability for use with lithium batteries. The V and VL are the same product.PD’s Charge Wizard functionality is built into main circuit board - not the DC fuse board. PD states that the OEM Parallax 8355 DC fuse board is functionally equivalent to the PD board, except that the PD board has a button and LED display added to enable manual control of the “Charge Wizard”, ie; charging mode. Manually controlling the PD4655’s charging mode is enabled via either installing the PD DC fuse board and using the manual charge mode selector button/LED or by leaving the Parallax DC fuse board in place and instead installing and using the optional “Wild Cat” dongle to manually control charge mode (as Kendall describes, earlier in this thread).PD’s engineer offered that manual charge mode selection feature is useful in circumstances where one wishes to rapidly charge batteries, eg; from generator in a shady environment, or when placing charger into low voltage charge/maintenance mode, eg; when solar charging is active. Hope this helps others considering how to upgrade their Parallax 8300 series charger/converter…Warren 1 Likes
Re: Upgrade of Converter Reply #6 – December 12, 2022, 11:47:50 am I definitely recommend getting the “Wild Cat” dongle and mounting it where you can easily see and access the button.When using the generator to charge the battery, sometime the converter will not go into 'full charge' mode, pushing the button forces it into a high charge rate. If the button is located inside the Power Center, it will be out of sight and not used.The button is illuminated and shows what state the converter is in by either flashing or being on continuously.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Upgrade of Converter Reply #7 – December 12, 2022, 12:38:31 pm Quote from: Larry W - November 04, 2022, 04:22:02 pmOur LD's PD9270 charger works fine with lithium, it's on Battleborn's acceptable list. When charging a drained lithium battery, it charges at 65-amps...good but it also draws 25-amp of 120-VAC, more than what a normal 20-amp house circuit can provide.It's fine on a 30-amp circuit.Larry, I'm wondering what else is active to draw the 25A? At 100% efficiency, 65X12/120=6.5Amps, so given some slack, hard to believe just charging at the rate should draw more than say 8 Amps at 120VAC?Steve
Re: Upgrade of Converter Reply #8 – December 12, 2022, 02:33:45 pm Quote from: WhiteElk - December 11, 2022, 09:41:35 pmThanks for the reply and photos, Kendall. The idea of using the pendant, mounted inside the power center, is appealing as it avoids the wiring challenges referenced previously. Are you using the OEM (LifeLIne) AGM batteries? If so, have you confirmed that the PD4655VL is charging according to the three stage charging algorithm described on PD’s & Best Converter’s websites? I ask because some have suggested that the Progressive Dynamics DC circuit board supplied with the PD4655 is required to deliver the three stage charging.Thanks again!WHi Warren,Sorry for the late response - have been shoveling snow this morning here in Strawberry, AZ. I do have the original AGM batteries that LD installed. With the remote pendant attached and charging for the first time it started out in the normal mode and my battery monitor indicated 98% charged and the voltage was 13.6VDC (Normal Mode). Later on in the day I looked and the battery monitor indicated 100% @ 13.2VDC (Storage Mode) where it remains today. Later on today I will take the battery below 90% to insure that the charger goes into the "Boost Mode" @ 14.4VDC. I checked the circuitry on both their DC board and the pendant and found that they operate the same. Both have a normally open pushbutton switch along with a L.E.D. indicator lamp. The pushbutton switch is used to select the different charging modes and the indicator lamp shows what mode you are in. Below is a description of the Charge Wizard: Kendall 2 Likes
Re: Upgrade of Converter Reply #9 – December 12, 2022, 05:14:27 pm Thanks all who contributed to this discussion. I purchased the PD4655VL with the PD92201 dongle, from Best Converter. While their prices are the same as eTrailer, Best Coverter did charge me $25 for shipping (eTrailer doesn’t charge shipping for purchases over $100). I rationalized the added expense as acceptable given Best Converter’s more knowledgeable customer support in the RV Electrical Space. W 1 Likes
Re: Upgrade of Converter Reply #10 – January 20, 2023, 09:31:44 pm This is an update following my installation of a Progressive Dynamics PD4655VL, as mentioned above. As did Kendall (Rimrider), I chose to leave the OEM DC Fuseboard in place, relying for the three-stage charge control on Progressive Dynamics’ optional, “Wild Cat” dongle ($15 from Best Converter), which I mounted just above and outside of the power center. I elected to use the existing DC fuse board partly because it was less work than disconnecting and reconnecting the numerous 12volt device wires. More importantly, the wire clamps on the OEM DC fuse board were larger and sturdier than those on the Progressive Dynamics board. And, the OEM board was hence able to better accommodate (without breaking wire strands or necessitating soldering-up a narrower gauge lead), some of the larger 12v wires used by Lazy Daze.I completed the job in a little over an hour and, like Kendall, found that the PD4655 performs as designed delivering three stage charging that I hope will lengthen the life of my nearly new (replaced by LifeLine under warranty) AGM batteries. Thanks again for the support and encouragement to those that joined this thread!Warren 3 Likes
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