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06-18-2018, 10:52 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
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Did I undersize my converter
Hi,
On Randy from Best convertors recommendation I purchased a Boondockers BD 1260C 60 amp 4 stage convertor. I gave him the details of my existing one and he said it was the best match.
Should I have gone for a 80amp or 100amp one?
I have been told that for 80amp or 100amp my cabling may not be sufficient.
Coach is a 2008 Itsasca Latitude. Battery banks is 440 Ah Lifeline AGM's
__________________
2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
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06-18-2018, 06:22 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
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What do folk think?
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2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
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06-18-2018, 06:37 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,091
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With the 60 amp converter , it will take about 4 hrs to fully charge your battery bank from 50% discharged. A 100 amp unit will charge the bank in about 2.5 hrs. If you do a lot of boondocking , and want to minimize your generator run time than a 100 amp converter is better . If you are plugged into utility power , then the 60 amp unit will be just fine. The 100 amp converter should have at least #4 wire.
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1993 Tiffin Allegro Bay 32'
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06-18-2018, 06:55 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 107
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There’s max charge rate that a given battery bank can accept, just like discharge. I upgraded from a 55w to a 70w and couldn’t be happier.
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2018 Thor Challenger 37KT
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06-18-2018, 07:13 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
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2.5 hrs vs 4 hrs would be great.
I don't boondock a lot but may do so at a later date.
I don't have power easily accessible power at my stoarge bay so returning with fully charged batteries would be great.
I have no idea what AWG the cable is. I will call Winnebago and ask.
I wonder why I was not recommended a more poweful unit.
__________________
2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
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06-18-2018, 07:30 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Solo Rvers Club
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,831
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Recharging batteries on generator faster is the primary benefit of the bigger converter charger. There is a upper limit to how fast you can safely charge batteries - Amp-Hours at 20 hour rate divided by 3. Personally I have 4 Golf Cart Batteries for 400 Amp-Hours and use a 100 Amp max output converter-charger.
One consideration is the higher AC watts the converter charger can and will draw when batteries are below 80 % and the charger is in bulk mode. My 100 Amp max output charger will draw as much as 1100 watts AC in this situation. Since my RV only has 30 amp service, I have to take the converter drawing 1100 watts at times into account when putting other loads on.
Note that the faster charging time due to the converter charger putting out more amps is only the time it takes to get the batteries charged back to 80%, once the batteries reach 80% the converter-charger drops back topping charge mode and drives less amps into the batteries.
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Randy - Manhattan, Kansas
2015 Vista 27N
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
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06-18-2018, 07:34 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 107
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True, my converter used to blow it own fuses because it would want to charge at such a high rate after a long weekend...
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2018 Thor Challenger 37KT
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06-18-2018, 07:43 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
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Thanks both,
Thats very interesting about the 80% figure and bulk mode.
My energy audit showed at most an overnight useage of 125 amps or 70%, thats starting at 8pm with 100% charged batteries and firing up the generator at 8am.
Where the big advantage with the 100amp one is I let the batteries get to 50% but I should not try to get in to that habit.
Its a bit of a moot point until I can find out the cable awg.
My coach is a 50amp one with a 5.5kw Onan up front.
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2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
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06-18-2018, 07:51 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
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The reason for the thread is because I spoke to Lifeline and they said a higher capacity convertor would be better.
So the 100amp model is 60$ more expensive and I already paid 15$ shipping and will have to pay the same to send it back, and another 15$ to send a new one.
So is a 100amp worth an extra 90$?
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2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
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06-18-2018, 08:06 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 237
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If you shorten your genset run time by 1.5 hours each time you charge from 50%, your generator burns .9 gph according to Onan, and this week's national average gas price is $2.90, you would make back the $90 after 23 recharge cycles from 50% state of charge.
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2008 Gulf Stream Yellowstone 40UL
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06-18-2018, 08:26 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
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Ah now thats a great answer.
I am just a bit bummed I was not recommend tye higher capacity one. I told Randy I was looking for a decent bank.
Anyway got to figure out my cable size first :-)
__________________
2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
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06-18-2018, 08:38 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
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Mark to the rescue again qith drawings :-)
I will check them out in the morning when I get my laptop on.
Thank you sir.
__________________
2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
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06-18-2018, 08:50 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,317
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Buy a stand alone converter that can be installed near the batteries and wired directly to the battery bank with the proper cables. It doesn't need to be in the fuse panel.
IOTA makes a nice 90 amp 4 stage converter. Your AGM batteries can take the 90 amps and more. Power Max may make one also.
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