Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > MOTORHOME FORUMS > MH-General Discussions & Problems
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-17-2016, 07:47 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
BadBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Posts: 135
Smarter Converter Charger (which one?)

Hey folks,

It appears my 99 Southwind may need a new Converter as I don't think it's ever been replaced and I'm only getting shore power and nothing from the genny. It used to kind of buzz on generator shutdown which has now stopped (leading me to believe this is my problem).

I've been reviewing some video on replacing the converter (thanks RV with Tito) and it looks pretty straight forward.

I'm set on getting the Smart Converter Charger to protect my new (pair of 6-volt batteries). I just don't know which one I should get?

Perhaps it's a dumb question, but do I get the 45, 60, 70 or 80 amp? I'm looking at Progressive Dynamics brand on Amazon. Is one more suited to my setup than the other?

I'll look in the manuals, perhaps it calls for one over the other? Maybe a call to PD wouldn't hurt either?

Thoughts?
__________________
99 Fleetwood Southwind 32V (Class-A)

Prior: 97 Ford Dutchman (31 Ft, Class-C)
BadBoy is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 05-17-2016, 08:19 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,569
Quote:
Originally Posted by BadBoy View Post
Hey folks,

....I just don't know which one I should get?....
The best one of course...... ( I suspect the 60 amp would be great for you )

BestConverter - Converters, Inverters, Electrical Supplies, Electronics


There is warning on their website concerning the purchase of some of the PD converters from different manufacturers.
__________________
1996 Tioga Class C
2007 Monaco Diplomat 40 PDQ
TOAD 2012 Cadillac SRX 4
okcnewbie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2016, 09:07 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
BadBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Posts: 135
Great thank you!

I've been perusing the Electrical Systems sections of irv2 and I think I have learned abit more. It seems most everyone has deferred to the Best Converters shop to upgrade to a Smart Converter which should protect my battery bank investment.

I don't boondock often except maybe overnight at Walmart or Casino on longer road trips.

I DO however plug my shore power line into my inverter so my kids can watch some tv on long trips. I have never made it a practice to shut down my converter though which I have learned creates some sort of loop, which may be the reason why my old house batteries and now converter have suffered? I always just shut down my inverter when firing up my genny.

I'll look into the 60 amp for sure...thanks! 😎

Oh the joys of MH ownership lol.
__________________
99 Fleetwood Southwind 32V (Class-A)

Prior: 97 Ford Dutchman (31 Ft, Class-C)
BadBoy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2016, 09:15 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
I'm a bit confused by your statement " I'm only getting shore power and nothing from the genny. "

The genny should power everything, just like the shore power.

A new 3 stage converter is a great investment but not a cure for it NOT working on generator power.

The "shore power/ generator power" issue is usually a problem with the automatic transfer switch, if you have one.
Some MHs simply plug the shore power cord into a generator outlet in the power cord bay.

On the inverter, yes you must disable the converter to keep it from trying to charge from the batteries that it is running on.

You may also want to force the fridge to run on gas or trip it's breaker when using your inverter.

Gas/electric fridges are power hogs on electric, to the tune of 35 or more amps DC, from your batteries. 4 hours of that and the 2, 6 Volt batteries are ready for recharge.

Hope this helps.
twinboat is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2016, 10:17 AM   #5
Moderator Emeritus
 
Gary RVRoamer's Avatar


 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
What twinboat says. The problem you describe has nothing to do with the converter/charger, but a newer, 3-stage one would be a good investment once you fix the generator problem (which is almost surely the transfer switch).
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
Gary RVRoamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2016, 10:32 AM   #6
Registered User
 
mel s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,777
Quote:
Originally Posted by BadBoy View Post
I'm only getting shore power and nothing from the genny.
Thoughts?
BadBoy
Have you checked the 120V output circuit breakers in the generator itself?
Mel
'96 Safari
mel s is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2016, 01:58 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
BadBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Posts: 135
Gotcha, thank you!

Yes, I checked the breakers and they are good. All fuses are good too. Someone had mentioned that perhaps the contact rings are dirty and to spray some contact cleaner as well which I did.

The genny up until this season would automatically turn on the power when unplugged from shore power. It seems it will click it on "very briefly" (seconds) then click it off again???

As per my inverter issue. I always switch fridge to gas etc beforehand as I realize it's a power hog.

Yes, I think I'm stumped between it being a transfer switch and/or a converter, yet still could be something else. Generator starts & sounds fantastic but isn't generating voltage now for some reason?

Electrical was never my strong point and I suspect a trip to a small engine repair shop may be in my future.
__________________
99 Fleetwood Southwind 32V (Class-A)

Prior: 97 Ford Dutchman (31 Ft, Class-C)
BadBoy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2016, 04:02 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
BadBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Posts: 135
Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByiRV2 - RV Forum1463522296.465136.jpg
Views:	110
Size:	93.3 KB
ID:	127330

So I have checked my voltage going to my converter and its reading 12.45 whether the genny is on OR off (does that seem weird?). I'm not connected to shore power but my battery bank is connected.Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByiRV2 - RV Forum1463522562.812860.jpg
Views:	109
Size:	90.1 KB
ID:	127331

My converter is a Progressive Dynamics Intellipower 9155
Input: 105-130 vac 60 hz, 900 watt
Output: 13.6 vdc, 55 amps
__________________
99 Fleetwood Southwind 32V (Class-A)

Prior: 97 Ford Dutchman (31 Ft, Class-C)
BadBoy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2016, 04:28 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
Your converter is a battery charger/ power supply. The wires you checked go to the battery and carry battery voltage. What you see is normal with the converter off.

If there is power going to the converter, you should see 13.5 or more volts.

If you plug the MH in, you should see 13.5 or more at that test point. Than start the generator, wait a minute, and test it again. You should once again see 13.5 volts

If not, you have a generator output problem or a transfer switch problem.

The auto transfer switch waits for power from the shore cord and the generator.

It normally stays connected to the shore cord.

If it senses generator power it automatically changes to that power, whether it is plugged in or not.

All the circuit breakers are after the transfer switch.
twinboat is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2016, 04:45 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
BadBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Posts: 135
Gotcha, thank you. I did not realize that was the output from the converter. Electronics was never my strong suit.

Lol, I feel like I'm fumbling around in the dark here with a ray of light thanks to irv2 friends.

So I will check that point while connected to shore power. I'll start the genny and wait a minute and see if I'm still getting 13.5 volts. I believe you indicated the transfer switch is "after" this point.

Thanks again!
__________________
99 Fleetwood Southwind 32V (Class-A)

Prior: 97 Ford Dutchman (31 Ft, Class-C)
BadBoy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2016, 05:04 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
Quote:
Originally Posted by BadBoy View Post
Gotcha, thank you. I did not realize that was the output from the converter. Electronics was never my strong suit.

Lol, I feel like I'm fumbling around in the dark here with a ray of light thanks to irv2 friends.

So I will check that point while connected to shore power. I'll start the genny and wait a minute and see if I'm still getting 13.5 volts. I believe you indicated the transfer switch is "after" this point.

Thanks again!
No, the transfer switch is the first thing that "120 volt AC" power goes to. Shore power or generator power.

From there it goes to the breakers. Than a breaker runs the converter, converting 120 volt AC power to 13.5 volt DC power.
twinboat is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2016, 09:04 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
BadBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Posts: 135

Name:   ImageUploadedByiRV2 - RV Forum1463713289.949159.jpg
Views: 252
Size:  79.9 KB

Name:   ImageUploadedByiRV2 - RV Forum1463713300.920697.jpg
Views: 357
Size:  85.2 KB

I'm chatting with a local electrician about my issues and he feels it's most likely my transfer switch as well, although he's not totally familiar with RV type stuff.

If I do need a new Transfer switch, would anyone have any recommendations. Do they change much from 99-2016? Is this found at your local Home Depot?
__________________
99 Fleetwood Southwind 32V (Class-A)

Prior: 97 Ford Dutchman (31 Ft, Class-C)
BadBoy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2016, 09:06 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
BadBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Posts: 135
Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByiRV2 - RV Forum1463713524.735479.jpg
Views:	93
Size:	84.9 KB
ID:	127559Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByiRV2 - RV Forum1463713535.573607.jpg
Views:	101
Size:	85.9 KB
ID:	127560Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByiRV2 - RV Forum1463713548.313050.jpg
Views:	107
Size:	105.0 KB
ID:	127561

Oops, sorry for last poor quality pics!
__________________
99 Fleetwood Southwind 32V (Class-A)

Prior: 97 Ford Dutchman (31 Ft, Class-C)
BadBoy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2016, 02:01 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
DAN L's Avatar
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,976
BADBOY.
you may have dirty Genny slip rings.
I cleaned my slip rings with the inexpensive ''slick stick'' tool from
flightsystems.com
the tool worked well.
__________________
01 WINNEBAGO 35U W20.8.1L 5sp allison SW Wa,. Good Sam, SKP. RVM 198 AMSOIL fluids. BANKS ecm program. SCAN GAUGE II w/ Ally temp. 2 LIFELINE GPL-6CT AGM Batts on their sides. Michelins, TST tptts. K&N panel air filter. AERO mufflers. TAYLOR plug wires. ULTRA POWER track bar. KONI fsd shocks, toad '21MB GLA FWD on dolly
DAN L is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
converter



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Upgrading our converter/charger with a wizard charger Jade Racing Technology: Internet, TV, Satellite, Cell Phones, etc. 3 04-19-2015 07:54 AM
from converter to converter charger Johnnyd111 Vintage RV's 14 08-04-2011 10:33 AM
Smarter than my dog Larry & Rita RV'ing with Pets 7 05-04-2011 09:39 PM
Water Heater AC resolved, and no, I am not smarter than a 5th grader...... SargeW MH-General Discussions & Problems 10 03-30-2009 07:54 PM
Removing the Converter Charger & Installing a 3-Stage Charger Only Klaybus 5th Wheel Discussion 5 03-12-2006 10:06 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:10 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.