RE: New Converter Reccomendations

[ForestCreature]

 
Our converter has been acting up for the better part of a year and we feel it is time to replace it. Anyone have any reccomendations on what to replace it with?
 We d like one that has a built in charger  that will not over charge (if there is such a thing. We are replacing a Centurian 3000.

[Cadeuses]

 ForestCreature
ForestCreature;
 
 Have you checked out the warranty on your PU?   My thoughts would be that you " may"  still be within the warranty time frame.  If nothing else, take your issues to the dealer, and explain the problem.  They may have had several problems with the unit you have, or the way in which it was installed.
 
 Secondly... and I just know others with more expertise than me will chime in here too... DON T rely on the converter to charge your batteries on the PU.  A better solution is to remove your batteries and charge them using a separate (GOOD deep cycle) charger while at home.
 
 Good luck with the warranty check.  I sure HTH, and have yourself a great day!

[ForestCreature]

 ForestCreature
I guess we could look into  issues with that converter, it couldn t hurt. Thanks for that suggestion.
 
 We don t rely on the converter for charging. At home we remove the battery and charge with a charger. My concern would be overcharging while on the road since we charge with solar while camping, we often hit the road with  close to a full battery while changing location or heading home.

[George]

 Cadeuses
Secondly... and I just know others with more expertise than me will chime in here too... DON T rely on the converter to charge your batteries on the PU.  A better solution is to remove your batteries and charge them using a separate (GOOD deep cycle) charger while at home.
 
 May I ask why?
 
 -George
 

[mike4947]

 ForestCreature
Mainly because the converter is designed (no matter what advertising says about charging) to POWER 12 volt aplications. It s voltage output is apx 12.8-13.2 voltsDC. This isn t enough voltage to fully charge a normal 12 volt battery.
 
 Here s a few pages to read and learn all about 12 volt systems and batteries.
 
 http://bart.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm
 http://bart.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volta.htm
 http://www.dcbattery.com/faq.html#1

[ForestCreature]

 ForestCreature
Well, It sure is nice having a son who can fix stuff!
 He is a mechanic who actually likes diagnosing elecrtrical problems. He found the fuse block to be bad and replaced that, we now have 12v power again. And also the main power  supply cord has a break in it someplace, no power getting to the converter. So off to buy a  new power cord today. While he was in there poking around he added a disconnect switch for the battery and ran a line for a 12v plug (just need to buy one)
 Sure beats the price of a new converter.

[Kelly]

 ForestCreature
[font=" comic sans ms" ]Marcy ~
 
 I hope my ds grows up to be just like yours!  []  I just knew that boy had potential!  LOL ~ glad you got it all straightened out!!
 [/font]

[Goldbender]

 ForestCreature
Hello Forest,  I know that you use solar, like I do so why don t you keep charged up using your panel? I have not used my converter for over 2 years.  I keep my solar panel out in the backyard with the cord always pluged into my 2 batteries that are always on the trailer. Most of the time the controller shows that the panel is keeping the batteries fully charged at the float charge level., ready to go for the next trip.  No need to plug in a relitively enefeicent controller when I can get " free"  power from the sun.  Of course if you are needing the converter while at a full hook up site that is different.

[ForestCreature]

 ForestCreature
I plug in at home to precool the fridge on ele,and run the AC on occasion seeing as it rarely gets used camping (the battery is off, we have it on a switch now, Before we used to just disconnect.) we do not charge the battery with the converter. At home we use a Battery Charger.
 
 The fuse panel was bad and not allowing any 12 volt power to get to anything, even using the Solar we had no power, full battery but no power. No power, no flush on the cassette potty []  We generally take the Solar with even if we are going to be plugged in (which is rare), just in case there is an outage.
 
 As far as leaving it out in the yard. We live just outside of Detroit, the camper is next to the house and leaving the panels out front where it s sunny for the world to see while no one is home I m not comfortable with. I have nt had things turn up missing but why start with the Solar.