| Need input on ordering the right converter! [message #346146] |
Wed, 07 August 2019 07:43  |
6cuda6
Messages: 975
Registered: June 2019
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Ok so as per the last thread its pretty much a given that one state of my converter is pooched....now to order a replacement.
Appon visual confirmation, it is as i suspected.....this converter has 5 glass automotive type fuses built into it, what would be the best thing to do here as i noticed most new converters do not has this.
Would the best way be to simply install the new style converter than wire in a fuse block? Ive yet to see a new converter with a fuse bank.
Also on this coach the shore power plug goes to the 120vac breaker box, then to the converter, then to the coach....is this correct? (Sorry it a Hughes Coach so the GM wiring schematics dont match and im yet to find schems)
Rich Mondor,
Brockville, ON
77 Hughes 2600
[Updated on: Wed, 07 August 2019 07:44] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Need input on ordering the right converter! [message #346148 is a reply to message #346146] |
Wed, 07 August 2019 08:21  |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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6cuda6 wrote on Wed, 07 August 2019 08:43Ok so as per the last thread its pretty much a given that one state of my converter is pooched....now to order a replacement.
Appon visual confirmation, it is as i suspected.....this converter has 5 glass automotive type fuses built into it, what would be the best thing to do here as i noticed most new converters do not has this.
Would the best way be to simply install the new style converter than wire in a fuse block? Ive yet to see a new converter with a fuse bank.
Also on this coach the shore power plug goes to the 120vac breaker box, then to the converter, then to the coach....is this correct? (Sorry it a Hughes Coach so the GM wiring schematics dont match and im yet to find schems)
Rich,
What you have is called a power center. The converter should be on a separate AC circuit and if you are lucky, it is plugged in and can be easily removed.
Several companies can supply a complete replacement that even contain circuits for the 120V side. These are very nice packages. The only supplier that I am personally familiar with is Progressive Dynamics <www.progressivedyn.com>. You can either do a complete rip-out and replace, or just fit in a new converter as a unit. They have both 45 & 60 amp. Unless the converter is close to the house bank, don't bother with the 60 because it will never get there. Even if the house bank is a 4D or a pair of GC2s, unless the copper is there, it will be a lost cause. Stay with the 45.
If you go the PD converter way, get the 92XX version with a pendant. You will be able to see what the unit is doing and even change it if you want to (a rare event).
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] Need input on ordering the right converter! [message #346170 is a reply to message #346169] |
Wed, 07 August 2019 14:59 |
Olly Schmidt
Messages: 1265
Registered: February 2014
Location: Germany and Scottsville, ...
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In Germany I have a victron energy Multiplus which is a combined charger inverter. Very happy with it, as many campgrounds in Europe provide a limit of what you can pull in amperage wise, and the Multiplus can source shore power plus battery power to always be able to run the AC.
In the US I have the 9245, but my caretaker isn't keeping the coach plugged in all the time, or so I think, so my house battery needs replacement every two years.
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P O Schmidt
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Olly Schmidt
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'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
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| Re: Need input on ordering the right converter! [message #346171 is a reply to message #346146] |
Wed, 07 August 2019 15:18 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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I'd rather have the 12V fuse panel separate from the 12V converter. You can remove/ service/ replace the converter and still be fully functional off the house bank charged by the Deloctron
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: Need input on ordering the right converter! [message #346174 is a reply to message #346171] |
Wed, 07 August 2019 16:25 |
6cuda6
Messages: 975
Registered: June 2019
Karma: -6
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JohnL455 wrote on Wed, 07 August 2019 16:18I'd rather have the 12V fuse panel separate from the 12V converter. You can remove/ service/ replace the converter and still be fully functional off the house bank charged by the Deloctron
I think im going this route as i dont want to mess up the door etc to install the new style units.
Rich Mondor,
Brockville, ON
77 Hughes 2600
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| Re: Need input on ordering the right converter! [message #346180 is a reply to message #346177] |
Wed, 07 August 2019 17:13 |
6cuda6
Messages: 975
Registered: June 2019
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kwharland wrote on Wed, 07 August 2019 17:47I have a Progressive Dynamics converter, new in the box that I'm never going to use. I think it's the 9245 and if interested I'll find out what I paid and what I'd like to get for it.
PM me your asking price so i know what your thinking if i decide to venture done that road.
Thanks
Rich Mondor,
Brockville, ON
77 Hughes 2600
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| Re: Need input on ordering the right converter! [message #346185 is a reply to message #346180] |
Wed, 07 August 2019 18:04 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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If you plan to upgrade to Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, you will need a different converter/charger. According to an article in the FMCA mag, Progressive Dynamics is making one for Lithium batteries
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Need input on ordering the right converter! [message #346187 is a reply to message #346185] |
Wed, 07 August 2019 18:18 |
6cuda6
Messages: 975
Registered: June 2019
Karma: -6
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Carl S. wrote on Wed, 07 August 2019 19:04If you plan to upgrade to Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, you will need a different converter/charger. According to an article in the FMCA mag, Progressive Dynamics is making one for Lithium batteries
I play with Lithium high output batteries almost dayly in the vehicles we build....until the on road industry catches up with the radio control industry in terms of size to output ill just be watching on the sidelines.....but thanks for the heads up!
Rich Mondor,
Brockville, ON
77 Hughes 2600
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| Re: Need input on ordering the right converter! [message #346202 is a reply to message #346187] |
Wed, 07 August 2019 19:47 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Sir: I'll try to add to your confusion. Your coach was not outfitted by GM and was called a transmode. Most early transmodes that I have seen had buzz boxes (converters) that had glass fuses inside a panel for the different 12 volt circuits in the coach. In the GM out fitted coaches the buzz box did not have internal glass fuses but instead had an external fuse strip for the different (usually eight) 12volt circuits. I have had very good results out of changing to a 45 amp Progressive Dynamics converter/charger and adding a later automotive type fuse strip. The PD is a smart charger and can be left plugged up all the time without harm to batteries and is available with a charge wizard pendant for $10 for manual control of the 4 different phases of charging. I called PD and at the time they had factory remanufactured units with new warranty for $100. They also have distribution panels. The pic is of a GM outfitted coach for reference.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p66564-e6f9ea87-a803-4da0-ad3d-d925eef16fd2.html
https://www.progressivedyn.com/
6cuda6 wrote on Wed, 07 August 2019 19:18Carl S. wrote on Wed, 07 August 2019 19:04If you plan to upgrade to Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, you will need a different converter/charger. According to an article in the FMCA mag, Progressive Dynamics is making one for Lithium batteries
I play with Lithium high output batteries almost dayly in the vehicles we build....until the on road industry catches up with the radio control industry in terms of size to output ill just be watching on the sidelines.....but thanks for the heads up!
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
[Updated on: Wed, 07 August 2019 19:49] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Need input on ordering the right converter! [message #346208 is a reply to message #346148] |
Thu, 08 August 2019 04:39 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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I second Matt's recommendation. Whatever brand you choose, the must have feature it should have is staged charging or multi-staged charging. With the variable voltage level charging you can more quickly charge your battery(s) to about the 80% level and then the charger reduces the charging voltage level to finish off the charge. After that it switches to maintenance or storage mode and keeps the batteries topped off without over charging and destroying them.
I have a Progressive Dynamics PD9245 that has this feature. I leave it plugged in all of the time it is not on the road. My first set of house batteries lasted 10 years and would have lasted longer except I accidentally broke a post trying to disconnect a cable to clean it. Look at page three here for more information:
https://www.progressivedyn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/109821F-english.pdf
There are other brands that work similar to this one, but I am not familiar with them. So I do not recommend them.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Need input on ordering the right converter! [message #346219 is a reply to message #346146] |
Thu, 08 August 2019 08:27 |
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RF_Burns
Messages: 2277
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
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Ok, I'll throw my 2 cents in here too. I was in the 2-way radio business for 40 years and had many back-up battery systems for remote towers and base stations (mainly volunteer Fire Departments). We had expensive charging systems designed and spec'd for remote towers which had high failure rates. The brand which never gave us problems was Samlex. This stuff ran 24/7 at sites with 300-700 ft towers which got struck by lightning regularly.
Anyway, in the coach I run an all electric apartment size fridge from a Samlex 1500 watt pure sine wave inverter while on the road or not connected to shore power. The batteries are charged from a Samlex multi-stage charger.
I just upgraded to a Samlex EVO-1212 all in one charger/ sine wave inverter with built-in transfer switch. It is programmable with multiple charging methods 2,3 or 4 stage, also charges LiFePO4 batteries. It has a solar charger input for coordinating charging between solar and shore-power. Remote display shows everything from shoreline input voltage and frequency to internal temperatures. It even has a SD card slot for event recording. The inverter syncs to the power line so that the transfer switch occurs at zero crossing of the power sine wave.
We just came back from a 3 week, 3,000 mile trip and it worked great. My wife loves the auto-transfer switch since we no longer need to do this manually to keep the fridge powered.
The only issue is the remote display does not dim and so lights the front of the coach with a nice blue hue.
Mine is 1200watt (inverter) but models up to 4kw are available.
https://www.samlexamerica.com/documents/product-specs/Samlex-EVO-1212F-1224F-Features%20and%20Spec%20Sheet-0118.pdf
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
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