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Post Info TOPIC: New Batteries and Converter Question


RV-Dreams Family Member

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New Batteries and Converter Question


Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve had power outages at three different campgrounds.  The first outage lasted about 36 hours, while the other outages were much shorter.  When the power went out (36 hours) we were without a generator for 18 hours.  Once we got a generator, we ran it until the power came back on.  Once the power came back on, our batteries were reading low, so we used a charger.

After that first outage our hydraulic system was not able to operate the landing gear or slides.  So now we’ve decided to replace our current marine batteries with Lifeline deep cycle AGM batteries.

After reading previous threads here and on the Heartland forum, it seems as though others have upgraded from a Progressive Dynamics Converter (our current converter) to a Xantrex True Charge product.

My question is - is replacing a converter something that I can do myself? Is there anything different about installing a Xantrex as opposed to the Progressive? I’m fairly handy, but I don’t want to mess it up.

Thanks,

Frank



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Barb and Frank

2016 Landmark Key West

2016 Ram 3500/Cummins Diesel/4WD



RV-Dreams Family Member

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I suggest an energy survey to determine how many amp hours you need for a 24 to 36 (?) hour power failure, and solar panels and controller could “save the day.” Generators conk out. Solar rarely misfires.

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Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Sorry. Yes! A handy person can replace their converter.

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Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Barb and Frank wrote:

My question is - is replacing a converter something that I can do myself? Is there anything different about installing a Xantrex as opposed to the Progressive? I’m fairly handy, but I don’t want to mess it up.


Thanks,

Frank


 Yes, a simple process.  However, one does need, assuming a quality charger that has the appropriate settings, to set it for the type of batteries you have, etc..  That is, lead acid, AGM, etc.  Depending on the level (quality / capability) of the product, not the brand, the manual should give you the appropriate settings depending on the type of batteries, etc.  That said, almost anyone can read the manual and half the time if you go to an RV shop, including a rig OEM at the factory, they don't set them correctly.  They just plug 'em in and go with the charger factory defaults which are many times wrong. ("Ask me how I know this.")  Don't know how many times I've had to re-set them for people when asked.  (Can't do it by email.  Read the book.  :) )

My 2 cents.

Bill

 



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Bill & Linda



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Date:

Bill and Linda wrote:
Barb and Frank wrote:

My question is - is replacing a converter something that I can do myself? Is there anything different about installing a Xantrex as opposed to the Progressive? I’m fairly handy, but I don’t want to mess it up.


Thanks,

Frank


 Yes, a simple process.  However, one does need, assuming a quality charger that has the appropriate settings, to set it for the type of batteries you have, etc..  That is, lead acid, AGM, etc.  Depending on the level (quality / capability) of the product, not the brand, the manual should give you the appropriate settings depending on the type of batteries, etc.  That said, almost anyone can read the manual and half the time if you go to an RV shop, including a rig OEM at the factory, they don't set them correctly.  They just plug 'em in and go with the charger factory defaults which are many times wrong. ("Ask me how I know this.")  Don't know how many times I've had to re-set them for people when asked.  (Can't do it by email.  Read the book.  :) )

My 2 cents.

Bill

 


 Thanks Bill,

 

Frank



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Barb and Frank

2016 Landmark Key West

2016 Ram 3500/Cummins Diesel/4WD

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