Replacing my Univolt in my 1965 Caravel

toastie · 09-07-2006, 04:51 PM

and would like to know what would be a good brand to go with, and the size that I would need........thanks for you time

Streamin 65 · 09-07-2006, 05:12 PM

I put a 45 amp intellipower in our '65 Overlander and it has been just great. I got it new from Ebay for about $110 delivered in an OEM box, and it did come with the charge wizard and instructions. Easy to hook up and does not buzzzzzzzz like the old Univolt. Not to mention it's about 40 lbs. lighter. So far, it has kept the batteries charged and has ample power to run all the 12v stuff without any problems whatsoever. Highly recommended. --dave

**Pick** · 09-07-2006, 05:34 PM

Ditto on the Intellipower 9100, with Charge Wizard. Wish I had done this a couple of years ago. Before my nice Trojan battery had it's brains boiled out twice by the Univolt.

Melody Ranch · 09-07-2006, 05:40 PM

Probably wont help with all the advice going on....but, I went with WFCO and Lifeline battery. Stayed away from the 9200 intellipower on advice from service facility.

Love them Caravels!!!

toastie · 09-07-2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streamin 65

I put a 45 amp intellipower in our '65 Overlander and it has been just great. I got it new from Ebay for about $110 delivered in an OEM box, and it did come with the charge wizard and instructions. Easy to hook up and does not buzzzzzzzz like the old Univolt. Not to mention it's about 40 lbs. lighter. So far, it has kept the batteries charged and has ample power to run all the 12v stuff without any problems whatsoever. Highly recommended. --dave

When hook-up to shore power I hear no buzzzzzzzz from my univolt.........

Stan Z · 09-07-2006, 08:31 PM

toastie,

Mine never hummed either, but it also didn't charge the battery. If found an explanation somewhere on these forums (try the search function) that some Caravels just had a "univolt" labelled switch box but no charger. If your Caravel is like mine it has a "univolt" switch box under the side gaucho and a transformer box just to the rear of the wheel well. The transformer changes 110v to 12v when you are plugged in.

I was just pulling the battery out and using a car charger to charge up the battery before a trip. Then I got a Intellipower with charge wizard. It charges the battery anytime the trailer is plugged into shore power. I am very happy with the set up.

toastie · 09-12-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan Z

toastie,

Mine never hummed either, but it also didn't charge the battery. If found an explanation somewhere on these forums (try the search function) that some Caravels just had a "univolt" labelled switch box but no charger. If your Caravel is like mine it has a "univolt" switch box under the side gaucho and a transformer box just to the rear of the wheel well. The transformer changes 110v to 12v when you are plugged in.

I was just pulling the battery out and using a car charger to charge up the battery before a trip. Then I got a Intellipower with charge wizard. It charges the battery anytime the trailer is plugged into shore power. I am very happy with the set up.

I looking at buying Inteli-Power 9245C Converter/Charger with Charge Wizard 45 Amp,725 Watts, Dimensions 4.5"H x 8.25"L x 7.25W". Input: 120 VAC Nominal, 50/60 Hz. Output: 13.6 VDC Nominal. Is this large enough for a 1965 Caravel or should I go larger

cosmo9404 · 04-29-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan Z

toastie,

Mine never hummed either, but it also didn't charge the battery. If found an explanation somewhere on these forums (try the search function) that some Caravels just had a "univolt" labelled switch box but no charger. If your Caravel is like mine it has a "univolt" switch box under the side gaucho and a transformer box just to the rear of the wheel well. The transformer changes 110v to 12v when you are plugged in.

I was just pulling the battery out and using a car charger to charge up the battery before a trip. Then I got a Intellipower with charge wizard. It charges the battery anytime the trailer is plugged into shore power. I am very happy with the set up.

Stan, where did you install the Intellipower? Did you pull the transformer, use the 110V AC input, and use the 19VAC and 12VAC as the Intellipower output?

Thanks, Cosmo9404

Smokin Camel · 04-29-2008, 05:51 PM

My 2 cents--I ordered a 55 amp WFCO from Randy (Best Converter) and have been very happy with it.

Lothlorian · 04-29-2008, 07:08 PM

I have a 30 amp trailer so I bought a 30 amp converter. I was patient and took my time shopping. I bought mine off the Internet new and got it for under 100 dollars. Everything I have read says go with a converter that reflects the amps your trailer uses. If you have a 30 amp wired trailer get a 30 amp converter.

SIU Bound

Brian

Toldfield · 04-29-2008, 07:55 PM

I put a 45 amp Intelli-Power in a couple of weeks ago. I purchased it from Progressive Dynamics, Hot Deals- RV Power Converters and Marine Battery Chargers for sale. They have factory refurbished ones for about $159 with a warranty. It arrived in a couple of days with no hassles. The area where the old transformer lived was pretty small and had no ventilation so I installed it on the vertical panel forward of the battery. I wired into the original factory rats nest fuse/distribution setup and will replace that mess in the next couple of weeks. A day after I completed the job we went up north of Santa Barbara for three days and were amazed to find electrical hookups in a county park campground. It worked just great. The battery was kept fully charged, we had more electrictiy than needed, and it was quiet. I think the trash guy got a hernia when he lifted the can with the old Univolt.

Tom