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Clozzzer · 06-16-2016, 08:34 PM

I have read lots about the stock power supply charger being extremely harsh on batteries and over charging them. What is the best one to replace the stock model with?

RareStream · 06-16-2016, 08:49 PM

Progressive Dynamics 9280:

http://www.progressivedyn.com/prod_d..._pd9280_2.html

https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-D.../dp/B000GARO80

ghaynes755 · 06-16-2016, 08:54 PM

Good Progressive Dynamics products like the PD-4655. Direct replacement. Slide in and most folks can do it themselves. Better/Best one of the Magnum Inverter/Chargers. Dump the WFCO inverter (if you have one) and get the much better and more powerful Magnum.

Clozzzer · 06-16-2016, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghaynes755

Good Progressive Dynamics products like the PD-4655. Direct replacement. Slide in and most folks can do it themselves. Better/Best one of the Magnum Inverter/Chargers. Dump the WFCO inverter (if you have one) and get the much better and more powerful Magnum.

Which one do you recommend? Victron also looks nice. Money aside, which one to buy?

Clozzzer · 06-16-2016, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghaynes755

Good Progressive Dynamics products like the PD-4655. Direct replacement. Slide in and most folks can do it themselves. Better/Best one of the Magnum Inverter/Chargers. Dump the WFCO inverter (if you have one) and get the much better and more powerful Magnum.

Also, I believe the 4655 is for 30 amp service and not 50 like I have. I have 2 ac's.

TomKirk · 06-17-2016, 11:42 AM

On my '77 AS, I installed a timer to control my charger; 2 hrs charge, 4 hrs rest; 24/7.

I got my timer from Lowe's more than a decade ago. It's plug and play. Just set and forget it.

Tom

PecanMan5 · 06-17-2016, 12:26 PM

Any recommendations on someone in the Southeast that can do an install?

larryglarson · 06-17-2016, 02:59 PM

I Have over 6,000 miles and 70 nights in my new 2016 26 U FC and have had wonderful results with my new system. I here problems and have watched my batteries very close, now problem. I think it is like so many worrying about Good Year Marathon tires, they are great.

I say relax.

RareStream · 06-17-2016, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryglarson

I Have over 6,000 miles and 70 nights in my new 2016 26 U FC and have had wonderful results with my new system. I here problems and have watched my batteries very close, now problem. I think it is like so many worrying about Good Year Marathon tires, they are great.

I say relax.

Please don't give improper information even if it is just an opinion on a 70 day old trailer.

With the stock converter it is not a question of "if" but a question of "when" your batteries will be destroyed if you leave your trailer plugged in continuously for any length of time. The batteries simply boil until they are ruined. There is NO way around it. If you leave your trailer plugged in, the converter WILL destroy the batteries.

I went through THREE converters on my Airstream; the first was defective when the unit was still on the dealer's lot between the time I inspected the trailer and when I actually bought it, so that was replaced by the dealer. The second converter failed while it was at Jackson Center having unrelated work done and they told me in passing that they replaced it. It wasn't a surprise. The third time, I replaced it myself with a 9280.

It has been plugged in, CONTINUOUSLY, since 2012 with batteries manufactured in 2010 which still perform like new.

I also have a 1997 Scamp which I replaced the original (same brand as the Airstream) converter (which boiled the original battery in a few weeks) with a new 9280 in 2003. I installed a new Wal-Mart battery in 2005 (to replace the original 1997 boiled battery that hadn't worked in years). That 2005 battery is STILL in the trailer, STILL holds a charge like new, and that trailer has been plugged in CONTINUOUSLY for 11 years. ELEVEN YEARS.

Change that converter.

rdepas · 06-17-2016, 03:34 PM

I emailed Magnum because it is a project on my wish list as well. They recommended a MSH3012M with the current 12V battery bank or MSH4024M if I wanted to add more batteries and go to a 24V battery bank.

Didn't give me a lot of detail other than send the manuals and recommend a service center in the area.

ghaynes755 · 06-17-2016, 03:57 PM

Southeast in the winter time, Lew Farber (Lewster on the forum) is usually in Florida. Marvin Braun out west. (www.precisionrv.com).

I'm partial to Magnums. Good customer service. Pretty bullet proof. More expensive and certainly more expensive to install since they aren't 'plug n play'.

Plan-B · 06-17-2016, 04:34 PM

Ditto RareStream! Been there and done that, fried my batteries with the factory Paralax. Installed PD-4655. Things are so much better now.

Clozzzer · 06-17-2016, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdepas

I emailed Magnum because it is a project on my wish list as well. They recommended a MSH3012M with the current 12V battery bank or MSH4024M if I wanted to add more batteries and go to a 24V battery bank.

Didn't give me a lot of detail other than send the manuals and recommend a service center in the area.

What would be the advantage of going 24 volts?

Silver Pony · 06-18-2016, 08:48 AM

I have a 2016 26u picked up early May only used it twice. Its stored inside w/water, sewer and power. We were planning to leave power hooked up all the time but after reading the post on battery failure I'm having second thoughts. I know nothing about electronics so please educate me on this replacement. Where is the unit located in the trailer? Is a simple plug out, plug in? Thanks, Walt

Bob Little · 06-18-2016, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghaynes755

Good Progressive Dynamics products like the PD-4655. Direct replacement. Slide in and most folks can do it themselves. Better/Best one of the Magnum Inverter/Chargers. Dump the WFCO inverter (if you have one) and get the much better and more powerful Magnum.

Forgive my ignorance of what I just recently purchased...a 2016 Flying Cloud 19'...but I would like the long term assurance of a stable battery current supply. Can anyone tell me whether I have the 'bad' inverter/charger and where it might be located in my front dinette/rear bedroom model? Would it be reasonably easy for a non-EE degree-holder to replace?

Many thanks in advance for the 'informational energy supply' provided 24 hours a day by the Air Forum! .

WayneG · 06-18-2016, 10:32 AM

Watch your water levels too, you dont want to find this mess in your battery box

Wayne&Sam · 06-18-2016, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RareStream

Please don't give improper information even if it is just an opinion on a 70 day old trailer..

Take a deep breath Rarestream. Not everyone's experience is the same.

In my 2007, the original batteries lasted 7 years, using the stock converter. No, I didn't leave it plugged in for months at a time while in storage, but when traveling for 2-3 months at time I never used the store more. Granted, I never stayed in one site for more than a week or so, but a week or so falls into the definition of "any length of time".

I too agree that your batteries will eventually fail. Everything eventually fails.

If my stock converter fails while I own it, I would put in a PD or whatever the latest and greatest is at that time. But I don't see the need to toss a converter that's currently (Ha!) meeting my needs.

rdepas · 06-18-2016, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clozzzer

What would be the advantage of going 24 volts?

It can output 4000 Watts vs. the 3000 W of the 12V system. Just depends what you're needs are. Personally I would stick with 12V.

lewster · 06-18-2016, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdepas

I emailed Magnum because it is a project on my wish list as well. They recommended a MSH3012M with the current 12V battery bank or MSH4024M if I wanted to add more batteries and go to a 24V battery bank.

Didn't give me a lot of detail other than send the manuals and recommend a service center in the area.

So let me get this right..............

Magnum recommended that you use the MSH-3012M for your 12VDC battery bank. You did not specify in your post how large the battery bank is and what type of batteries your have. If you are using Airstream's stock offering of a pair of Interstate Group 24 liquid lead acid batteries, the MSH-3012M will deplete them in the blink of an eye with any significant load applied to them.

All lead acid batteries are subject to Peukert losses and you should get very familiar with the results of that.

And the MSH-4024M????????? Yes, it will work on a 24 volt battery system and provide you with 4000 watts of 120VAC power, but EVERYTHING ELSE in your trailer operates on 12VDC. How do you propose to reduce the DC voltage so it is applicable to all of your other components??????? It is very do-able, as high-end motor homes like Newell and Prevost do it on all of their coaches as they run 24VDC battery banks made up of 6-8 Lifeline 8D batteries that can total up to 1000 amp/hours @24VDC, but its is not an inexpensive undertaking, nor one for a DIY with limited experience.

If you are looking for a really large 120VAC output from a 12VDC inverter/charger, I would look at the Victron 12/5000/200-100/100 unit. It operates from a 12VDC battery bank and will give you 5000 watts of continuous AC power but again remember............ drawing that much amperage from a standard sized battery bank will deplete it almost in the time it takes you to look at your monitor screen!!!

rdepas · 06-18-2016, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

So let me get this right..............

Magnum recommended that you use the MSH-3012M for your 12VDC battery bank. You did not specify in your post how large the battery bank is and what type of batteries your have. If you are using Airstream's stock offering of a pair of Interstate Group 24 liquid lead acid batteries, the MSH-3012M will deplete them in the blink of an eye with any significant load applied to them.

All lead acid batteries are subject to Peukert losses and you should get very familiar with the results of that.

And the MSH-4024M????????? Yes, it will work on a 24 volt battery system and provide you with 4000 watts of 120VAC power, but EVERYTHING ELSE in your trailer operates on 12VDC. How do you propose to reduce the DC voltage so it is applicable to all of your other components??????? It is very do-able, as high-end motor homes like Newell and Prevost do it on all of their coaches as they run 24VDC battery banks made up of 6-8 Lifeline 8D batteries that can total up to 1000 amp/hours @24VDC, but its is not an inexpensive undertaking, nor one for a DIY with limited experience.

If you are looking for a really large 120VAC output from a 12VDC inverter/charger, I would look at the Victron 12/5000/200-100/100 unit. It operates from a 12VDC battery bank and will give you 5000 watts of continuous AC power but again remember............ drawing that much amperage from a standard sized battery bank will deplete it almost in the time it takes you to look at your monitor screen!!!

Yes, I told them what I had for a Bayreuth bank and that I had two A/C units with 50A service. Just relating what they recommended. I don't plan on going with a Magnum because quite frankly, I don't want to put $2k into the charging system. If you have a problem with what I posted, I suggest you take it up with Magnum. I was just paying the info along to the OP.