2017 27 PD4655 Install

[Tomhenritze]

I am taking the spring to do minor upgrades before going full time this summer. One upgrade that gets mentioned frequently is upgrading to a pd4655. So, I went ahead and bought one without looking at my panel. Turns out I have a parallax 5300 (picture included). I searched the forums and several Facebook groups and all mention a parallax 7355, but none mention the 5300 and all the pictures look very different than mine. When I researched the 5300, the write up indicates "multi stage". So 2 questions: will the upgrade be of value? Anyone with pics or notes on upgrading a 5300? Thank you!

[Tomhenritze]

Pic...

[OTRA15]

Welcome to the forum!

What does your owner's manual say about your charger? There should also be a separate manual for the converter/charger from the mfg.. According to the following pages you probably already have a three-stage charger:

http://www.parallaxpower.com/power-centers-5300-series
http://www.parallaxpower.com/5355-power-center-5355

. . . and there should be no need to upgrade IMO.

[glcmranger]

Call Randy at www.bestconverter.com.

[Tomhenritze]

I didn't receive a manual for the converter, just for the inverter. I am so new I didn't know the difference or even what happened behind that black cover. I googled the 5300 and that is where I saw the comment 3 stage. Does that mean it will be nice to my batteries when on shore power?

I was also looking at changing out the inverter (wf 5100 1000 watt pure sine) to something in the 2000's. I keep tripping it when I plug in my electric kettle.

Sounds like I need to call randy...

Thanks!

[OTRA15]

My (lay) understanding is that your converter/charger will be kind to your batteries.

For a larger inverter, you will probably need a larger AWG feed (and circuit breaker) to the new inverter, which will drain your batteries more quickly IMO. You could send a PM (private message) to the user lewster here who is a whiz on matters electrical.

We heat our water for tea and coffee on a propane cooktop burner, the old-fashioned way!



Good luck!

Peter

PS -- To send a private message [PM] go to your User CP [link at top left, in the blue menu bar above] and choose that option. Auto-complete will help you fill in the user name of the person you wish to reach.

[NorCal Matt]

In my brief search just now, 5300 is the series of converters from Parralax. Parralax does sell a 5355R which is a (quoting from website)
"Three Stage 55 Amp Converter Replacement For 500 And 5300 Series"

I would doubt yours is a three stage, our 2017 25FC was a single stage. I replaced ours after Vinny recommended a WF-8955REP, saying he had seen fewer issues with it than the Parralax offerings. It was a very easy replacement and has been working well.

[OTRA15]

In light of recent comment, suggest getting the serial number from your charger and calling the manufacturer to confirm its exact properties. Also suggest looking again for the mfg. pamphlet in your AS briefcase along with all the other small appliance pamphlets. If as you say there is none, I would ask your dealer to get one. The dealer should be able to clarify your charger as single or three-stage.

I may have jumped the gun in suggesting that you have a smart charger.

[pcskier]

See Post #31 and up on this thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...-162905-3.html

[Tomhenritze]

Spoke with Jackson center as well as my dealership. The 5300 series converter is a single stage converter, and that is what is installed in my trailer. Spoke with parallax and they do not have a converter that will work. Spoke with randy, and ordered the boondocker converter from him. Super nice gentleman, thank you for the recommendation. And thank all of you for your help!

[tot2learn]

As others have said, the PD4655 won't work with the dual A/C 50 amp set up. I have a 27FB with 50amp power and ended up ordering the PowerMax PM4B-60. That converter has worked well for me.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...ml#post1652199

[Patrr]

I JUST this weekend installed the Boondocker 1260 HW from Best Converter. It replaced the Parallax 555. It was slightly more involved than I anticipated as I decided to use the Parallax chassis since the cover to the panel is fastened to the chassis. After some rivet drilling and metal cutting, got the Boondocker installed and wired up.
All is now working as expected. Randy was very helpful and patient. The pics on their website were helpful, but not totally illustrative of my install. It was a good learning experience for both my converter and inverter awareness.