Anybody know how many watts an old Univolt would draw (circa 1979 31' International?)

[wacnstac]

I'm wondering because I'm replacing with a 60A Intellipower that draws 1000 Watts on the input side. Wondering how they compare.

[Pick]

Probably about the same or more. The old Univolts used a ferro resonant transformer, and they generate a lot of heat, which equates to wasted energy. Intellipowers use solid state switching technology which is more efficient.

[HowieE]

60 amps seams like a bit of over kill. What are you using at 12 volts that requires that kind of power?

[wacnstac]

I invertor is bought and paid for. Didn't want to be underpowered As an afterthought, I was worried that my requirements to power the invertor are going to be a lot more than the old one and I do boondock continously.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by wacnstac

I invertor is bought and paid for. Didn't want to be underpowered As an afterthought, I was worried that my requirements to power the invertor are going to be a lot more than the old one and I do boondock continously.

Is that an 'inverter' or a 'converter'? Two very different animals.

[wacnstac]

Sorry meant to say convertor. So does anybody have an answer? I suppose when I pull the old one out it might be stamped somewhere with how many watts it draws. Perhaps the 60A might charge a drained battery a little faster which is good for me as this means less generator run time.

[markdoane]

The 60A charge rate is fine if you have an AGM battery. Might be OK if you have two wet cells.

I wouldn't use that high a rate if you have a gel battery.

[lewster]

The higher amperage units will re-charge yuor batteries faster, but it's the voltage that's most important with the different types of batteries. I don't have the exact numbers off the top of my head, but a gel requires the lowest charge voltages, with wet cell in the middle and AGM needing the highest.

I would assume that most converters and battery chargers will provide a 'safe' voltage output so as not to ruin a battery with excessive charging voltage. There is a 'new breed' of charger where you select the type of battery during set-up, and this pre-determines the charging voltages used.

AGMs like to be charged at their higher recommended voltage (per Lifeline's website) in order to acieve maximum battery life.

[wacnstac]

I have a Lifeline AGM.

[Pacerized]

I can't recall which thread, but someone on here did a comparison of the draw from his univolt to his inteli charger before, and after. He said the univolt put out between 5-6 amps, but never less then 5. By comparison the inteli charger went down to .6 after the batteries were charged. I don't know how that would relate to the W draw, but I would think it would be less.
Charlie

[lewster]

Originally Posted by wacnstac

I have a Lifeline AGM.

Me too! Two GPL-4C 6VDC golf cart batteries replaced the 2 Interstate Group 24's. I switched out the Parrallax converter that came with the trailer to a WFCO 3-stage 55 amp unit. No problems to date.......but the real test is coming up in July when I'll be full-timing in the CCD for 3+ months!

I'll keep you posted..............................