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06-29-2011, 03:21 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2017 30' Classic
Lexington
, Kentucky
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 105
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Intellipower Converter
I'm sure this question has been asked before, but my searches did not uncover the answer. When I pick-up my brand-new 2012 FC 25FB from the dealer in August, should I have them replace the stock converter with an Intellipower converter with multi-stage charging, or even better, have it installed at the factory, since it has not yet been built? (If so, which model do I need?) I keep reading about how careful other Airstream owners must be in monitoring their batteries when using the stock converter. I've also read where generator charging is also much faster with the Intellipower converter. If this is the case, I don't understand why Airstream doesn't use a multi-stage converter. I assume most Airstream owners are using the stock converter. Am I missing something?
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06-29-2011, 03:28 PM
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#2
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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If the factory will do it...... IOTA DLS 55
Did the up-grade 2 Seasons ago, great unit
http://www.bestconverter.com/DLS-55-...ter_p_319.html
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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07-01-2011, 09:50 PM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
2017 30' Classic
Lexington
, Kentucky
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 105
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Intellipower Converter
A question for those using the stock Airstream converter: How do you keep your batteries from being over-charged (water boiled away, etc.) when hooked to campground power for long periods of time (days, weeks)?
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07-01-2011, 10:27 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1987 29' Sovereign
Sparta
, Tennessee
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 509
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My factory installed unit worked fine for 20 years and we would be plugged in for months during the winter in Florida or Texas. However, I installed the Intellipower 9245 two years ago and it is doing fine.
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07-02-2011, 04:28 AM
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#5
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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Pretend your boondocking, only keep it plugged in for an hour or two a day.
Battery's may even last longer if they are cycled, charged/discharged,
carefully on a regular basis.
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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07-02-2011, 09:39 AM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
2017 30' Classic
Lexington
, Kentucky
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 105
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I noticed in the specs for my trailer an "Electronic Battery Disconnect" feature. Will this allow me to disconnect the batteries (while hooked to AC power) once they are fully charged?
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07-02-2011, 11:10 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1958 26' Overlander
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wlanford
I noticed in the specs for my trailer an "Electronic Battery Disconnect" feature. Will this allow me to disconnect the batteries (while hooked to AC power) once they are fully charged?
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If you are plugged in for long periods of time, I prefer to use a battery disconnect switch to disconnect the batteries. The converter-charger will provide all of the 12v power you need while you are plugged in to 110v. Batteries should be periodically charged and used when dry camping/ boondocking, but I really see no need to keep them connected and charged constantly.
__________________
1958 Overlander
2011 Wolf Creek 850N TC
2011 Ford F-250 Crewcab (6.2L), 3.73RE
WBCCI #5661/AIR #5661/TAC # AZ-6
4CU 1st VP
My '58 Overlander Restoration and Travel Blog:
https://mellomikesairstreams.blogspot.com/
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07-02-2011, 12:31 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,095
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If you are near the trailer and go into it regular one way to do it is to just leave it plugged into AC but to turn the converter off with the 110 switch for the converter. You can turn the converter on for a couple of hours every few days to keep the battery up. I keep a battery voltage plugged into the socket in the bathroom so I can check the state of the charge. Another stragety that some use is to plug the airstream into a timer and only have it on for 1 hr a day. You can also turn off the 12 volt power with the battery disconnect, but that takes all the 12 volt down and I like to run the fantastic fan and some lights when we go in the trailer for working on it, cleaning, and re-outifitting for trips.
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07-02-2011, 12:50 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2008 22' Safari
Oracle
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,174
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Hmmmm....I think you should talk to the Airstream folks. Our '08 Safari Sport came with a multi-stage convertor.
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07-02-2011, 06:14 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS
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I upgraded to the same unit last year. I feel I can justify the expense with longer time between battery replacements. I opted for the external IQ-4 module, so that the IQ-4 LED coud be mounted in a visable location.
Ken
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07-02-2011, 07:20 PM
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#11
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,694
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Lewster recommended the Iota, ordered for me, and I installed it. The factory model converter was one stage and I did not keep it plugged into shore power when I realized it was cooking the batteries, but let the solar system charge the batteries. I always worried whether campground power through the converter was cooking the batteries, but now that I have a multistage charger, life is good.
Ahab, I'm surprised your '08 came with a 3 stage, ours did not.
Gene
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07-03-2011, 12:46 AM
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#12
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I approve of this message
2006 28' International CCD
Redmond
, Washington
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 94
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It would be great if you could have the factory install an IOTA. In fact, have them install some proper cables while you're at it. Then, down the road, you'll be set up for AGM, solar and what ever else suits you.
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07-19-2011, 12:19 AM
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#13
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1 Rivet Member
1975 31' Sovereign
1968 26' Overlander
Lost Angeles
, California
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 17
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I just bought two inteli-power 9245 converters (one for each of the streams) for $106.99 a piece plus shipping on ebay.
I'm hoping this will be well worth the expense given the alternative of hiring a baby-sitter to plug and unplug my AS every 3 days.
Has anyone had bad luck with multi-stage converters? Are they as trustworthy as some make them out to be?
__________________
All I need is a some solar panels, and a place to park outside the smog of LA.
1968 Airstream Overlander
1975 Airstream Sovereign
TV = 1997 Ford F250HD Powerstroke
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07-19-2011, 05:14 AM
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#14
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hartley1212
Are they as trustworthy as some make them out to be?
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IMO, the quality ones are.
I can't speak to the 9245, no experience with the brand.
I replaced the OEM Parallax when I switched to AGM battery's.
The Xantrex replacement failed after 8 daze.
The current Iota DLS55 IQ4 has worked flawlessly for three Seasons.
The AS has stayed plugged during our current heat wave, with the AC set at 78 degrees, all systems GO.
Bob
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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07-19-2011, 06:13 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1995 30' Excella
Bowie
, Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,345
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hartley1212
I just bought two inteli-power 9245 converters (one for each of the streams) for $106.99 a piece plus shipping on ebay.
I'm hoping this will be well worth the expense given the alternative of hiring a baby-sitter to plug and unplug my AS every 3 days.
Has anyone had bad luck with multi-stage converters? Are they as trustworthy as some make them out to be?
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That's similar to what I put in the B190 (I put in a 60 amp for some reason, but the 45 would have been sufficient) back in 2008. I also put an Optima Deep Cycle battery in at that time. It works GREAT, and the battery is still holding a good charge despite the fact that I've left it plugged in for months on end. It was, by far, the best thing I ever did to the B190.
Our new trailer has three batteries and a cheap 50 amp converter, and the batteries are about the same age as the one I put in the B190. But those three batteries have far less capacity than the 1 battery in the B190, because the converter has probably cooked them.
Our new trailer has three solar cells on top and three batteries, so my thinking is that I really shouldn't ever need to have the converter on as long as it's relatively sunny while camping, but we can't even go one night with the converter off. Meanwhile the B190's ONE battery will hold a charge for weeks.
I'm chomping at the bit to replace the converter with the same one I put in the B190, and get two or three new batteries (I might ditch the third battery - we don't dry camp much). It's great not having to worry about whether your converter is cooking your batteries!
__________________
1995 Airstream Classic 30' Excella 1000
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7L Diesel
Sold but not forgotten: 1991 Airstream B190
Sold: 2006 F-250 6.0L Powerstroke Supercab
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07-19-2011, 06:28 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1965 22' Safari
Vassar
, Michigan
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 848
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I installed an inteli-power 9245 converter in my 65 Safari w/3 Lifelines and it works great. Charges very fast and makes no noise.
__________________
Tim
TAC MI 14
Everyday is a Saturday
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07-19-2011, 02:31 PM
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#17
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,694
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Iota has been recommended to me by lewster as the best converter. Since I just installed it a couple of weeks ago, I can only say they last a couple of weeks.
Gene
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07-19-2011, 03:14 PM
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#18
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CrawfordGene
Iota has been recommended to me by lewster as the best converter. Since I just installed it a couple of weeks ago, I can only say they last a couple of weeks.
Gene
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Will you be my barrister.....PLEASE.
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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07-19-2011, 03:55 PM
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#19
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,694
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS
Will you be my barrister.....PLEASE.
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You'll have to send a substantial retainer. Then we can discuss what I can't do.
Gene
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07-19-2011, 04:12 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Corpus Christi
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 869
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hartley1212
I just bought two inteli-power 9245 converters (one for each of the streams) for $106.99 a piece plus shipping on ebay.
I'm hoping this will be well worth the expense given the alternative of hiring a baby-sitter to plug and unplug my AS every 3 days.
Has anyone had bad luck with multi-stage converters? Are they as trustworthy as some make them out to be?
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Hartley, we just replaced our old Univolt with the Intelipower 9260 (someone said the fan runs less often is the only reason we did not get the 9245). The first thing that happened was I started tripping the GFCI. (we have a 27ft 84 Sovereign) After a bunch of help on the forums I finally did what one of the first people told me to do. Replace the GFCI. Once I did that, all has been well. I guess a new converter and an old GFCI just did not work well together. So if you start tripping the breaker, save yourself some trouble and go get a new one. The big plus with the multi stage converters is supposed to be "saving" the batteries. I can leave it on all the time and it regulates itself. Now I need to build a cabinet, mount the converter to the new floor and go Streamin! (you can see it sitting between the chairs)
__________________
Chuck & Skye
Rock and Roll Will Never Die!
WBCCI 3805
AIR 54011 Since July 2011
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