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Old 06-29-2011, 03:21 PM   #1
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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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Old 06-29-2011, 03:28 PM   #2
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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
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Old 07-01-2011, 09:50 PM   #3
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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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Old 07-01-2011, 10:27 PM   #4
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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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Old 07-02-2011, 04:28 AM   #5
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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.
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Old 07-02-2011, 09:39 AM   #6
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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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Old 07-02-2011, 11:10 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by wlanford View Post
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?
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.
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Old 07-02-2011, 12:31 PM   #8
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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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Old 07-02-2011, 12:50 PM   #9
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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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Old 07-02-2011, 06:14 PM   #10
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If the factory will do it...... IOTA DLS 55



Did the up-grade 2 Seasons ago, great unit


DLS-55 55 Amp Power Converter

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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Old 07-02-2011, 07:20 PM   #11
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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.

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Old 07-03-2011, 12:46 AM   #12
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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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Old 07-19-2011, 12:19 AM   #13
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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?
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Old 07-19-2011, 05:14 AM   #14
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Are they as trustworthy as some make them out to be?
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
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Old 07-19-2011, 06:13 AM   #15
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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?
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!
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Old 07-19-2011, 06:28 AM   #16
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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.
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Old 07-19-2011, 02:31 PM   #17
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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.

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Old 07-19-2011, 03:14 PM   #18
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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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Old 07-19-2011, 03:55 PM   #19
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Will you be my barrister.....PLEASE.
You'll have to send a substantial retainer. Then we can discuss what I can't do.

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Old 07-19-2011, 04:12 PM   #20
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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?
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)
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