Replacing Univolt for 1970 25 foot Land Yacht Tradewind

[weaver1950]

I need to replace my Univolt converter/charger. Any suggestions what brand and specs to use? I have a 1970 Yacht Tradewind.

How many amps is my Univolt power converter? 15, 30, 45, 55, 75, 90, other?

Do I also need to buy a separated fuse box? If so, what brand and specs?

Thanks.

[Tdcraw]

I am trying to have which one i am going to buy as well. I have a separate fuse panel but will be replacing it at same time. I'm tired of the glass ones moving out of place at the most in opportune times.

[garthbf]

this is what I ended up getting for my 75 '31.
9200 9245 Amp Progressive Dynamics Inteli-Power Converter
got this fues box also.
12V RV Fuse Box

My univolt is in the curb side closet and tucked under the tub. I could not figure out how to get it out so I left it. just have to haul around that weight.
I mounted the new one on the side of the closet down low by the old univolt and the fuse box on the back of the closet where I could get all the wires from the old fuse box to the new one.

[johnamjr]

Weaver-
We also have a 25' 70 tradewind. I am going to embark on replacing the univolt soon. I was glad to see your post. I had the same questions. Can you let me know how it works out. and if there are any tips you can pass along. Also if you look on out of doors mart they have a how too on this.

Garth-
is the univolt bolted down? Mine seems to just be sitting there.

[DryFly]

I'm not an expert, but what I've seen on the forums here is that if you have 2 batteries, get a 9260, one battery get a 9245. I installed an Intellipower 9245 and have been VERY pleased with it. Absolutely no issues, and my battery is always ready to go.
You will need a separate fuse panel, available at NAPA and other auto parts stores, unless you re-use the old one from your Univolt which is what I did.
One thing I will say, the Intellipower is designed and assembled in the US, and some parts come from the US. From what I understand all the others are pretty much made in China.

[garthbf]

yes, it was screwed down and I could not get to the screws without pulling the bathtub. I tried just putting a crowbar under and prying but it did not budge so I left it there.

[tdyoungblood]

I just did the same thing. I went with the 9245 and I, too, could not get the old one out so I just left it.

In the univolt, all the wires are color coded, which was nice. But there was one white wire labeled on the univolt as LOAD-WHITE. Can anyone tell me where that should go on the new fuse panel? In the attached picture (which is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise), it is located just above the copper colored plate in the center of the pic).

Also, the old univolt had a 120v line coming into it for power supply. The new intellipower has a 3-prong plug for power. Any thoughts on what I should do with the old 120v line? For now, i just put some wire nuts on the end and taped it up good so I don't electrocute myself (again). Yep, learned that one the hard way.

Any help would be appreciated.

[TouringDan]

Just run the old 120v line into a handy box and install a receptacle there to power your converter.

Dan

[DKB_SATX]

Unless you have a real need to charge 2 batteries in a hurry, I'd stick with a 45-amp converter for most installations. It never occurred to me, but a friend who knows a lot about electricity and has actually tested the charging cycle of his converters pointed out that a) the 45-amp converter will let you charge the batteries even with a light 1000w generator, and b) the length of time the converter is putting out any serious amperage in a battery-charging cycle even with 2 batteries is pretty short, most of the charging time is low-output.