PD4655 Converter Questions

[RubyDog]

Installed a PD4655 in my FC25FB. Big improvement. Now I am wondering about charging patterns using a generator.. I have two Honda Eu2000i generators I can run singly or in parallel. Does the time it takes to recharge the batteries change depending on whether I use one or two generators? Does it make a difference if I am also running the furnace at the same time? Lastly do I need a surge protector with a PD4655? The design seems to imply a surge protector is redundant. Thanks

[idroba]

The PD 4655 will run just fine on one Honda 2000 generator. It will not charge any faster with two operating. If the furnace is running it will take about 4 to 5 amps, but the batteries will only take a charge at their own rate, and that will never be close to the 55 amp total converter/charger capacity. So, running the furnace while charging will not change the rate of charge.

My personal opinion is that surge protectors are unnecessary to begin with (ducks) and I don't feel that the generator power changes a thing one way or another. I am very sure that others disagree with me on that point.

[Glenritas]

The time to charge is not going to change, using one generator is more then enough for the charger and most systems in your trailer except the a/c then you'll need the second generator.

Install a surge protector to protect your systems when plugged into shore power.

I have two 30 amp inlets and two surge protectors. One for the trailer the other for the washer and dryer.

I have the PD60** in our trailer.

[acstokes]

RubyDog,

Upgrading to the PD4655 is a good thing. Running both EU2000's at the same time will charge your batteries faster. The PD4655 is a 55 amp converter and it will take all the power the EU2000's deliver when bulk charging, but less so when the batteries are approaching full charge. When batteries are nearly full charged they can't accept the charge as fast as when they're more depleted so you can discontinue one generator when they get close to being fully charged. Of course this means you need to have a voltmeter in order to know their voltage. The new converter will charge the to about 14.2-14.4 volts and stay at that voltage for about one hour before dropping back to a float voltage of about 13.2 volts. Beyond that point any excess charging will be a waste of gas; however, you'll be able to hear your generators reduce speed to an idle when that point is reached.

I don't know if your 2014 Flying Cloud came with a wall mounted monitor, but if not you may want to consider buying and installing one. A popular one is the Bogart Engineering Trimetric 2030RV shown here:

http://www.bestconverter.com/Trimetric-2030RV-Battery-System-Monitor_p_557.html#.VO_6y_nF-So

A surge protector is good insurance and, although not inexpensive, I recommend you get one. There's another thread running on AirForums right now where the virtues of having one are being discussed. Just search on "surge" to find it.

By the way, your furnace fan uses about 9-10 volts while running and will have no adverse effect on your generators charging

[Glenritas]

Originally Posted by acstokes

RubyDog,



By the way, your furnace fan uses about 9-10 volts while running and will have no adverse effect on your generators charging

Opps ... Don't you mean that would be 9-10 amps at 12 - 14 volts.

BTW the PD4655 only draws 950 watts thats 8.25 amps at 115 volts.
One Honda 2000i puts out 13 amps continuous . For what its worth

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by acstokes

RubyDog,

Upgrading to the PD4655 is a good thing. Running both EU2000's at the same time will charge your batteries faster. The PD4655 is a 55 amp converter and it will take all the power the EU2000's deliver when bulk charging, but less so when the batteries are approaching full charge. When batteries are nearly full charged they can't accept the charge as fast as when they're more depleted so you can discontinue one generator when they get close to being fully charged. Of course this means you need to have a voltmeter in order to know their voltage. The new converter will charge the to about 14.2-14.4 volts and stay at that voltage for about one hour before dropping back to a float voltage of about 13.2 volts. Beyond that point any excess charging will be a waste of gas; however, you'll be able to hear your generators reduce speed to an idle when that point is reached.
~~

It seems that you're suggesting that the PD4655 can utilize all the output of 2 paralleled EU2000i generators, which doesn't make sense. The converter's output is 55 amps at 14.4v, or under 800 watts. Unless it's less than 40% efficient, it wouldn't even challenge one of the Hondas running solo. (In fact, according to Progressive Dynamics, its rated max input is 950 watts.) Now, if the fridge is on auto and you switch the water heater to electric, you could soak up the entire output of a single 2k generator, but you wouldn't be charging the batteries any faster.

[TG Twinkie]

You can not force a battery to charge. It will charge at it's own rate. Once the battery has reached it's maximum input capacity while charging adding more generator capacity is fruitless.
Using another example. If you have a coach with 50 amp service and you use an adaptor to plug into 30 amp service. It has no effect on the rate the batteries will charge.


Sent from my iPod touch using Airstream Forums

[acstokes]

I stand corrected that a furnace fan consumes 9-10 amps not volts.

I was also assuming that the O.P was running other stuff while charging to the extent that he was at least occasionally consuming in excess of the 13 amps that one EU2000i will generate, thereby benefiting from the second genny. True that if he's not using more than 13 amps at any given time one is all that's needed. The EU2000i's self throttle according to the output needed or power draw at any given time. So with two gennies running each will only run as fast as necessary to charge the batteries and power what appliances happen to be running. Rather than one genny running at high speed he would have two going at a more moderate speed.



Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums