Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-07-2013, 01:20 PM   #1
3 Rivet Member
 
1988 25' Excella
Trumbull , Connecticut
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 197
Blog Entries: 1
Converter disconnect switch

Hello fellow streamers. Just curious if anyone installed a converter disconnect switch in their trailers so they could have the converter output disconnected while running on a small generator (for AC) and batteries alone. That would relieve the generator of the converter load.
Any thoughts.
Happy camping nm1oqrz
nm1oqrz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2013, 01:26 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia , Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
It certainly is possible. If the batteries are discharged, the converter can take 700 to 950 watts depending on it's output. Also remember to run the refrigerator on propane only and don't use the electric part of the water heater, if you have one.

If your converter is on it's own circuit, or a non critical circuit, you might just shut the circuit breaker off. If it plugs into an outlet (some do, some don't) you could pull the plug.
idroba is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2013, 01:32 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
richinny's Avatar
 
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY , / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
in the days of the noisy converters, the excella's had one. i'd think if you were using a generator, the first thing you'd want to do is charge the batteries :-)
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
richinny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2013, 01:36 PM   #4
Rivet Master
 
damonbeals's Avatar
 
1998 31' Excella 1000
1979 23' Safari
Mooresville , Indiana
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 597
My 97 Excella has a power switch for the converter, it's hidden behind the curtains, but yes you can do that. It only turns off the AC to the converter doesn't disconnect the batteries.

Damon
#4827

Quote:
Originally Posted by nm1oqrz View Post
Hello fellow streamers. Just curious if anyone installed a converter disconnect switch in their trailers so they could have the converter output disconnected while running on a small generator (for AC) and batteries alone. That would relieve the generator of the converter load.
Any thoughts.
Happy camping nm1oqrz
damonbeals is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2013, 02:46 PM   #5
3 Rivet Member
 
1988 25' Excella
Trumbull , Connecticut
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 197
Blog Entries: 1
Converter disconnect switch

Hello. On my 88 Excella the converter is pluged into 120AC from a receptical under the gaucho. That receptical is on a breaker with other recepticals so if I shut off the breaker it will kill the converter but also other things. I was thinking of just dieconnecting the 12VDC output from the converter from the system. The converter will still be alive but not loaded. It looks like I can do this with a 2 battery disconnect switch where there is a batt1, both, batt2, off positions on it.
In BATT1 position the converter will be connected to trailer only.
In BOTH position the converter and batteries will be connected to the trailer normally ( for battery charging).
In BATT2 position the batteries will be connected to the trailer only.
In the OFF position the converter and batteries will be disconnected.
I have a Boondocker 45A converter and it does not need a battery connected to operate.
Any thoughts good or bad
Happy camping nm1oqrz


Quote:
Originally Posted by damonbeals View Post
My 97 Excella has a power switch for the converter, it's hidden behind the curtains, but yes you can do that. It only turns off the AC to the converter doesn't disconnect the batteries.

Damon
#4827
nm1oqrz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2013, 05:21 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
richinny's Avatar
 
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY , / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
if the converter is at the end of the line, installing a gfci outlet upstream of the outlet should kill power to the converter when you hit the 'test' button. i have heard that sometimes this will trip other gfci's if there are others. where is your converter located?

someone with electrical knowledge, please chime in :-)
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
richinny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2013, 07:53 PM   #7
Rivet Master
 
TG Twinkie's Avatar
 
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill , Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
Images: 2
Blog Entries: 5
There is a device that fits in a duplex outlet box that has a light switch and one receptacle.
Remove the existing duplex outlet and wire this device in so that the switch controls the power to the outlet.
Then just flip the switch to turn the power on or off to the converter.
TG Twinkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2013, 06:48 AM   #8
3 Rivet Member
 
1988 25' Excella
Trumbull , Connecticut
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 197
Blog Entries: 1
Converter disconnect switch

Hello TG. Unfortunately the AC outlet is under the gaucho and I would have to remove the drawer under the gaucho to get at it. Not easy on old knees.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Happy camping nm1oqrz
[/S]
QUOTE=TG Twinkie;1337452]There is a device that fits in a duplex outlet box that has a light switch and one receptacle.
Remove the existing duplex outlet and wire this device in so that the switch controls the power to the outlet.
Then just flip the switch to turn the power on or off to the converter.[/QUOTE]
nm1oqrz is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:59 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.