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Caffeinated · 10-15-2015, 01:42 PM

So I am replacing the converter, moving from the parellax single stage to the PD 4655. I've read the threads, watched the videos, budgeted 2.5 hours of time and gone over to my 27 FC with tools and the new converter. I'm stoked, and pumped to get this done.

OK, the first thing is to take off the access cover of the old converter. Umm. The screws that hold the cover on seem to be torx or star or something. None of my Allen keys will turn them. Well #%%*! There goes my window of time for the day. Guess I'll try this weekend.

Anyone know what size bit fits those stupid screws?

Mike

RamblinManGa · 10-15-2015, 02:03 PM

Hi from AZ. . . the ones on mine are torx., buy at any hdwe / auto parts store.............have you ever considered Decaf ? regards, Craig

FishinHatteras · 10-15-2015, 02:56 PM

Caffeine,
Thanks for the heads up on the screws. Fortunately, I have a set of those in the ol toolbox. I am about to order the exact same unit. Everything I have read & watched on YouTube indicates this should be a very easy project. I will be doing the same thing as you next weekend. I hope yours goes smoothly. I have heard nothing but good things about that unit, and that everything comes with the kit. Hope you bought yours from Randy at bestconverter.com. He's a pretty knowledgeable guy.
Good luck, and let us know how long it actually takes you.
Sea ya down the road,
Gavin

Wayne&Sam · 10-15-2015, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamblinManGa

.......have you ever considered Decaf ?

Ha!

The Ice Man · 10-15-2015, 04:27 PM

Caffeinated; Fishin - keep us posted, with Pics if possible. This is in our future as well.

TopGeorge · 10-16-2015, 11:56 AM

Time for me to do this upgrade too. Baby-ing the yellow tops has really gotten old. I'm sitting pretty in torx bits. My guess is bit size is T5 or T7 but don't know for sure Let me know, Mike, and I'll mail you a full set- in the likely event AZ and HD are sold out. So, what I need now is to order the new converter. Bestconverter.com, here I come.
Best regards and best of luck to each of you.
George in Crowley.

TopGeorge · 10-16-2015, 01:30 PM

Crikey. I meant to guess T-15 or T-17. Sorry.

Caffeinated · 10-16-2015, 09:30 PM

According to the Portland dealer, the screws are T-20. Which I have but didn't bring to the trailer originally. I'll find out for sure tomorrow.

Mike

lewster · 10-16-2015, 10:11 PM

Haven't seen the video, but this mod usually takes me around an hour. There are several things to watch for:

• be certain to remove the battery terminals (negative first) BEFORE you do anything else.
• be certain that you are NOT PLUGGED IN to shore power
• it is very beneficial to have a bit of additional length for the DC wire bundle. They are held by a retainer accessible at the back of the fuse block AFTER you remove the converter frame from the wall. You can put the cable bundle back to it's original spot after you're done.
• the converter power hot lead (black) is wire nutted to the bedroom circuit hot and has a third wire leading to the breaker. I have never seen anyone use a wire nut within a breaker box except Airstream. Airstream does this to allow 2 circuits to be controlled by a single breaker, because it is against NEC code to place 2 wires into a single breaker. It would be a much better arrangement to simply add a double breaker in the space to allow each of the circuits to have their own breaker.

Other than that, it should be a less than 6-pack install.

Msmoto · 10-17-2015, 05:01 AM

As is almost always the case when i do something for the first time, it takes for ever. I suspect I spent four or five hours from start to finish, including the planning stages for this conversion.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...-126429-6.html

I like to double check/triple check as failures do to my error are not acceptable in a situation where I may be out in the boonies...

tevake · 10-17-2015, 06:51 AM

Less than a 6 pack install, ha! Good one Lew.
I was going to mention to Caffinated, that the moment without the right tool, is why you keep cold brews in the fridge.
Good luck with your install.

I got to practice that job three times as they sent mt two units that buzzed too loudly right out of the box. I got quicker by the third install

Caffeinated · 10-17-2015, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tevake

Less than a 6 pack install, ha! Good one Lew.
I was going to mention to Caffinated, that the moment without the right tool, is why you keep cold brews in the fridge.
Good luck with your install.

I got to practice that job three times as they sent mt two units that buzzed too loudly right out of the box. I got quicker by the third install

I'm hoping that I only get the joy of replacing it the one time, but we will see. Fingers crossed.

And Lew, thanks for the tips.

Mike

Rich W · 10-17-2015, 10:50 AM

I did mine in the storage lot using my battery powered tools. I had already purchased a small pack of Torx drivers for my electric screwdriver. It took about an hour from start to end, just 2 beers (had to drive home ya know).

The instructions were very clear and the only problems I had were
1. One of the battery wires was short but I was able to pull it another inch or so to make the connection
2. The door doesn't completely close, had to force it a little bit. I didn't have a file with me, I'll do that on the next outing if I remember. It's just a little tight on closing it but a very, very small issue.

It is so much better now, showing proper charging amounts and holding it at 12.7. I'm very pleased with the swap out.

rodsterinfl · 10-17-2015, 10:59 AM

I did this one too. I took pictures and notes on the wire hook ups. It helped me for sure. I did it while in storage and in two shifts of about an hour or so each. It was easy with reference pics and notes.

J. Morgan · 10-17-2015, 11:50 AM

An otherwise simple task becomes difficult or impossible when you cant put your hands on the right tools.

Been there done that...

Brevi tempore!

Boogieshoes · 10-18-2015, 05:15 PM

In response to the OP title...."A long, long way from home."

Caffeinated · 10-18-2015, 07:07 PM

Well, this replacement has turned out to be "interesting". Yesterday I got slammed with family stuff and couldn't get to the trailer to work on it, but. Had high hopes for today. When I started I found out the cover is NOT using t 20 screws, but something smaller. So off to Home Depot on a Sunday afternoon to buy more tools. An hour later and I'm back at the trailer with a combo folding torx tool and t15 does the trick. The couver is off. For those keeping score this has only taken me three days.

Getting the Parallax out was pretty easy, and the connections look straight forward, so, ummm, why does the P unit have four wires and the PD five. Hmmm. Oh well, onward and upward. Taking off the DC board was easy, writing down the color of the little cd wires so I can put them back in order.

Unfortunately, this is where I ran into the problem. The thick DC negative cable is a titch too short to routed to the new board. PD moved the attachment point just enough to make it impossible, unless you take the whole freaking top part of the electrics out so you can access the strain relief and get another inch or so of wire. To do this you really want your electric drill/driver, which I did not have with me. And buy now it was getting late and my wife called wondering when I would be home. So...I will try to find the time to finish it up this week. I'm thinking this might be a three week job. :/

Mike

cwf · 10-18-2015, 08:29 PM

Make sure the batteries are disconnected.... Please. ... And disconnect AC POWER FROM THE CONVERTER..'please.

Caffeinated · 10-18-2015, 08:43 PM

CWF, thx for worrying. The batteries are disconnected, the trailer is not plugged in to shore power, and neither converter is connected right now. I want to finish getting the new DC board right before I install the converter. I just need to access the strain relief thingie which is impossible without taking out the upper part of the unit. Once I can get access to the screws that hold the wires it should be cake. If it isn't I'll probably send an SOS out to Lew.

lewster · 10-18-2015, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caffeinated

CWF, thx for worrying. The batteries are disconnected, the trailer is not plugged in to shore power, and neither converter is connected right now. I want to finish getting the new DC board right before I install the converter. I just need to access the strain relief thingie which is impossible without taking out the upper part of the unit. Once I can get access to the screws that hold the wires it should be cake. If it isn't I'll probably send an SOS out to Lew.

Definitely remove the entire package from the wall. Should be 4 screws.....no biggie! This will give you access to the strain relief and allow for more DC power cable to come forward. You should find a substantial amount of surplus cable behind the unit.