Univolt V replacement options. 1973 Overlander

[biggoofball]

I gutted the bathroom to replace the floor. While in there, I plan to remove the Univolt.

I had planned to use an Intelicharger and be done. But then I saw this
https://www.progressivedyn.com/rv/po...charge-wizard/

I really like the thought of not climbing under the bed to check on things.

Does this replace the pd9245? Or is that in addition to it?


Also considering am inverter for the rare instance I need 110 when boondocking. Not sure how that gets wired. Power to it is easy. It's after that I am a little stumped

Is there a wiring diagram that shows how the univolt is wired and then how to wire whatever I put back in?

Thank you in advance


Looking at photos. I assume the Romex comes from the shore power panel. The big red and black go to the battery.
What's the big blue wire?
What's the big white wire?
What're all the little wires?

[polarlyse]

I use a small portable 400w inverter for our 120v usage. It just plugs into the round 12v lighter plug so you have no need to do any fancy wiring. If you don't have any factory installed 12v outlets it's easy to install yourself but I have 2 in our 2001 Excella. One in the galley area (next to the reefer) and one in the sleeping area (in case you had a 12v TV to use). A larger inverter will need to be hard wired I think but this serves our needs now for 5 years.

With the 400w capacity we are able to operate a TV and a desktop fan on warm evenings and have used a crock pot (on low) to cook dinner. We also have 400w of solar to keep the batteries charged when we dry camp

[CBWELL]

I have installed PD9245 units in both my 1976 and my 1994 trailers with very good results. I have also installed several of these units for friends with the same results. Great company to deal with and quality products. Install takes less than an hour in most cases.

[Dspchef]

I installed a WFCO-9855 power converter in our Excella. I bought it off of eBay in the "parts or non-working" section for $9 and it had a bad capacitor and blown fuse. Those 2 other items cost me $11. Not a bad trade off and the results have been quite nice.....no more dimming lights and you don't hear the buzzing coming from deep within the AS. Here is a link to what I did with it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSqo4O8_rxE

[Madmarke007]

I’m my 70 Tradewind I bought a new converter but I kept the original fuse section of the univolt. I took an angle grinder to cut off the transformer section of univolt and wired new converter To existing fuses. Easier, quicker and cheaper than rewiring to a new fuse block.

[Wazbro]

All the small wires are from the fuses to the 12v circuits. You know lights, fans, fridge, ect. Blue wire may be to the trailer brake brake-away switch, trailer jack and/or to 12v supply line from tow vehicle. White should be ground to frame.

[Boom]

On my '71 the "big blue" wire was the (+)12vdc charge wire from the tow vehicle connector. The "big white" wire was (-)12vdc that eventually connected to the trailer frame, as the trailer/aluminum skin itself acts as the (-)12vdc. The "small" wires (pink, purple, brown and yellow if I remember correctly) are (+)12dc wires going to different circuits (lights, fans, etc). There were also wires going up front to the control panel.

If you search the internet for a 1973 airstream 12v wiring diagram you should be able to find a schematic.

Hope this helps a little, but please verify before acting on any electrical advice from us "experts"!

[bibbs]

If I was doing it again I would try to find an all in one inverter, charger, fuse panel. Then locate the power center in a convenient location.

[biggoofball]

That's why I really like the 4100 series I mention above. No inverter, everything else. I think I'm ordering it an putting it above the curb side twin bed. I might get an inverter also. Not sure yet.

[Trnpk Crsr]

If you want an inverter, why not install an inverter/charger rather than a separate converter and inverter?

Cheers,

John

[Kvsterling]

Originally Posted by Trnpk Crsr

If you want an inverter, why not install an inverter/charger rather than a separate converter and inverter?

Cheers,

John

I second that thought. I would also encourage upgrading to a spade type fuse panel. VTS has a nice one. The inverter/Charger would hard wire into the trailer and power the outlets. Built in transfer switch is nice too!

[TouringDan]

I like having the converter, fuse panel and inverter all separate in our 66 Tradewind. It allows more flexibility when replacing one due to a failure or an upgrade. I installed a Progressive Dynamics converter 9 years ago, then I installed a Zamp 1,000 watt inverter 3 years ago, then a new spade type fuse panel, followed by lithium batteries, a Samlex 2,000 watt inverter and finally a Progressive Dynamics lithium battery converter. I took the original Progressive Dynamics converter and installed it in our big Airstream and just installed the Zamp inverter in my Tundra. For details see my project thread- Dan’s 66 Tradewind Improvements.

All the components are very high quality and reasonably priced- less than $600 for the inverter, converter and fuse panel.

Dan

[biggoofball]

Thank you for all the comments!!

I just bought the 4135. Wife and I rarely need the inverter. $160 or so shipped from best converter.

[biggoofball]

Was too hot to work on the camper in July and August so here I am again. I deciphered the AC circuit and I'm pretty sure how to wire the converter and the DC to and from it. My last piece of the puzzle is where I put the blue and white wires from the tow vehicle 12V.

I am guessing these should go to the battery pos and neg as shown in diagram.

Any thoughts? I'd like to wire it up tomorrow and not have to wait for Progressive Dynamics to open on Tuesday.

(The PD install instructions do not specify where these go)

https://www.airforums.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=212642


Quarter Monty - 1973 Overlander

I posted some photos over here ^

[72Int]

Originally Posted by Madmarke007

I’m my 70 Tradewind I bought a new converter but I kept the original fuse section of the univolt. I took an angle grinder to cut off the transformer section of univolt and wired new converter To existing fuses. Easier, quicker and cheaper than rewiring to a new fuse block.

How did you wire it in? My fuse block is in front of the converter , i plan on doing the same thing you did but there are multiple wires coming in the back from the converter. If you can post a picture or two that would be awesome .