question about charge converter

[strider3700]

I have a nothing special 18' RV that I haul behind my rig. I bought it used and it's had minor things here and there. The biggest issue was the battery would never last when out for extended periods. So I added two T-105's in series and should have tons of power. They still sucked dry on the first trip where we weren't moving much. I finally had enough got out the multimeter and started checking things. I found a constant .4 Amp draw due to a propane detector. Unplugged that and with nothing on we're at 0 amp draw. Perfect. I checked the voltage on the batteries (10.92 V) I plugged the trailer in to charge and ignored it for a week. Come back and check the batteries and they're at 10.91 V. Some more work with the multimeter verified that the charge controller wasn't charging. Did some tracing and found an empty spot with a positive and a negative wire capped where I think the charge controller used to go. I'm assuming it died the previous owner removed it and didn't tell me when I bought it.

So I'm wondering can I replace it with any half decent 3 stage charger?

This is available locally http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G7200-Ba...F8&qid=1376967197&sr=1-3&keywords=noco+genius and seems like it should work to me.

Not knowing exactly what it's replacing I'm not sure if something like this is good enough, under/over kill? Any suggestions would be great. I was hoping to hardwire it into the trailer

Most of my travel I expect to slowly draw the batteries down over the period of a week or two then travel home where the trailer will be plugged in and the batteries should charge then maintain. During the winters I fully charge them, disconnect them from the trailer stick 45 watts of solar by them and ignore them for 4-5 months.

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

I have one of those chargers...same model. It works very well, and will act as a charger/maintainer and will keep your batteries in ship shape. It will help with sulfated batteries if I remember correctly? I used mine last winter to keep my trailer battery in shape. In my trailer this year I installed a Guest 6 amp charger with a water proof external plug. The Genius is going in the XJ this winter... bases = covered.

http://www.marinco.com/product/6-amp-single-battery-chargepro-charger



I liked this one because of the solid construction and the fact that the plug end is sealed and works so well. I simply open the cap, plug in the extension cord and never open the tongue box.



http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...&subdeptNum=50524&classNum=50526#.UhNCwj-1cZk

Will the charger you noted work for you...yup.

 

[elmo_4_vt]

While it looks like the one you posted would definitely work, I don't think that is what comes with most RVs. Usually they have a converter that acts as an AC and DC distribution panel and can supply DC for trailer loads when plugged in as well as charge the batteries. Something like this: WFCO is what comes in every commercial camper trailer I've ever seen. There are only a few different brands that do them, and they have differing current ratings (DC output ratings) for the needed load.

Don

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[strider3700]

Thanks guys,

for the charge converter if you look at this one by the same company it's almost identical to what is already in the trailer
http://www.amazon.com/WFCO-WF8955PEC-Center-Converter-Charger/dp/B004BC9ABS/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_3 right down to the brown color. Just a different fuse/breaker layout.

Just the bottom half is empty as they left the distribution center and pulled out the charge converter. Some research suggest that the standard RV charge converters are not the best option which is why I was looking at the 3 stage charger. I don't mind running the lights from the batteries and charging them from the charger when it's plugged in. the only thing that directly needs to run off of 120V is the fridge when plugged in.

 

[skersfan]

Contact Frank Bear, at Vintage Technologies. He sells a Progressive Dynamics Box that charges, maintains, has room for 6 breakers and has 12 12volt fused circuits. I use them in my trailers. They are bullet proof, smart technology, and are very reasonable for what you get. Simple to wire. I have not found anything even close to the quality, and dependability. I am not into the Bass Pro shop Marine battery chargers/types. Cost way too much and only do one thing. I think the whole system is less than 175.00. It is centralized, clean. Just need to keep it out of the weather. I love them.

Here is the link.

http://www.progressivedyn.com/rv_products.html