| Author | Message | ||
| Douglas Tappan (Dougthebonifiedbusnut)
Registered Member Username: Dougthebonifiedbusnut Post Number: 152 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 98.216.56.188  Rating: N/A |
Hey All, I am installing a converter and want the ability to manualy switch from the converter while at shore power to battery power while underway and I want to use a simple 4pole double throw manual knife switch (kiss).I would like 30 amp minimum @12vdc but would like something a little beafier. what can someone suggest as to where to get one. | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 396 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 67.141.71.22  Rating: N/A |
Why? Depending on what brand of converter, it will automatically switch from converting to a pass through 12V. There is no need to switch it. | ||
| Douglas Tappan (Dougthebonifiedbusnut)
Registered Member Username: Dougthebonifiedbusnut Post Number: 153 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 98.216.56.188 Rating: N/A |
Cause I want to take my start batts out of the loop while on shore power so as not to cook them. Am I missing something? | ||
| Bill 340 (Bill_340)
Registered Member Username: Bill_340 Post Number: 136 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.224.15.69  Rating: N/A |
you can run 3 single receptacles under a cabinet, then plug your breaker box in to which ever you want to use, I do and its fail proof, 2nd bus that way, | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 1261 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 173.202.4.145  Rating: N/A |
Doug, If your new converter has a 3 or 4 stage charger your batteries will not cook. If it is an old one like mine see the next paragraph. I just installed a Progressive Dynamics PD4645 45 Amp Converter Upgrade Section in my ancient Magnetek 6300A Model 6345 converter. The upgrade has a 4-stage charger that will not overcharge batteries. The original Magnetek converter charger would boil off the batteries so I had stopped using it. Now when I'm on the road I don't have to do anything, it is all automatic. I do, however, have a switch that separates the start and house batteries. Every bus should have this battery isolation setup regardless of converter/inverter type for both safety and maintenance purposes. I also have a separate battery disconnect switch on each battery for the same purposes. | ||
| Brian Evans (Bevans6)
Registered Member Username: Bevans6 Post Number: 15 Registered: 5-2009 Posted From: 65.92.54.2 Rating: N/A |
Are you switching the DC connection that powers the inverter, or the AC output? If the DC connection, I used a Marine type battery switch rated at 300 amps, http://www.bellrpg.net/bluewater/MA/group.asp?MAJ=011&PRI=010&SEC=058 Brian | ||
| Jim Sanders (Sandy)
Registered Member Username: Sandy Post Number: 37 Registered: 1-2011 Posted From: 69.199.96.250  Rating: N/A |
hey guys My holiday rambler RV came equeptd with an isolator(cmp world) This isolates the house bat from your chg sys. but lets your alt. Chg both while driving.But it dont isolate your house bat chg. while driving???????????? Dal you have allmost got me into converters. Which one?????? | ||
| Jim Sanders (Sandy)
Registered Member Username: Sandy Post Number: 38 Registered: 1-2011 Posted From: 69.199.96.250 Rating: N/A |
Hey guys From every thing i hear a 3 or 4 stage charger(house) WILL NOT boil your batteries dry???? Dal i have a lot of questions concerning Converters hook up NO WAY can you have the Gen runnihg and c0nverter on at the same time??????? | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 397 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 67.141.71.22 Rating: N/A |
Jim, A converter changes from 120V AC to 12VDC, mine (WFCO 9845's), have 4 stage charge capabilities, and operate when on any AC power except for the inverter. I haven't had to add water to either my house or start batteries for 2 years as of February 26th. The bus hasn't been plugged in since before you came over, but I'm certain the batteries are still up and able to power up the systems with no problem. Using a battery isolator can cause problems by itself, since it will have a significant voltage drop between one set of batteries and the other. This will cause one set to over charge or one set to under charge.... always. Each of us does it our own way, and mine may not be the best, but it works for me. My last set of batteries lasted 9 years and this set of batteries has lasted 4 years. I hope to get 5 more years out of them. | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 1262 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 173.202.3.82 Rating: N/A |
Jim, Why not?? | ||
| Jim Sanders (Sandy)
Registered Member Username: Sandy Post Number: 40 Registered: 1-2011 Posted From: 69.199.96.250 Rating: N/A |
Gus the sine wave would conflict!!!???? how could you sincornize(spelling) the two???? | ||
| Jim Sanders (Sandy)
Registered Member Username: Sandy Post Number: 41 Registered: 1-2011 Posted From: 69.199.96.250 Rating: N/A |
Dal BATT CHG on my rambler is tied in to the DC leads in front of dist. pannel. There are 3 p0les on the isolater. the cabel from alt(eng)is tied to center one. The house batt.tied to one end. the eng batt to the opposite. Alt feeds the center pole.DC current goes through DIODS to feed the batt with least Resistant | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 403 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 67.141.71.22 Rating: N/A |
Jim, you are speaking of apples and Kiwi fruit. Again, a CONVERTER changes from AC to DC. An INVERTER changes from DC to AC. DC has no 'sinewave'. So it doesn't matter what the power source for it is, as long as it's not the same power source that's supplying the charge function for the batteries. Like in.. You can't in no way, no how, no way, not even with your Florida Second Cousins sister, charge the battery from an inverter that's connected to the same battery that your trying to charge. It just ain't gonna happen. You CAN charge your house batteries that are not connected to the source in any other way, (kinda). Come down here for the rally and we'll show you more than you ever wanted to know. Hooah! | ||
| Jim Sanders (Sandy)
Registered Member Username: Sandy Post Number: 42 Registered: 1-2011 Posted From: 69.199.96.250 Rating: N/A |
Dal I hear that there are isolaters on the mkt. that uses Relays?? Never saw one no experance with them. Priced one listed in my manuels. 300$ 80 amp capacety only. There is allwase a voltage drop accrose any Diode. Hope youse guys will forgive my spelling JIM | ||
| Jim Sanders (Sandy)
Registered Member Username: Sandy Post Number: 43 Registered: 1-2011 Posted From: 69.199.96.250 Rating: N/A |
Dal Excuse me in useing the term CONVERTER and thinking INVERTER..AS you can see i am not used to the terms Ro me a battery charger is a battery charger is ETC ETC ETC... INVERTERS I have never seen the use for.. in very rare cases it might be handy to use one and not start your gen. But this is unlikely??? | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 1264 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 173.202.47.207 Rating: N/A |
OK, So, can I keep my converter hooked up to the generator AC output while driving or should I shut off the AC power to the converter?? I usually run the genset underway to run the air conditioners. I can see how the converter battery charger could conflict with the engine alternator when the two are trying to charge the same batteries at the same time. I can connect my house batt with the start batt or not with a switch and solenoid. My converter manual says nothing at all about this situation so I just assumed it automatically compensates for it. |