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Old 11-13-2013, 06:11 PM   #1
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converter ?

Hey guys i have a 1978 Trillium 4500 it seems to have a 10amp converter it is not hooked up to a battery it is use just with Shore power (came this way and that's fine for our needs) i would like to up grade to 30amps and looking for something that's plug and play for the most part is their any thing on the market that will fit my needs ? size i no problem as i'm very handy and can make it fit. all the wires seem to have been updated with in the last 10 years and are in good shape.
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Old 11-13-2013, 08:49 PM   #2
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All I can say is Progressive Dynamics PD-4045. Go back into the past months posts and there is a ton of inf on them. I have installed 6-7 without issues.



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Old 11-13-2013, 08:54 PM   #3
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Bob, I curious, are you getting a commission or finders fee from Progressive Dynamics?
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Old 11-14-2013, 05:47 AM   #4
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I read about the 4045 what I don't get is why everyone makes a separate component for their 12 volt wires?
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Old 11-14-2013, 06:37 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by cheenyc View Post
I read about the 4045 what I don't get is why everyone makes a separate component for their 12 volt wires?
It's not separate on the pd-4045. It does all of it. I swapped mine over, no complaints. I looked around for a week doing research and didn't find one more suitable for the job.
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Old 11-14-2013, 07:06 AM   #6
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Nope, no payments and I have to search for best price myself when buying them.

It's just that: a) There is a lot of junque out there in converters that are price based to temp buyers, & builders, b) The PD4045 & PD4060 provided 95% of everything the smaller RV needs in a power distribution system, c) I have installed enough of them to know a good thing when I see it, and (d) at less than $200, it's a no brainer for value.

So, when the same question is asked, the same answer is appropriate, and I can amaze myself with my consistency on the topic.... LOL

I know someone will ask, so here are my suggestions for what I might add to get closer to 100%.... 1. A remote digital readout of battery voltage w/settable alarms (a la Voltminder) 2. External terminal strips for dc loads rather than the individual leads 3. A DC Ground buss and 4. a better terminal strip arrangement for AC neutral & ground wires. No real biggies.

If anyone knows of a better solution, for less than twice that price, let us all know.



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Old 11-14-2013, 10:41 AM   #7
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James, I really like the Progressive Dynamics PD4645 converter put into this Trillium 4500. It looks like an elegant solution to me:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ter-48962.html

The DC fuses are mounted behind the bin that is just inside the door.
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Old 11-14-2013, 10:53 AM   #8
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As mentioned in the literature, the PD-4645 fits into SOME existing converters as an upgrade for the DC and charging system and, in some cases will provide additional fuses for DC power.

But, at about $200, it costs more than a PD-4045 and you get a lot more additional features, more DC circuits and room for more AC circuits with the PD-4045 as well.
Amazon.com: Progressive Dynamics PD4645 4600 Series 45 Amp Converter Upgrade Section: Automotive



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Old 11-14-2013, 11:02 AM   #9
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If you read the thread, the OP did not put it in an existing converter. The beauty of the PD-4645 is that it fits where the original converter was. Some bubble gum and bailing twine is required to deal with the DC fuses, and no provision for AC breakers, but those can be dealt with on their own.
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Old 11-14-2013, 11:38 AM   #10
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First, I read the posts and saw the pics and can say that I can't support the "Bubble Gum &Bailing Wire" approach to anything dealing with an RV.

I installed two of the PD-4645 upgrade kits in existing converter panels in Toyota Sunraders before I found the PD4045 and have never looked back.

Moreover, in this case, doing it right results in a better installation as well as costing less to accomplish.



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Old 11-14-2013, 11:49 AM   #11
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I read about the 4045 what I don't get is why everyone makes a separate component for their 12 volt wires?
Because they can and not stuck bundling stuff together. It just like cars. in the old days you had few fuses blow one and your likly to stop in your tracks. Now days seperate circuts blow one the fan stops but the lights stay on. You like it bundled together you dont have to seperate anything. Just because you have more slots you dont have to use them. The 4045 just gives you the option without having to add another buss if you want to expand. My case when I rewired my 13 foot Scamp I used all but one 12 volt fuse just because I could. Probably added 10 lbs to my trailer and kept the copper industry happy.
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Old 11-14-2013, 12:27 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Miller View Post
First, I read the posts and saw the pics and can say that I can't support the "Bubble Gum &Bailing Wire" approach to anything dealing with an RV.

I installed two of the PD-4645 upgrade kits in existing converter panels in Toyota Sunraders before I found the PD4045 and have never looked back.

Moreover, in this case, doing it right results in a better installation as well as costing less to accomplish.
Since you read it, why the comment about it fitting in SOME converters?

What are the dimensions of a PD4045?

Where in a 4500, which the OP owns, do you propose to put such a large panel?
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Old 11-14-2013, 12:46 PM   #13
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Yes I want to pull the old converter out and have a whole new power source . I want some thing that would give me 30 amps at shore power and may or may not hook up a battery at a later date but I must likely wont. But I want to take the old 10 amp converter out as well as the face plate with it's push button breakers.
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Old 11-14-2013, 12:48 PM   #14
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Old 11-14-2013, 01:12 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cheenyc View Post
Hey guys i have a 1978 Trillium 4500 it seems to have a 10amp converter it is not hooked up to a battery it is use just with Shore power (came this way and that's fine for our needs) i would like to up grade to 30amps and looking for something that's plug and play for the most part is their any thing on the market that will fit my needs ? size i no problem as i'm very handy and can make it fit. all the wires seem to have been updated with in the last 10 years and are in good shape.
If what you have meets your needs why "upgrade"? Is it an upgrade if what you have already meets your needs?
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Old 11-14-2013, 01:31 PM   #16
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The converter, in the thread that I posted, I see more as a battery charger that supplies 12VDC to the trailer as well. It comes in three flavors, 55, 45, and 35 Amp. They are all the same size. I personally don't see a need for more then 35 Amp, but I guess it depends on what you want to do.

I gotta agree with Byron, If what you have works, why change? Also, the 10 amps that you refer to is the 120VAC breaker rating on the converter. I think the actual 12VDC current output is lower then that. The documentation that I found shows a 6 A or 9 A DC output, ~ 100W. Enough for the lights, not much more.
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/d...rConverter.pdf

I suspect that at the prices for this unit, a solar install will come before any converter upgrade for me. All of my Trillium trailers, that have a converter, have the same one as in your picture.
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Old 11-14-2013, 01:34 PM   #17
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We will see soon if it meets our needs. But I don't think it will as it has a dorm room fridge and I will be using a 5000 btu ac will need laptop charge phones, TV
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Old 11-14-2013, 01:57 PM   #18
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James, I think you are mixing up the 12 VDC and the 120VAC.

The 5000 btu air conditioner that I found was a little over 500 watts. The starting current will be higher, but a circuit breaker should tolerate more for a short period. The bar fridge should be no more then 150 watts. A total of 650 watts divided by the voltage, 120 VAC gives around 5.5 amps. This is well under the 10 amp capacity of the breaker. My 1500 W ceramic heater sets off the breaker, but I can just run a 12/3 extension cord in the bottom of the door. This gives me the full 15 amps that can be supplied from the current bush.

The DC side of things might include a car charger for your electronics, lights, a roof vent fan, electric blanket ...... I have yet to overload the 12 DC output of the converter.
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Old 11-14-2013, 02:56 PM   #19
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Since you read it, why the comment about it fitting in SOME converters?

What are the dimensions of a PD4045?

Where in a 4500, which the OP owns, do you propose to put such a large panel?
------------------------------------------------------------------

1. The comment about "some" converters is from the PD web site. The 4645 was dimensioned to fit certain families of early converter enclosures, but won't fit in all due to size restraints in one or more directions.

2. The PD website lists all dimensions and specifications.

www.progressivedyn.com/power_converters

3. I see in the same thread referenced above, Post #5, that Normand installed a PD-4045 in his Trillium. If I had images and dimensions of the op's Trillium I am sure a solution could be found to do the job. That said, I wouldn't install any electrical equipment directly under the furnace anyway.



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Old 11-14-2013, 04:06 PM   #20
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Yes Dave i'm talking about 120VAC the only 12 VDC we have in the camper is a fan( and lights ?). we have not yet gone camper with the Trillium so i'm just checking it all out before we do. We wont be using to much stuff but i would like to run an ac, tv and fridge at the same time.
guess i can always use a 30amp pigtail on the camper for Shore power and plug the ac in to a extension cord and plug in to the 15 amps of Shore power. I'm new to camping so don't know the in's and out's yet. Thanks guys.
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