Trillium POwer Converter

[idlebabyboomer]

My older Trillium has a Progressive Dynamics Inc Model PD6921 power converter and it needs replacing...What is the recommended substitution ??

[KevinWA]

what is is doing? or not doing? humming? blown fuse?

mine was making a humming noise..that was cured with a new 12volt simple fuse holder.

do not use it to charge a battery.

good luck

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by idlebabyboomer

My older Trillium has a Progressive Dynamics Inc Model PD6921 power converter and it needs replacing...What is the recommended substitution ??

I wouldn't replace it. I turned mine off completely. When at home I have a "battery tender" that keeps the battery charged. I carry a small battery charger that if connected to electricity could be used to charge the battery. The battery gets charged when towing. If I'm someplace more than 3 days I drag out my portable solar panel.

The reason I turned it off... After being plugged in for a couple days and not using the furnace, then turning on the furnace the fan would surge, the newly installed LED fixtures would flicker in sync with the surging fan. Turned off the converter everything worked great and still does. I won't go into the technical description of what was going on unless somebody wants me to.

[KevinWA]

thank you for the advice byron............so do you feel it is safe to say that the old PD power converter does not "like " LED bulbs? do you think it was just yours ?

i was thinking of installing LED bulbs but I will hold off if ,they do not work so good with old low tech converter.....must have somthing to do with sin waves bla bla bla.

thank you.

[Bob Miller]

Replacement Power Chassis
I routinely replace older chassis with the Progressive Dynamics 4000 series Power Control Centers. The PD 4045, with 45 amps of DC power has more than enough for any of the trailers. This unit has a built in smart charger, slots for up to 6 A/C breakers and 12 pre-wired DC outputs, each with a dedicated fuse. It's easy to install and can be found on-line for less than $175. I have installed 5 of them in trailers and small motorhomes in the past year.

[Bananaman]

I know this is an old thread but I am hoping someone can help on this.

I have run a PD6000 distribution centre from the batteries (two 6v deep cycle wired in series) for all of the 12v lighting and accessories. I was thinking of using the original PD6911 W2 to charge the system when plugged in. I had replaced the fuse block and switch, it is working fine.

Why would it not make a good charger ? Is it a matter of over-charging, under-charging, charging too slow or too fast ?

Originally Posted by KevinWA

what is is doing? or not doing? humming? blown fuse?

mine was making a humming noise..that was cured with a new 12volt simple fuse holder.

do not use it to charge a battery.

good luck

[David Tilston]

The old Progressive Dynamics converters have no smarts. They are basically a 120 VAC to 12 VAC transformer, with a full wave bridge. They make terrible battery chargers. They will keep charging till your battery has boiled dry. I am not exactly sure how, but my converter does not even try to charge my battery. If i have the converter on, the voltage at the battery does not change. Maybe there is a diode that only allows power to come from the battery, but not to the battery?

That being said, I use the original converter in my Trilliums to power my LED lights, and Fantastic fan. No problems. No buzz.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

The old Progressive Dynamics converters have no smarts. They are basically a 120 VAC to 12 VAC transformer, with a full wave bridge. They make terrible battery chargers. They will keep charging till your battery has boiled dry. I am not exactly sure how, but my converter does not even try to charge my battery. If i have the converter on, the voltage at the battery does not change. Maybe there is a diode that only allows power to come from the battery, but not to the battery?

That being said, I use the original converter in my Trilliums to power my LED lights, and Fantastic fan. No problems. No buzz.

FYI, David:

I added a charging-only module to my OEM converter. It's worked very well for the six or seven years it's been in the trailer (and on the same battery!). I described the arrangement in a 2011 thread, so if interested in the details it's post number 5 at this link

[Bananaman]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

FYI, David:

I added a charging-only module to my OEM converter. It's worked very well for the six or seven years it's been in the trailer (and on the same battery!). I described the arrangement in a 2011 thread, so if interested in the details it's post number 5 at this link

Thanks Francesca and David!

Now it makes sense, I am not sure why I didn't put my head around that initially. I have a plan now...

I don't know too much of the history on this particular trailer or if the wiring is "sketchy" on all of these units but I have already replaced much of the 12v dc system, and external lighting. I will be putting a proper distribution panel in for the 120v ac system as well.

[David Tilston]

Ken, I am going to tell you something that Bob Miller will vigorously argue with. I would be disappointied if he didn't.

This is the perfect, (almost) replacement for the Progressive Dynamics converter in a Trillium. I think Francesca has the best solution if your existing converter works, but this is what I recommend for your situation:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ter-48962.html

The almost perfect was concerning the DC fuse panel, and lack of AC distribution. I think I would install it different. Probably cut a hole to the left of the converters location. and mount the fuse board on standoffs, so they are almost flush with the surface of the fibreglass. I would cover this with a piece of Plexiglas, screwed down with countersunk screws. That, and a 120 VAC push button breaker, or two somewhere. Main, and however many branches. Breakers, much like the ones on most of the stock converters:
1/4&#34 Quick Connect Push Button Circuit Breaker

Also attached are pictures of the three converters that I have in Alberta.

[Bananaman]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

Ken, I am going to tell you something that Bob Miller will vigorously argue with. I would be disappointied if he didn't.

This is the perfect, (almost) replacement for the Progressive Dynamics converter in a Trillium. I think Francesca has the best solution if your existing converter works, but this is what I recommend for your situation:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ter-48962.html

The almost perfect was concerning the DC fuse panel, and lack of AC distribution. I think I would install it different. Probably cut a hole to the left of the converters location. and mount the fuse board on standoffs, so they are almost flush with the surface of the fibreglass. I would cover this with a piece of Plexiglas, screwed down with countersunk screws. That, and a 120 VAC push button breaker, or two somewhere. Main, and however many branches. Breakers, much like the ones on most of the stock converters:
1/4&#34 Quick Connect Push Button Circuit Breaker

Also attached are pictures of the three converters that I have in Alberta.

David,

I have the dc distribution panel installed under the seat next to the converter. I am re-routing the existing ( and new ) 12v to this panel from the batteries. This will serve as the hub for all of the 12v wiring.
I will install a proper AC distribution centre which will serve as a hub for the 120v wiring.
I as thinking that I would just "gut" a trickle charger that I have now to install in the PD6911 housing, and add solar if that doesn't keep up. But now I think that I will just go with the PD9245 or PD9260 ...

Thanks Again for the help !
Here's the distribution centre mounted (cover removed) :

[David Tilston]

Hmm... Your DC distrabution center is the same DC fuse board that comes with the PD4645. Except yours has a housing on it. I wonder if they would sell that separately? Can you post the instructions that came with your PD6000?

[Bananaman]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

Hmm... Your DC distrabution center is the same DC fuse board that comes with the PD4645. Except yours has a housing on it. I wonder if they would sell that separately? Can you post the instructions that came with your PD6000?

Sorry, actually this did not come with any instructions. So I went to the Progressive Dynamics website and there was nothing there either.

[Bob Miller]

I used the PD-9245 and the PD fuse panel in a very small Sunrader Adventure FGRV and it proved to be an excellent match-up.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?) Progressive Dynamics doesn't see it's customer base as the DIY/Electrical Novice and "assumes" that those that buy their products will be able to pick it up and know what to do with it. As a result, instructions are usually a bit skimpy, if present at all. But their phone support is decent and patient.....

[Bananaman]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

I used the PD-9245 and the PD fuse panel in a very small Sunrader Adventure FGRV and it proved to be an excellent match-up.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?) Progressive Dynamics doesn't see it's customer base as the DIY/Electrical Novice and "assumes" that those that buy their products will be able to pick it up and know what to do with it. As a result, instructions are usually a bit skimpy, if present at all. But their phone support is decent and patient.....

Well that pretty much settles it ... but the pricing on the PD-9245 and PD-9260 is so close, I will probably just go to the slightly larger unit considering the similar cost, size and weight.

Thanks ALL !
Ken