Converter replacement

[Franswa]

I just googled and found a Xantrex Freedom 458 inverter charger....it was over 1000 dollars !!! and on Amazon at that !!!

[Raspy]

This might be a better choice, and even this one is bigger than most of us need

https://www.mygreenoutdoors.com/xant...0IwaApcX8P8HAQ

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Raspy

I'm surprised more people aren't (apparently) installing inverter/chargers. .............Thoughts?

My group 24 battery wouldn't last long.

[Radar1]

We ended up purchasing a WFCO WF-8735-P Brown 35 Amp Power Center to replace our failed converter. We had to enlarge the opening a little to slide it in, but it does fit well. One thing we like is that unlike the old unit that didn't breathe very well (it exhausted the warm air in the same area where it got the cooling air in our side dinette Scamp), this one pulls air from the aisle and exhausts it to the aisle which is never as hot as it was under the seat.

[Franswa]

still not cheap but certainly can see the logic,,,,makes perfect sense,,,especially if one was looking at a complete rebuild or upgrade of an electrical system

[Lorie Q]

Originally Posted by Radar1

We ended up purchasing a WFCO WF-8735-P Brown 35 Amp Power Center to replace our failed converter. We had to enlarge the opening a little to slide it in, but it does fit well. One thing we like is that unlike the old unit that didn't breathe very well (it exhausted the warm air in the same area where it got the cooling air in our side dinette Scamp), this one pulls air from the aisle and exhausts it to the aisle which is never as hot as it was under the seat.

This looks great and more affordable. Thanks for the link!

[Defenestrator]

One thing to watch out for with the "smart chargers" designed to fill or maintain a battery rather than the ones specifically designed for RVs/boats: some of them are designed with the assumption of no load on the battery. Once the battery's charged, they go into "float" mode with lower voltage and low amperage, and don't switch back to a bulk charge even if a load comes online and partially drains the battery.

[Lorie Q]

Originally Posted by Defenestrator

One thing to watch out for with the "smart chargers" designed to fill or maintain a battery rather than the ones specifically designed for RVs/boats: some of them are designed with the assumption of no load on the battery. Once the battery's charged, they go into "float" mode with lower voltage and low amperage, and don't switch back to a bulk charge even if a load comes online and partially drains the battery.

Can you tell me how to know if this is the case? Is there a specification I should look out for that will tell me if it manages the float even with a load ?

[Defenestrator]

Unfortunately, I don't think it's a specific feature you'd find on a spec sheet. Anything designed for boats or RVs (so, anything marked "converter/charger") will be fine. That WFCO linked above will definitely do. Anything designed to be mounted permanently someplace is probably fine.
If it's just being sold as a "battery charger" or especially "battery tender" it's a bit riskier. The Noco Genius linked on the previous page might not do a good job under load, and the Schumacher chargers definitely won't (though as an actual battery tender, they're great)

[Lorie Q]

I ordered the WFCO. Hopefully I'll be back in business in a couple of weekends. Thanks everyone, for the input!

[Lorie Q]

I replaced the American converter with the WFCO in the link above in my 2004 Scamp 16' all by myself. Feeling more educated and empowered and even swapped out my lights for LED all around for about $160 from Amazon. I had to cut the opening about a half inch taller with a carbide bit in a jigsaw to fit the new unit and bought a main breaker, but other than that it was a direct swap. Before connecting shore power, I did ask a knowledgeable neighbor to come check my work. Everything has tested out and working great now. Could not have made his progress without this forum. [emoji851][emoji2][emoji373][emoji322]

[Paul O.]

Good for you!

[Radar1]

Originally Posted by Lorie Q

I replaced the American converter with the WFCO in the link above in my 2004 Scamp 16' all by myself. Feeling more educated and empowered and even swapped out my lights for LED all around for about $160 from Amazon. I had to cut the opening about a half inch taller with a carbide bit in a jigsaw to fit the new unit and bought a main breaker, but other than that it was a direct swap. Before connecting shore power, I did ask a knowledgeable neighbor to come check my work. Everything has tested out and working great now. Could not have made his progress without this forum. [emoji851][emoji2][emoji373][emoji322]

Great job, that was quick!