|
06-20-2011, 09:18 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Lite House
Posts: 282
|
Replacement converter/charger
I am wondering if anyone has experience replacing an old MagneTek converter with a Parallax converter/charger? Parallax has a model that is the same form factor as the MagneTek. We want to do the replacement because of the loud hum from the MagneTek. Here is a link to the spec sheet for the Parallax unit: http://www.parallaxpower.com/6700/PP...20brochure.pdf
Thanks, Davie
|
|
|
06-20-2011, 09:24 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,707
|
The only thing I know about electricity, is you plug it in... if the cord doesn't fit .... turn it over. I did a simple search for Magnatek/Paralax and came up with this: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ems-35401.html Don't know if it will help... if not, turn the cord over
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
|
|
|
06-20-2011, 10:04 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 7,056
|
If or maybe I should say when my converter dies or maybe before that time this is what I'll replace it with.
Amazon.com: Battery Tender 021-0123 Battery Tender Junior 12V Battery Charger: Automotive
I'd keep the fuse and circuit breaker panels as they are and take out the current electronics.
The reason is this type of device is a much better battery charger than the converters are. I ruined one battery by under charging for about 3 months. Now I use one this type of device along with the converter. I suppose I could go trip the breaker to the converter.
__________________
Byron & Anne enjoying the everyday Saturday thing.
|
|
|
06-21-2011, 02:41 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 1991 17 ft Horizon
Posts: 764
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman
If or maybe I should say when my converter dies or maybe before that time this is what I'll replace it with.
Amazon.com: Battery Tender 021-0123 Battery Tender Junior 12V Battery Charger: Automotive
I'd keep the fuse and circuit breaker panels as they are and take out the current electronics.
The reason is this type of device is a much better battery charger than the converters are. I ruined one battery by under charging for about 3 months. Now I use one this type of device along with the converter. I suppose I could go trip the breaker to the converter.
|
I couldn't agree with Byron more, as I've done the same thing. I also did this battery charger thing on an older Scamp that I had before, and it worked just fine. IMO there is no need to have a converter, especially if you have converted over your light bulbs to LED's which save you a ton of battery power. And on my newly aquired 96 Scamp I'll be putting in a smart charger instead of a converter.
|
|
|
06-21-2011, 02:58 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Name: jim
Trailer: 2022 Escape19 pulled by 2014 Dodge Ram Hemi Sport
Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,710
|
If you do decide to replace your converter, how hard is it? I assume you have to disconnect the old and rewire the new?
|
|
|
06-21-2011, 04:28 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 7,056
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
If you do decide to replace your converter, how hard is it? I assume you have to disconnect the old and rewire the new?
|
In my case the most difficult thing is standing on my head while doing the rewiring. The converter is under the street side dinette bench.
__________________
Byron & Anne enjoying the everyday Saturday thing.
|
|
|
06-21-2011, 06:17 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 2009 Scamp 16 ft / 2003 Durango
Posts: 696
|
Byron,
I just put a cushion on the floor and lay down.
It is eaiser than standing on my head.
Bill K
Quote:
Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman
In my case the most difficult thing is standing on my head while doing the rewiring. The converter is under the street side dinette bench.
|
|
|
|
06-22-2011, 09:06 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 7,056
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill K
Byron,
I just put a cushion on the floor and lay down.
It is eaiser than standing on my head.
Bill K
|
That would work if I removed the bench.
__________________
Byron & Anne enjoying the everyday Saturday thing.
|
|
|
06-23-2011, 06:15 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 2009 Scamp 16 ft / 2003 Durango
Posts: 696
|
Yours must be completely different from mine.
Bill K
Quote:
Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman
That would work if I removed the bench.
|
|
|
|
06-23-2011, 11:23 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 1977 Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 267
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Davie B
I am wondering if anyone has experience replacing an old MagneTek converter with a Parallax converter/charger? Parallax has a model that is the same form factor as the MagneTek. We want to do the replacement because of the loud hum from the MagneTek. Here is a link to the spec sheet for the Parallax unit: http://www.parallaxpower.com/6700/PP...20brochure.pdf
Thanks, Davie
|
As far as I know the Paralax is suppose to be a more or less "Plug & Play" Replacement for the old MagneTek converters. The instructions for installation that were in the box for the one I was looking at were pretty easy to follow. In my case my trailer had no existing converter, so I went with a new WFCO 25A complete center and mounted it on the side of the sink cabinet. I was skeptical on the quality considering the unit runs for <$100 but 2 years in and its performing fantastically!
|
|
|
06-30-2011, 10:53 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Lite House
Posts: 282
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by David Morgan
As far as I know the Paralax is suppose to be a more or less "Plug & Play" Replacement for the old MagneTek converters. The instructions for installation that were in the box for the one I was looking at were pretty easy to follow. In my case my trailer had no existing converter, so I went with a new WFCO 25A complete center and mounted it on the side of the sink cabinet. I was skeptical on the quality considering the unit runs for <$100 but 2 years in and its performing fantastically!
|
How is the noise level of the new converter? The main reason I'm replacing the converter is because the old one has a loud transformer hum. It dosen't bother me much but the wife likes to sleep with the sound of nature.
|
|
|
06-30-2011, 11:10 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 1977 Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 267
|
The WFCO is solid state so it is quiet. There is however a fan that varies in speed depending on the load. As long as im not running much over 1-2 amps its totally quiet. If my battery is drained it runs hard till it's toped off then the fan shuts off. It is a 3 stage charger so it is really gentle on the battery. I think I remember a fan in the parallax unit as well. But I can't say how loud it would be or when it runs. The WFCO fan is pretty quiet, if your converter is humming that loud I would suspect it should be replaced anyway. The old converters are not the best at charging batteries or running modern electronics anyhow. Its one of those items I always recommend updating. For us everything is usually turned off at night so so my converter is idle and the fan is not running -it's totally quiet.. Hope that answers you're questions?
|
|
|
06-30-2011, 05:09 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Lite House
Posts: 282
|
Thanks. An audiophile friend suggested that I take the transformer out, soak it in cleaner and then soak it in varnish to make the hum go away. I like your suggestion better.
|
|
|
06-30-2011, 05:25 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 1977 Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 267
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Davie B
Thanks. An audiophile friend suggested that I take the transformer out, soak it in cleaner and then soak it in varnish to make the hum go away. I like your suggestion better.
|
Wow.. I like you're friend! He sounds old school! Those guys usually like the hum you can do that at it may very well work too. But it's still an old inefficient transformer. Audio guys are cool cause they are they are the last few that know and understand how to repair analog equipment. Which is a dying art form.
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Upcoming Events |
No events scheduled in the next 465 days.
|
|