Replacement converter/charger

[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

[Donna D.]

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

[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.

[Tim Wood]

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.

[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?

[Byron Kinnaman]

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.

[Bill K]

Byron,
I just put a cushion on the floor and lay down.
It is eaiser than standing on my head.

Bill K

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.

[Byron Kinnaman]

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.

[Bill K]

Yours must be completely different from mine.

Bill K

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

That would work if I removed the bench.

[David Morgan]

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!

[Davie B]

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.

[David Morgan]

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?

[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.

[David Morgan]

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.