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Topic: Accessing the converter on my '93 U225 (Read 721 times) previous topic - next topic

Accessing the converter on my '93 U225

This is remarkably annoying. I can HEAR the converter humming when I have shore power on. It sounds like it's right under the entry stairs. But I cannot find a way to get to it. I looked in the adjacent basement areas and nothing is obvious. The noise is very loud in the area where the air hose is located. I want to determine what type of converter/charger I have so I know whether or not to replace it with a smart charger.

Can anyone throw me a clue?  :)

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Accessing the converter on my '93 U225

Reply #1 –
Access it from the DRIVER'S side.  You will have to remove stuff from the basement in the first compartment behind the generator.

It is all the way in that bay, as you say, immediately under stair area.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Accessing the converter on my '93 U225

Reply #2 –
It is the compartment behind the generator compartment, if set up like my '94.  About 3/4 of the way in.  You will need to crawl in on you belly.  And you are probably not going to like why you find unless the po changed it out.  Many of us have gone with the Progressive Dynamics  9100 or 9200 series INTELI-POWER converters.  RV Power Converter/Chargers
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Accessing the converter on my '93 U225

Reply #3 –
Ok thanks you guys... I was wondering if I might have better luck from the other side. I have a slider in that compartment so I can just pull myself in. Should be interesting.

I am planning to replace it with a Progressive Dynamics unit; I'm pretty sure (from the way it's humming) that it's not a smart charger and I want to get it out as soon as I can identify it.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Accessing the converter on my '93 U225

Reply #4 –
Craig,
  Here's a couple of photos from a 93 225. I had just replaced the old pos with a three stage type. Worked a lot better. As others have said, you have to crawl in there to get at it. I removed our joey bed for better access. Also, one of the photos shows the small compartment just aft of the fuel tank. If you stick your head in there and look to your left, there it is. One other thing: You may have to replace the stock 15 amp outlet with a 20 amp as some of the new chargers use the 20 amp plug. Good luck with your project.
jor

93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Accessing the converter on my '93 U225

Reply #5 –
I installed a half slide into the bay that you have to crawl into, and found that the style of slide had an easily removable rear wall.  You may not need to remove your entire slide to crawl into the bay.  Mine has a 1/2" lip on the metal drawer slide back edge, but some foam would make that not too painful.  Those slide systems are sort of heavy and a pain to handle, in and out of the bay.

After installing a half deep slide I built a "wagon" with side walls and casters and attached it to the slide to follow the slide out drawer.  The used half slide unit and the wagon work great, and only very seldom used things ride and live on the wagon.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)
 

Re: Accessing the converter on my '93 U225

Reply #6 –
Quote from: jor –
Craig,
  Here's a couple of photos from a 93 225. I had just replaced the old pos with a three stage type. Worked a lot better. As others have said, you have to crawl in there to get at it. I removed our joey bed for better access. Also, one of the photos shows the small compartment just aft of the fuel tank. If you stick your head in there and look to your left, there it is. One other thing: You may have to replace the stock 15 amp outlet with a 20 amp as some of the new chargers use the 20 amp plug. Good luck with your project.
jor

Jor... that looks like *exactly* my setup. Thanks for the photos. I may have to remove the joey bed on our unit too... I am not as slender as I used to be! :P

I appreciate all this information. All of those second hand SOBs out there with no support group to speak of and we get this incredibly valuable resource. Plus, of course, Barry!

I knew ten years ago that if I were ever to get a motor home it would be a Foretravel based on looks alone. Little did I realize just what all I'd be getting.

Thanks to all of you!

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."