Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

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Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

August 04, 2020, 03:03:57 pm

I hooked up the Shore Power for the first time since purchasing the rig. There is a definite buzz going on that I believe is coming from the Converter. The buzzing is the loudest when I am standing inside the coach at the exit stair/doorway. I have looked in all of the under floor storage bays and don't see what looks like it could be the converter? Could someone tell me where this thing lives and how to get to it?

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #1 – August 04, 2020, 03:05:38 pm

On our '92/240 it was hid under the steps. You had to crawl in from the drivers side to get to it.

Mike

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #2 – August 04, 2020, 03:13:13 pm

I was so afraid that would be the case...I stood at the door looking at the steps hearing the buzzzz thinking could it really be under there?? Thank you so much I'll crawl under there and take a look.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #3 – August 04, 2020, 03:14:18 pm

Correct-- first bay behind the generator compartment. Look all the way in on the back wall. That was the OE location.

Of course, many have upgraded from the original converter to either smart charger or inverter/chargers. In that case, you may have to search.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #4 – August 04, 2020, 03:17:28 pm

Thanks Brett. I have read just about every post about those conversions and I believe that mine will still be the original under there. I think a conversion may be in the cards.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #5 – August 04, 2020, 03:38:02 pm

What do you know, there it is! I couldn't see it until I pulled the basement slide out. Mike and Brett, you probably saved me a couple of hours of crawling around in search of the darn thing. Thank you!

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #6 – August 04, 2020, 03:48:02 pm

Crawl in there and read the brand and model.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #7 – August 04, 2020, 04:11:27 pm

At 6'4" 290 lbs that is a tight fit!! I was able to get a couple of close up pictures of the unit before backing out of there.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #8 – August 04, 2020, 04:30:02 pm

A closer look at the label. MagneTek TU-775-2 Converter Charger

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #9 – August 04, 2020, 04:33:09 pm

Sadly, I believe that is the OE "stupid" converter.

It may be adequate for your needs, but you may consider upgrading to a smart charger or inverter/charger.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #10 – August 04, 2020, 05:16:54 pm

Yes I am considering doing just that. The "stupid" thing is Buzzzing like crazy.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #11 – August 04, 2020, 05:51:39 pm

And, it doesn't know the difference between a fully charged battery and one that is deeply discharged.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #12 – August 04, 2020, 06:09:25 pm

Quote from: CRDavis – August 04, 2020, 04:11:27 pm

At 6'4" 290 lbs that is a tight fit!! I was able to get a couple of close up pictures of the unit before backing out of there.

That's where mine is located ('93 U225); I'm sure it's OE also. When I go in there, I go in on the Joey bed; and I have my wife pull me out.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #13 – August 04, 2020, 06:38:11 pm

Quote from: rworley – August 04, 2020, 06:09:25 pm

That's where mine is located ('93 U225); I'm sure it's OE also. When I go in there, I go in on the Joey bed; and I have my wife pull me out.

Good thing you are not in TIME OUT! Not a nice place to spend the evening.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #14 – August 04, 2020, 06:43:19 pm

Quote from: CRDavis – August 04, 2020, 04:11:27 pm

At 6'4" 290 lbs that is a tight fit!!

Just open the basement door on the other side by the step well. Doing this will make you think that you are out in the wide open.

Mike

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #15 – August 05, 2020, 08:29:56 am

Yes Mike....Just like being out in the wide open if I was rolled up in a carpet.

Craig

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #16 – August 05, 2020, 09:26:38 pm

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – August 04, 2020, 06:43:19 pm

Just open the basement door on the other side by the step well. Doing this will make you think that you are out in the wide open.

Mike

Yeah. That works. Makes me feel slightly less claustrophobic. But I found the valve for the air hose!

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #17 – August 05, 2020, 09:27:40 pm

Quote from: Old Toolmaker – August 05, 2020, 09:26:38 pm

Yeah. That works. Makes me feel slightly less claustrophobic. But I found the valve for the air hose!

Ya, and don't hesitate to replace that air hose GATE VALVE with a quality ball valve.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #18 – August 05, 2020, 09:34:50 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – August 05, 2020, 09:27:40 pm

Ya, and don't hesitate to replace that air hose GATE VALVE with a quality ball valve.

I have a repair hierarchy and if I don't touch that valve it works fine. I out grew touching stuff 40 years ago.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #19 – August 05, 2020, 09:41:22 pm

Yes they buzz, killed many batteries long ago. New inverter/ charger

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #20 – August 05, 2020, 09:46:58 pm

Quote from: Old Toolmaker – August 05, 2020, 09:34:50 pm

I have a repair hierarchy and if I don't touch that valve it works fine. I out grew touching stuff 40 years ago.

You are lucky-- many of those gate valves leak. Check both around the valve packing and out the hose with the valve closes.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #21 – August 06, 2020, 12:32:57 am

My inverter and charger are separate also and frankly I like it that way. Here how it works on the Starship. On shore power there is a 20 amp receptacle mounted on the roof of the bay. You can see it just left of the threaded rod. Have a Progressive Industries smart charger for the house batteries and a Tekonsha charger for the start battery and as soon as I plug in they do there thing. When I'm off grid on solar have a Blue Sea M-ACR battery combiner that keeps it up. If the solar can't keep up I start the generator so effectively have shore power. Draw on the start battery very low. I think the only draw is the in dash stereo

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #22 – August 06, 2020, 08:40:10 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – August 05, 2020, 09:46:58 pm

You are lucky-- many of those gate valves leak. Check both around the valve packing and out the hose with the valve closes.

Oh, Brett, the valve is installed in the proper direction and has been closed since we moved in. I know that opening that valve is a trap. We carry a pancake compressor.

Yesterday, I browsed PD 9260s and came to the conclusion that $220 is a good price. Then thought about it and that's a want and I have three tasks that I need to finish first.

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #23 – August 06, 2020, 02:30:52 pm

We had to replace ours two years ago. Not sure if it was the same model as yours but was in the same tight space. We got a Boondocker BD 1275C (75 Amp 4-Stage Converter/Charger) form Best RV and Truck Supply. The unit was $199 then, looks to still be the same price. $68.00 to FedEx it overnight. They were great to work with.

Boondocker BD 1275CL (75 Amp 4-Stage Converter/Charger)

Re: Converter Location 1993 U-240 Grand Villa

Reply #24 – September 15, 2024, 04:20:27 pm

I don't know why I didn't see this 4 years ago but it might be time to either get over my claustrophobia or hire a midget.

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