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Topic: 75amp Converter Charger (Read 642 times) previous topic - next topic

75amp Converter Charger

Does anyone have a photo and/or tech details of the 75amp converter/charger that would have originally come with an 88GV U280?
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #1 –
Don't know if this will help, but here's a few shots of the converter/charger that came in our '93 U280.  It was a "battery boiler" that killed the two 8D conventional flooded house batteries soon after I took ownership of the coach.  I was not (at that early point in my steep learning curve) aware of the dangers inherent in DUMB battery chargers.


1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #2 –
Thread linked below has photos of OEM battery charger in a '91 U300.

converter charger or inverter charger
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #3 –
I found this image in an older thread as well...appears to be a Parallax product.
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #4 –
That looks like a lot of the ones that I replaced on those years of coaches. I had probably a dozen at one time but think that I have finally gotten them all recycled.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #5 –
Even though it's working, it is on my shortlist to replace after I get the coach home. I'll likely just replace it and the inverter with the same AIMS Inverter/Charger I used on my last coach.
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #6 –
Probably just me but I would never dream of combining the charger and inverter. We have two 1500 watt inverters and the charger on the other side of the coach. Like to keep the eggs in different baskets.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Probably just me but I would never dream of combining the charger and inverter.

Not just you, we are installing a stand alone converter and PSW inverters for what appliances we want to run on our new battery system. Several here have went this way when it was time for an update.
Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Probably just me but I would never dream of combining the charger and inverter. We have two 1500 watt inverters and the charger on the other side of the coach. Like to keep the eggs in different baskets.

Pierce
I ran this 4000w AIMS on my FMC: AIMS Power PICOGLF40W12V120V, 4000 Watt Low Freq Inverter Charger, AIMS Power
I coupled it with a dedicated 270amp alternator and 580ah AGM battery bank, I powered my 9200btu roof air conditioner and refrigerator with this system while driving rather than running the generator and it worked great.
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #9 –
Installed and tested my 2500w AIMS inverter/charger yesterday. This is my 3rd AIMS unit and I've had excellent service from all of them, it runs as near silent as you could imagine, even when the fan runs it can't be heard when the bay doors are closed. The one thing that did take some time was re-configuring the circuits that the inverter powers...why Foretravel would choose to power the ice-maker and central vacuum with the inverter and not the refrigerator is beyond my comprehension....I corrected that.
This is the unit I have: AIMS Power PICOGLF25W12V120AL - InverterSupply.com
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #10 –
Len, do you know if the charger has a setting of lithium batteries? I helped a friend install one in his bus conversion. Don't remember the specs on the charger
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #11 –
I noticed that as the Magnum folks mentioned a while ago when I was talking to them that they have updated their new units to have a lithium-ion profile.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #12 –
these are the charging options, there are a bunch of youtube videos with guys using these same units to charge LI banks...not sure what range they use..
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #13 –
Part of the reason I replaced our coaches feb 97 production date was the early serial number freedom 25 did not have the capability of automatically adjusting the charging voltage as the temp changed. 

Most battery makers require temp compensating charging.

Watching my panel voltages on charging and float over time I have seen from 14 volts at float in winter weather down to near 13.0 volts at 100 degree plus. 

The numbers shown in the chart are spot on at 77 degrees.  But over or under by varying amounts at any other battery temps.

I would be tempted to purchase a separate temp compensating charger myself on that system.

Probably the reason Foretravel used either a 130 or 160 amp LN alternator as they could crudely adjust the output voltage to the batteries so as to not over or undercharge them as much in various weather,

After my below 100,000 serial number freedom 25 installed in feb 97 all their coaches had temp compensating charging std.

Just me, 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: 75amp Converter Charger

Reply #14 –
If I spent more time plugged in I would probably worry about it more...I have a lot of years of good success with these AIMS units so I'm calling this box checked.
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison