Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Anyone replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter Charger in a U225 or U240? (Read 1111 times) previous topic - next topic

Anyone replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter Charger in a U225 or U240?

I am thinking of installing an inverter with a separate outlet in our '95 U240 that could be used when not plugged in or running the generator (mainly for Kelli's hairdryer ::) ).  Another option would be to replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter/Charger and be able to use most of the 120V stuff.  It would also charge the house batteries a little faster than the current Boondocker 75 amp.  The wiring diagram shows an optional Heart 2500 but of course doesn't show where it would have been installed.  Anyone here know?  The Boondocker is located just inboard of the steps. 

Just typing this was about enough to talk myself out of it but I'd welcome any thoughts on the idea.  TIA.
Dave and Kelli
1997 U295 40' Build #5188 CSGI
1995 U240 36' Build #4621 SBID-SOLD
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Re: Anyone replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter Charger in a U225 or U240?

Reply #1 –
An inverter with smart charger would be big upgrade-- not just for the inverter, but also the replacement of the "dumb" converter with a smart charger.
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: Anyone replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter Charger in a U225 or U240?

Reply #2 –
If you decide to go the inverter/charger route, there are a few options for placement.  You can hang it from the ceiling of a storage bay, or you can mount it on the side wall of a storage compartment.  The closer you can get the inverter to the house batteries, the better.  You want to keep the length of the heavy DC cables (from batteries to inverter) to a minimum.  The length of the AC cable from inverter to AC electrical panel is not so critical.

Our coach originally had the modified sine wave inverter mounted behind the entry steps in the front storage bay.  When we upgraded to a new inverter/charger, we mounted it on the aft wall of the center storage bay.  That move cut the length of the heavy DC cables in half.

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: Anyone replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter Charger in a U225 or U240?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Dave Larsen –
I am thinking of installing an inverter with a separate outlet in our '95 U240 that could be used when not plugged in or running the generator (mainly for Kelli's hairdryer ::) ). 

Just typing this was about enough to talk myself out of it but I'd welcome any thoughts on the idea.  TIA.

My style would be to add a separate inverter sized appropriately.  Whether or not you want to run the microwave determines just how complicate you want to make the project. An On/Off switch and dedicated outlet for the inverter keeps it simple.

A whole house inverter-charger presents a path paved your gold (yours).
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Anyone replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter Charger in a U225 or U240?

Reply #4 –
Thanks for the input.

I replaced the battery boiler with a 4 stage, 75 amp Powermax Boondocker.  It seems a little lazy at around 45 amps max. Higher amp charging would be nice at times for quicker recovery with the generator.

The location next to the circuit breakers would be good on the U240 also.

A separate inverter would be much simpler but still be a path paved in gold, just shorter :)


Dave and Kelli
1997 U295 40' Build #5188 CSGI
1995 U240 36' Build #4621 SBID-SOLD
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Re: Anyone replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter Charger in a U225 or U240?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Dave Larsen –
Thanks for the input.

I replaced the battery boiler with a 4 stage, 75 amp Powermax Boondocker.  It seems a little lazy at around 45 amps max. Higher amp charging would be nice at times for quicker recovery with the generator.



Only way to judge whether it is capable of higher amp output is to relate it to VOLTAGE.  With batteries discharged, what is the voltage as well as amperage when you first plug in/start the generator.  If voltage immediately comes up to bulk rate (assume in the low 14's) then whatever amps it shows is just fine.

But, if it starts out, at, say 13.2 in bulk mode and well below amp rating, then indeed something is amiss.
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: Anyone replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter Charger in a U225 or U240?

Reply #6 –
The highest I've seen the voltage in bulk mode is maybe 13.6. The alternator will charge in the mid 14's and 100+ amps.  I talked with Randy at BestConverter about it 2 years ago and he didn't think it was worth replacing...
Dave and Kelli
1997 U295 40' Build #5188 CSGI
1995 U240 36' Build #4621 SBID-SOLD
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Re: Anyone replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter Charger in a U225 or U240?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Dave Larsen –
The highest I've seen the voltage in bulk mode is maybe 13.6. The alternator will charge in the mid 14's and 100+ amps.  I talked with Randy at BestConverter about it 2 years ago and he didn't think it was worth replacing...

I agree with Randy UNLESS you do a lot of dry camping where you are running the generator to power the converter.  Then, you would benefit from a lot higher amps (and proper bulk mode voltage).
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: Anyone replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter Charger in a U225 or U240?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Dave Larsen –
The highest I've seen the voltage in bulk mode is maybe 13.6. The alternator will charge in the mid 14's and 100+ amps.  I talked with Randy at BestConverter about it 2 years ago and he didn't think it was worth replacing...

If all you are seeing is 45 Amperes and 13.6V all you have is a 45A charger not 75A as you think.  I ran 4 GC-2 batteires paired with a pair of BCI group 27s.  Charging was by a PD9260 and when the batteries were down, the 9260 would max out at 60A and I could watch the charging voltage rise until it reached 14.4 after about 20 minutes when the current draw would begin to ease.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Anyone replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter Charger in a U225 or U240?

Reply #9 –
Back to the other half of the question-- running the hair dryer from an inverter or inverter/charger.

Simplest way (less new holes in the woodwork) is to run 120 VAC  wiring from the inverter to the bathroom outlet. 

Take the outlet there and "split" it so that you can feed 1/2 the outlet from the original source (shore power or generator) and the other 1/2 from the inverter.

OR just add a new outlet dedicated to the inverter.
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: Anyone replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter Charger in a U225 or U240?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
I agree with Randy UNLESS you do a lot of dry camping where you are running the generator to power the converter.  Then, you would benefit from a lot higher amps (and proper bulk mode voltage).

I hadn't installed a battery monitor yet, but first noticed the slow charging 3 years ago while dry camping by the in-laws house.  A very grumpy neighbor was pretty upset about us running the generator during prime time TV didn't help matters.  The generator end bearing went out while we were there so that solved his problem.  On the way home from that trip the alternator died so we were really struggling but made the final 10.5 hr, 700 mile day from Denver on just the batteries.

Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
If all you are seeing is 45 Amperes and 13.6V all you have is a 45A charger not 75A as you think.  I ran 4 GC-2 batteires paired with a pair of BCI group 27s.  Charging was by a PD9260 and when the batteries were down, the 9260 would max out at 60A and I could watch the charging voltage rise until it reached 14.4 after about 20 minutes when the current draw would begin to ease.

The label says 75A, but maybe you are right!
Dave and Kelli
1997 U295 40' Build #5188 CSGI
1995 U240 36' Build #4621 SBID-SOLD
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Re: Anyone replace the Converter/Charger with an Inverter Charger in a U225 or U240?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Dave Larsen –
The label says 75A, but maybe you are right!

The other maybe is that your Boondocker 75 isn't on "Automatic."  The PD 9100 and 9200 power converters revert back to automatic about 4 hours after being forced into manual. 


Shortly after we moved into our new-to-us U225, I noticed that the converter voltage stayed at 13.6V day in and day out.  I crawled into the bay and saw we had a PD9160, so once I found my way out of the bay I ordered up the Charge Wizard.  Happy happy joy joy.  Same functionality of the 9260 model.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.