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Topic: Venting new convertor/battery charger? (Read 469 times) previous topic - next topic

Venting new convertor/battery charger?

OK, as I posted earlier this fall, I replaced our failed convertor/battery charger with a new one.
The "old one" was installed just before we bought the coach about 10-12 years ago.
Is this average life span?
Both convertor/battery chargers came equipped with small electric fans for internal cooling.
The units were/are mounted just below the ceiling of the dump station compartment.
I am replacing the slinky storage tubes and will have to enlarge the existing holes that were sealed with rattle can spray foam to keep out vermin.
The 3" elbow dump valve goes thru the floor of the compartment and has a hard piece of plastic around it where it goes thru the floor--to keep out vermin.
Only actual possible incoming air are the openings around the 3" tank outlet plastic pipes that join once inside the compartment.

Now here is my question.  Should I vent/duct the convertor/battery charger thru the compartment wall? The unit is oriented so the fan exhaust is towards the inside rear wall. About three inches away from the wall.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Venting new convertor/battery charger?

Reply #1 –
General rule of thumb, the cooler electronic are the longer they live.  The main reason data centers are keep cool all year long.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Venting new convertor/battery charger?

Reply #2 –
I think the question should be:  Does the compartment have enough surface area for the heat from the power converters to bleed through to the cooler air outside?  My converters are mounted in a through bay and are the only source of heat so I have no concern about the bay becoming too warm for the comfort of the power converters.
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: Venting new convertor/battery charger?

Reply #3 –
So now I have to find a way to keep vermin and moisture out but let air in & out.
As I recall, electronics really do not like water/moisture.
Problem is the compartment is one of many under the floor of the coach, and is the last compartment before the driver's side rear duals.
Maybe run some intake ducting up near the bottom of the coach floor and long enough to keep water away. We try to not drive in the rain, but one never knows when the need may arise. So best to be prepared.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Venting new convertor/battery charger?

Reply #4 –
I would moniter temperatures before adding additional venting.  Inexpensive Bluetooth remote temp moniters are reasonable priced.  What are the specs on operating temps for your equipment?  My Xantrex SW2012 has a wide operating temperature range: -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C).  I was considering mounting lifepo4 batteries in this same compartment, monitering the temps for a year told me I'd have no issue.  The lifepo4 batteries did not have as wide an operating range as my electronics.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Venting new convertor/battery charger?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
So now I have to find a way to keep vermin and moisture out but let air in & out.
As I recall, electronics really do not like water/moisture.

I've proven the water thing out myself.  After flooding the bay with the power converters I have the new ones mounted above the floor.
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.