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Topic: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar (Read 561 times) previous topic - next topic

Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

I will add a picture of what is in my bus, but I am looking for some experience and opinions on best options for changing to a more appropriate device.

I do plan on adding solar if that makes any difference on decisions and while we are at it please tell me about your solar decisions and how they may or may not impact the first decision.

Warm regards,
tom
2000 U320 36'
Build #5705

Re: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #1 –
Can you upload a higher resolution image or give a description of your device? I cannot tell what you have based on the current image.
Dave and Kathy Bennett
2004 U270
Build #6253
1600W Solar
700 AH Battle Born Lithium
2015 Jeep Wrangler

No matter what happens, remember you always get the trip out of it.

Re: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #2 –
I changed my converter/charger to:  Progressive International PD9180ALV 12V Lithium Ion Battery Converter/Charger - 80 Amp.
Don't know what you have in there now, but if you're planning on using lead acid batteries you might not need to change it out.
I'm new to this too, so that's just my two cents...

1990 Grand Villa Unihome 36ft U280
Build # 3587

74 Super Beetle

Re: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #3 –
Tom,

Seems odd (to me) that your 2000 model U320 has a converter/charger.

I would have assumed your coach came with a high quality inverter/charger that would perform the same 12V functions (in addition to being a inverter).

Don't know what's up with your photo, but (as noted above) it is useless.
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: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #4 –
I'm not sure what went in a 2000 stock, but the 01 and 02 I am familiar with, and my 03, all have Xantrex Freedom units.

If I were going to scrap it all and start over today, I'd personally be looking at Victron stuff.  I've been very happy with the battery monitor and MPPT solar controller they produce.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #5 –
Are you looking for just a converter or all in one inverter/converter/charger?

It looks at though whomever had this coach before you replaced the inverter/charger with a converter. If you're looking for a simple converter to keep your house batteries charged, progressive dynamics makes good units.

If you're looking for an inverter/charger, I'd recommend Victron multiplus. If you run 6/2 wire from the breaker panel, you can remove the ATS as the Victron has a built in ATS.... Or use the 10/2 and 12/2 and run it as it was stock.

I guess it kinda depends on what you're doing solar wise and if you plan on using the microwave/etc off of battery and inverter.
1999 U320 WTFE #5586
2014 Subaru Forester 6sp
4000 watts of solar
650 aH @ 24v

Re: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #6 –
We have been happy with out solar since I installed it back in 2008. The Midnite 150 Classic charge controller was top rated back then and still tops several lists today. Made in the USA. Panels are four Lingli 285 watt commercial panels and are working as when installed. The batteries are six Genesis XE70X AGMs for 400Ah total. Still working fine today. Converter/charger was changed to a Progressive Dynamics 45 amp as the old PowerMax was not that stable at float voltage. With solar, you don't need a really big converter/charger as the solar does all the work and the converter/charger is only used to maintain the batteries at home as the coach is covered so no solar. Check the reviews for reliability of the Progressive Dynamics products.

We have two sine wave inverters and one modified sine wave inverter down in the main compartment. I don't believe in combining a converter/charger/inverter together as we 99% dry camp and need maximum reliability.

Paul Smith was the first Foretravel to install solar and I believe we are the second. I posted a complete list of all the components and sources several times here. Unless you travel to hot and humid locations, you never have to start the generator. Ours has only required the panels be washed once a year and other than that, just a flip of the switch brings the whole system online.

If you convert all of lighting, TV, etc to LEDs, the total power needed goes way down. We watch TV at night, use the MW and latte machine in the morning and are up to float before noon. 400Ah is not enough to run a residential fridge so more battery capacity is needed. New solar panels are also available in 400 watts for the same size as our 285 watt panels.

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

Re: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #7 –
As others have mentioned, the Victron is great, but you also have options with the Xantrax 3012 and the Magnum 2800 for solar!
My 2000 came with a ProSine unit and you would need to change that out for solar in the future.  PO put in a Xantrax 758 that is not compatible with solar, so reason I changed it out for the 3012.  Good luck and keep us posted, please!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #8 –
I have a Magnum 2812 and the PT100 for the solar and the nice thing about the 2812 it fit in the old
bracket with a miner work on the old bracket. I  am pleased with the system and the Tech guys are
really help full.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #9 –
We are full-time and do a lot of dry camping, so we are sized up with plenty of capacity for everything we need.  Currently have 1200 W of solar on the roof, 600 AH of Battleborn Lithium Batteries, Victron 3000 Multiplus II hybrid inverter/charger, Victron BMS712 Battery Monitor, and Victron MPPT 185/70 Smart solar charger & smaller Victron MPPT 17/15 solar charger to allow hookup of a couple portable panels should the need arise.  I like having all Victron equipment as its accessible from the same bluetooth app/interface and plant to add their GX Control and display in the future. 

Although we've always had plenty of solar for our needs, if I were to do it again, I probably would have added 2 or 3 additional solar panels on the roof and skipped the auxiliary hookup.  And I would have installed a manual transfer switch versus an ATS.  The MultiPlus II works nicely with 2-phase 50A power.  Everything fit together nicely in original house battery box and bay. 

If we were mostly in places we plug in and not FT, a much smaller configuration would be fine.  You really have to assess your power needs (A/C, refrigerator type, appliances, etc.), places you camp, and frequency.  You can start with a smaller/less costly configuration and add batter as needed.  Solar panels are relatively inexpensive now, so if I was to overbuild, it would be there versus spending a fortune on a big lithium battery array at the outset.  You can always add battery if you find the initial configuration is insufficient.
Joe Phebus and Jaime Trujillo
2002 U270 3410  Build: 5953 Motorcader # 18595
2100 W Solar, 600 AH Battleborn Batteries,  Victron Multi-Plus II 3000 Inverter, Cerbo GX, & MPPT Chargers
1992 Geo Tracker

Re: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #10 –
I have gone all 12 volt in my coach,
I dont use the microwave or the Benchtop mixer,
I have removed the Generator and the convertor thingy that came with my coach,
Fridge is gas, Water heater is 12 volt and gas,
I have 2 x 350 Watts of solar on the roof,  = 700 Watts,
I have 3 x 200 amp AGMs, Ex Computer back up Batterys,  One 75 amphr starter battery, 900CCA,  Which I have connected to the house bank with a 50 amp circuit breaker if I need to connect it to the house batterys and the solar panels if it ever goes flat,
I have a 40 Amp solar controller, Chinese,
Its all been on there over 4 years, Works perfect,
I have exactly the same set up on my boat with 770 amphrs of lead acid batterys, That was with full time live aboard,
Cheers, Brian,
1989 Foretravel Grand Villa, 36 foot ORED, 300 HP Catapillar and Four Speed Allison Auto,
Right Hand drive, two Mid doors, Makes a good flow thru ventilation in hot weather,
Located in Melbourne, Australia,  The Land Down Under,
Honda Blackbird, 1100XX.    2002 Gemini 105 MC Catamaran,

Re: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #11 –
I couldnt post piccys in my previuos reply, So here they are now,
Cheers, Brian,
1989 Foretravel Grand Villa, 36 foot ORED, 300 HP Catapillar and Four Speed Allison Auto,
Right Hand drive, two Mid doors, Makes a good flow thru ventilation in hot weather,
Located in Melbourne, Australia,  The Land Down Under,
Honda Blackbird, 1100XX.    2002 Gemini 105 MC Catamaran,

Re: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #12 –
Sorry about the delay, on getting more info here.

It is clear that last owner changed to the existing converter/ charger.  I would like to have it set with an inverter so that I can dry camp more without running the generator all the time.

I really am not sure where to start on this upgrade!

I am hoping this picture of what is there is a bit clearer.
2000 U320 36'
Build #5705

Re: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #13 –
I always love to see photos of high amperage battery cable connections wrapped in copious layers of black electrical tape.

Just gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling and instant appreciation for the installer's technical expertise.  :thumbsup:

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: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
I always love to see photos of high amperage battery cable connections wrapped in copious layers of black electrical tape.

Just gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling and instant appreciation for the installer's technical expertise.  :thumbsup:

OK, let's cut Bubba some slack.  Well maybe not. Certainly a "not very expensive" replacement for the OE inverter/charger.

Assume the inverter/charger has been remove??? Could also be that it is still there but the charge function became inoperative and the converter was the work-around.

OP-- please do have someone knowledgeable of things Foretravel check out your electrical system.
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: Looking to change out the converter/charger and adding solar

Reply #15 –
Any suggestions on who I could call in the Mid west? I am located in KC but would be willing to travel a bit.
2000 U320 36'
Build #5705