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07-28-2008, 11:05 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Riverside, California
Posts: 1,543
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New Battery Charger Recommendations
I need to install a new battery charger (converter). I think the one in my 1982 Newell is the original, and want to get one that knows when to stop charging and just maintaining the charge level. What do you all recommend?
I look forward to your feedback......
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07-28-2008, 11:23 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,558
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Clarke, I replaced my battery charger/converter with a ProSine 2000 watt inverter that has a built-in multi-stage 105 amp battery charger. If you wish to stay with a charger/converter, I have heard good things about the Progressive Dynamics 9200 series. They come in 45, 60, 70 and 80 amp models. Newell is currently installing Outback inverter/chargers in their new coaches so you may want to look at them also. They are pricey but top quality, however, I do not believe they make just a charger/converter if you want to go that direction.
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07-29-2008, 04:15 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: mesa, az
Posts: 1,375
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mine has been replaced with a xantrex freedom 458 inverter/charger that is a 2kw. if i had done it, i would have put the prosine in like michaels. great choice and can be had as a refurbished for a reasonable price from several places online.
tom
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07-29-2008, 04:17 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Riverside, California
Posts: 1,543
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Hi Michael......I have a 2000 watt inverter (Hart) that replaced the original factory Redline inverter, so do you think I should replace both with one unit that does both?
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07-29-2008, 08:03 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,558
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Depends on the age and condition of the inverter. If it is relatively new and seems to be in good working condition, I would probably just replace the charger. If the Heart is questionable, this would be a good time to consolidate the two functions. Obviously the inverter has a number of years on it (don't know how much usage) or it would be a Xantrex (Heart was bought out by a Canadian holding company in 1998 which rebranded all the inverters to Xantrex). You might benefit from a true sine wave inverter it you power much electronic equipment. However, there would be less wiring changes necessary to just replace the charger/converter.
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07-29-2008, 03:56 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Riverside, California
Posts: 1,543
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Hi Michael.....The Heart Inverter seems to work fine.....I've used it to run the TV a couple of times while dry camped. The converter/charger I have now has a max output of 70amps. I found a Progressive Dynamics 9200 (80amp max) on Ebay for $219 -NIB...does that sound reasonable?
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07-29-2008, 08:39 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,558
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The internet prices for new Progressive Dynamics 9200 - 80 amp units are about $340-$375 so $219 is a very good price is it has the warranty.
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07-30-2008, 12:25 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Riverside, California
Posts: 1,543
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Cool.....I'll check with the Ebay seller on the warranty, but he says "new in the box".
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10-06-2008, 08:46 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Riverside, California
Posts: 1,543
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Just to finish up this thread....I purchased the recommended Progressive Dynamics 9200 80amp charger/converter on Ebay for $219, and finally got around to installing it this past Saturday. The old 70amp charger/converter must have weighed about 30 lbs! The new one weighs arond 8 lbs, and takes up way less space. Took me about an hour from start to finish.
Thanks for the advice and recommendations!
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08-27-2009, 10:35 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 37
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Attn Clarke - Progressive Dynamics PD9280
Are you happy with the Progressive Dynamics converter/charger you installed? Does it handle your battery charging requirements? I have two banks of 4 batteries is this unit large enough?
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Brian
87 Newell 37' #129
8V92TA HT740
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08-28-2009, 12:27 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Riverside, California
Posts: 1,543
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I am completely happy with it. I have 4 8d batteries. Prior to installing the Progressive Dymanics I boiled 3 of the 4 batteries. Since its installation I have had no further problems, and, in fact, have 4 healthy batteries now. I highly recommend it! Yes, it is large enough for your situation.
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09-14-2009, 05:56 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 156
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I have a Heart inverter EMS-1800-12 that also cooks the batteries. I read this post and bought the Progressive Dynamics PD9200 to eliminate that problem. My question now is, how do I wire up the 9200 and still use my inverter? Can they be used together? There is no way to control the charging system on the Heart Inverter.
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Jimmy and Debbie Daniel
1991 43' 6" Newell coach 279
San Antonio show coach
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09-14-2009, 06:50 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Riverside, California
Posts: 1,543
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Jimmy, that is a great question. I think either Michael, or Richard will be able to answer your question. I'm an electrical dummy. In my case I have a Heart 2000 watt inverter that is ONLY an inverter, so replacing the separate converter (battery boiler) I had was easy to wire up. You may need to replace the Heart Inverter/Charger with a straight inverter, but I'm sure you will get the correct advice from the experts here on this forum. Good luck!!
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09-14-2009, 10:44 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,558
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Attempting to find a manual for a Heart inverter can be tough. Some of the Heart inverter/chargers required a plug-in remote panel to turn off the charger function. Others did have a charger switch on the inverter itself. I found a manual for the HF24-2500SX http://www.mpandc.com/resources/HF24-2500SX.pdf states:
HOW TO USE THE CHARGER:
Each standby unit is supplied with a standard 3 w i r e AC line. cord protruding from the center of the back, this is used to plug in the charger. In the simplest scenario this is plugged into a 120 volt AC socket at which time the Heart will recharge the battery bank. The batterv charger may be turned off and on with the power switch. This switch must be in the on position for the battery charger to operate.
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09-15-2009, 12:48 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 156
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Thanks Michael. My inverter is different from that one but I did notice something that might help me. I have the remote feature on mine like the 2500 but my problem has been that no matter where I set the remote it appears to charge non stop. My remote has 3 settings, on-off and slow charge. My problem has been even when I turn the remote switch to off, it is still on. The inverter is always working. Even if I set it to slow charge it is still charging full on. I noticed in that manual that the inverter switch itself must be turned to off for the remote to work. I'm going to try that tomorrow and see if that helps. To this point my inverter/charger doesnt seem to float or slow down. It just boils the batteries dry and i've had 2 blow up. I'm hoping turning the inverter switch off MAY make the remote panel work. I'll keep you posted. I may end up not needing the new 9200 charger.
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Jimmy and Debbie Daniel
1991 43' 6" Newell coach 279
San Antonio show coach
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09-16-2009, 08:04 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 156
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It appears that turning the inverter off at the unit and using the remote has got mine charging at an acceptable rate. Now I can turn the inverter off completely or set it to slow charge besides the regular charging function. Thnaks Michael!
I'm hoping I can send my 9200 back for a refund.
__________________
Jimmy and Debbie Daniel
1991 43' 6" Newell coach 279
San Antonio show coach
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09-22-2009, 12:23 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Riverside, California
Posts: 1,543
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Jennifer, here are some pictures of my setup. You will see in the first picture the black and red wire coming out of the front. The red is the "hot" wire, and the black is the first ground wire. The red wire goes up to a junction box seen in picture 2. Picture 3 shows the second ground wire, and picture 4 shows the entire setup, which includes the power cord plugged into the outlet.
***Oops....just realized I posted this on the wrong forum....sorry!
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