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Old 07-16-2014, 07:50 AM   #1
furface
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Converter

Good Day
I just bought a 2008 3465SA Montana 5th wheel. It has 2 IOTA panels one is IDP-12 and IDP-240 with a Zantrex XADC8012 810-8012-00 converter. Is this good or bad ???. For long term.

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Old 07-16-2014, 09:07 AM   #2
1retired06
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Not sure I understand your specific concern. However, we have had Montana units since 2002 and have never had an issue with a converter. Whatever came with each unit operated without problem.
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Old 07-16-2014, 09:12 AM   #3
Irlpguy
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It appears you have an 80 amp Zantrex converter which came without the distribution panel. Since there is a mismatch in the distribution panels (IDP-12 = DC panel) and (IDP240 = AC panel) and the converter perhaps the converter was replaced at one time, as Iota also make converters.

There is no problem with this setup, however in most cases now the converter and distribution panel are all in one unit. It appears as if you have the highest capacity converter made by Zantrex and it should serve you well. Iota do make a 90 amp.

As for long term, who knows, converters can and have failed and can be replaced with any brand you choose as long as it fits the location and most makes come with or without the distribution panels.

I would not be worried about it as long as it is charging your batteries properly. Just my opinion.






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Old 07-16-2014, 10:56 AM   #4
Carl n Susan
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2008 Montanas came standard with a stand alone Zantrex converters. They are a good unit and come with a built-in 3 stage charger (IOTA converters didn't). You should have no problem with it.

Are the two separate IOTA panels because one houses the 12V fuses and the other houses the 120V circuit breakers?? I haven't looked at those panels before so I am guessing.
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Old 07-16-2014, 11:43 AM   #5
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Our converter was also stand alone and if we hadn't gone solar we would still be using it.
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Old 07-16-2014, 02:57 PM   #6
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As I said in my earlier post the IDP12 is the 12V panel and the IDP240 is the 120V panel, they are separate from the converter as is sometimes the way they are set up.

Carl, Iota does make converters with smart chargers although they may not have done so back in 2008.

As I suggested the fact the panels are of a different manufacturer than the converter I would suspect the converter has been changed out.

A panel is a panel, makes no difference what brand it is, the current converter the owner has is an 80 amp and should be sufficient for any needs. If he was concerned he can certainly go to a Iota and have the smart charger in today's models.

I for one would not be worried about it, as long as it is charging the batteries and providing DC to the trailer and the 120V breakers are all operational and everything is working, why look for a problem that does not exist.




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Old 07-16-2014, 04:31 PM   #7
Carl n Susan
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Montana used IOTA non-smart charger converters (although you could buy an IQ4 to smarten it up) from 2003 until 2006. They then moved to a Zantrex converter which included a smart charger. They also moved to brown decals. The converter was a good move, the decals weren't.
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Old 07-17-2014, 02:52 AM   #8
WaltBennett
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Got the same setup in ours.
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