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Old 03-27-2009, 06:43 AM   #1
illapah
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which converter to buy

Saw on Camping World converters are on sale. They have 30, 45, 60, & 80 amp units. How does one decide which one is the proper one? I don't even know what one I have in our Monty.
 
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Old 03-27-2009, 07:42 AM   #2
stiles watson
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I have the Inteli-Power 9200. It is an 80 AMP. It is much better than the OEM unit I had. It steps up or down depending on the state of charge on the battery. It has an LED indicator that shows the mode at a glance.
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Old 03-27-2009, 08:00 AM   #3
SlickWillie
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I'm sure not an expert on converters (and no, I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night). But, I talked with an RV service man here the other day. He had replaced my neighbors GFCO converter with a Parallax back in October of 08. It had already gone out. He said they are hard to deal with on warranty (2 yr.), and always come up with some reason you caused the converter to fail. I know that is not what CW sells, but just thought I would add this to the thread. What I am wondering; why did they sell it in the first place if they don't like that brand?
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Old 03-27-2009, 08:13 AM   #4
bsmeaton
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If I remember right, our 2007s have a 55 amp (iota). Given the choices you offered, I would go with the 80 amp but that's just me. If you listed a 120 amp, I would probably pick that one.
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Old 03-27-2009, 09:49 AM   #5
SlickWillie
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by bsmeaton

If I remember right, our 2007s have a 55 amp (iota). Given the choices you offered, I would go with the 80 amp but that's just me. If you listed a 120 amp, I would probably pick that one.
Yep, that's what I say. Bigger is better!
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Old 03-27-2009, 10:05 AM   #6
Waynem
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DW says the same thing!!
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Old 03-27-2009, 03:43 PM   #7
2 for Him
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Remember, if you put in a larger amperage converter, you must run larger wires up to the battery(s).
Best to stay close to the original in amperage but get one that changes voltage to recharge fast or maintain
as needed like Stiles said.
Tom
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Old 03-27-2009, 04:41 PM   #8
bsmeaton
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 2 for Him

Remember, if you put in a larger amperage converter, you must run larger wires up to the battery(s).
Best to stay close to the original in amperage but get one that changes voltage to recharge fast or maintain
as needed like Stiles said.
Tom
Good point! Thats always the stuff I forget until I start installing it.
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Old 03-27-2009, 05:12 PM   #9
sailer
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Ask sparky as he is a new member and a electrion,,,,,sailer
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Old 03-28-2009, 01:17 AM   #10
H. John Kohl
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Make sure the one you buy has the remote monitoring system with it. Normally that also allows you to control what the charger side is doing.
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Old 03-28-2009, 01:51 AM   #11
WorkerB
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Illapah,
I was thinking of replacing our 45 Amp converter with a higher charge rate converter and adding the IQ4 device so I could better maintain our batteries. We boondock and use a small generator. Below are my notes after talking to Jay at IOTA Technical Support. You may want to make sure your generator will run the larger capacity converters. John

Jay at IOTA Engineering sez

IOTA w/ external iq

45DLS $175 needs1200W Gen to run The Math sez 11A @ 108 V = 1188 Volt Amps

55DLS $185 needs1400W Gen to run 13A @ 108 V = 1404 VA

75DLS $294 needs 1800W Gen to run 17A @ 108V = 1836 VA

90DLS $370 needs 2300W Gen to run 21A @ 108V = 2268 VA

Add a 2 OR 3% Fudge factor because voltage will be higher than 108 V (110-125) and Volt Amps will be lower.

Jay at IOTA sez He recommends Master tech 800 848 0558 as a place to buy IOTA converter. Prices are from Master Tech. Find cheaper??
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Old 03-28-2009, 03:36 AM   #12
bsmeaton
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Another good point WorkerB. Looks like a 90A converter taxed to full capacity could really eat up the output of even the higher output generators (half of my 5500).
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Old 03-28-2009, 08:30 AM   #13
illapah
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Just checked, I have a DLS-55 installed. I may opt for the smart charge option as it is available. don't know how much value it is since I do little boon docking.
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Old 03-28-2009, 11:36 AM   #14
illapah
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Ordered the IQ Smart controller from bestconverter.com for $25 at my door. They sell other stuff, maybe worth a look if you need anything they sell. They are in the business of RV Electrical supplies.
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Old 03-29-2009, 06:16 AM   #15
bsmeaton
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You'll like the smartcharger. It's value added even for non-boondockers, as it prevents overcharging the batteries when plugged into AC.
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