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07-08-2009, 05:29 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Milford
Posts: 434
M.O.C. #8202
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Converter Upgrade
I have a 45 Amp converter in my 2001 Monty. The existing 45 Amp converter is sufficient to run all the 12V stuff in the coach. I am thinking of replacing it with a newer converter that uses the IQ4 so I can better maintain my batteries (480 AMPS).
My choice for replacement is 45 Amp or 75 Amp converter.
This is what I know. I have a 40 Amp battery charger in the shop. I take a good 12-Volt battery that is run down to say 11 volts. I apply the 40A charger and initially the charger shows an output of 25 Amps. Then within a few minutes the draw drops to around 10 Amps and after an hour the draw is reduced to 3 Amps.
When boondocking, we fire up the generator to charge the batteries. While running the generator, we also want to use the TV Microwave etc.
I also know that my generator will be running near max (1800W) when running a 75-Amp converter leaving ????? for TV Microwave.
So far I can’t see the justification to spend the extra bucks for a 75-Amp converter?
I’m sure there are MOC'ers that have already built this wheel. What experience do you have that will help me decide 45 or 75 Amp converter?
Thanks in advance,
John
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07-09-2009, 06:05 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Jose
Posts: 728
M.O.C. #5740
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John,
Just order that new Big Sky and your problem is solved.
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07-10-2009, 01:39 PM
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#3
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Milford
Posts: 434
M.O.C. #8202
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Hi Grant,
I wish I could afford a new Big Sky!!
I have a shoe box full of money under the bed. After I buy my new converter and IQ4 I will only have 4 zinc penny's and a few baseball trading cards left. DW won't sign loan documents. Maybe I could sell all her beads!!
Later,
John
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07-10-2009, 02:12 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,324
M.O.C. #4831
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O.K. I am not an electrician and I have trouble understanding Ohm's Law. But from experience, I offer the following:
When I had the IOTA 55 & IQ4 and the four golf cart batteries, the Honda 2000 barely accelerated for the converter, even when doing a high charge.
The IOTA died and I replaced it with a InteliPower 65. Still no major impact on the Honda.
The new Montanas come with a Xantrax 80 Amp converter.
Running the microwave on a Honda 2000 is problematical, at best, particularly for those of us with the Apollo. I have played around recently and found I can get the Apollo to run *IF* I turn off the breakers for everything (especially the converter) else in the rig.
The size of the wires in my trailer connecting the converter charge circuit to the batteries is more than sufficient to handle the output of the IntelliPower.
Therefore, following in the footsteps of Tim Taylor, I would select the 75 amp converter and just know that you will have to turn it off before firing up the microwave.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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07-10-2009, 06:19 PM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Milford
Posts: 434
M.O.C. #8202
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Hi Carl,
Below are my notes. They might help explain my question better. Keep in mind my gen set is 1800 watts output. The difference in cost is $119.00.
I'm hoping to get someone with a Tri-Metric or Xantrex meter to weigh in on exactly what they see going from their charger to the batteries. I'm suspecting that even though they have a 75 or 90 Amp charger only 25-30Amps are all that are going to the batteries because they are only partially discharged. If that is the case I would probably go with the 45 Amp converter. If the 75 Amp charger really provides superior service I could justify the extra $119 for the converter + $900 for a new Honda to run it.
IOTA w/ external iq
45DLS $175 needs 1200W Gen to run 11A @ 108 V = 1188 Volt Amps
55DLS $185 needs 1400W 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 lower.
IOTA sez He recommends Master tech 800 848 0558 as a place to buy IOTA converter. Prices are from Master Tech. Find cheaper??
Solar is not an issue with IOTA as solar voltage regulator will automatically reduce output amperage to batteries eliminating issue of overcharge.
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07-11-2009, 04:12 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Jose
Posts: 728
M.O.C. #5740
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by WorkerB
Hi Grant,
I wish I could afford a new Big Sky!!
I have a shoe box full of money under the bed. After I buy my new converter and IQ4 I will only have 4 zinc penny's and a few baseball trading cards left. DW won't sign loan documents. Maybe I could sell all her beads!!
Later,
John
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John,
You just need to get Roxanne to do less beading and more gold panning.
Grant
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