Turning off converter

[frankngloria]

We have a 2011 3455SA and a question. Is there a way to turn off the converter? We have 4 six volt golf batteries, a 2000 watt inverter with built in 3 stage battery charger and 3 solar panels. When plugged in using shore power having the converter is fine. The charger from the converter is fine. But when dry camping using the inverter I would rather not have the converter powered on. Plus I would prefer to use the charger from the inverter because it has an equalize stage. Any suggestions?

[kdeiss]

One of the breakers will turn off the converter but also other outlets

[Tom S.]

Unplug it - or if you know how to, rewire it to seperate breaker.

[brenkco]

I installed a 20a single pole switch in the garage. There was plenty of romex to cut and install the switch just next to the outlet. I removed the panel in the garage and had easy access. I am fairly certain that the converter was on a dedicated breaker. (I have a 2010 3455)

Ken

[Carl n Susan]

What you can do depends on what converter you have.

I suspect the 2011 models have the newest 90 AMP Inteli-Power 4500 converter integrated into the Power Distribution Panel. http://www.progressivedyn.com/all_in_one_pd4500_1.html This is a four stage charger and is just what you want. Since it draws 13.6V it has a dedicated 20 AMP breaker. The quickest and easiest solution is to turn off the breaker in the Power Distribution Panel when you are boondocking and using solar power to re-charge your batteries. Optionally, you can do as Brenkco did and install a switch in the circuit.

The 2011 brochure says you have a 90AMP converter and *IF* it is not the Inteli-Power then it is likely the older Zantrac model. I believe this is what is installed in Brenkco's 2010. It too draws a lot of voltage and has it's own dedicated circuit. So flipping the breaker or installing a switch are viable options.

Of course flipping a breaker on/off is not the best use of it and will tend to weaken it over time. But it serves the purpose for infrequent use. Unplugging the converter, which is not an option on the integrated model, is probably impractical due to the location where the converter is installed (deep in the bowels of the RV).