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Old 05-24-2017, 11:03 AM   #1
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55 amp converter with charger

Hello,

New here and about to take delivery of a 201RBS soon. The specs say this model is equipped with a 55 amp converter with charger.
Can anyone tell me what the battery charger rating is?
I got an answer of 45 amps from the salesman but I don't think that is correct.

Any other charger info, ie; stage, float, etc would be most appreciated.

TIA
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Old 05-24-2017, 11:12 AM   #2
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Hi and welcome to FRF!
I don't know the exact brand/model of your charger.
It's most likely a WFCO. Salesman should be able to tell you that!!

IF it is- there's been much discussion on these forums about the performance (or lack of) with these units.
The general consensus is the WFCO chargers are ok.
Not great, not premium but ok.

If you plan on doing a lot of off the grid camping where you'll need to
recharge via generator and want to keep your generator run times at
a minimum you might consider an upgrade to the charging system one day.

See this thread for a current discussion of my recent experience camping
off the grid.--- http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ok-134767.html

Good luck and happy trails!
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Old 05-24-2017, 11:14 AM   #3
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Well, your salesman isn't that smart. It is a 55 amp converter/charger. They both come from the same function. Probably a combination panel and converter. Even WFCO has 3 stages now, as does Progressive Dynamics.
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Old 05-24-2017, 11:25 AM   #4
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If you plan on doing a lot of off the grid camping
Thanks for the welcome Dan. You hit the nail squarely on the head. I'll be doubling up a pair of deep cycle batteries and was wondering if the onboard charger was up to task or separately plumb in my own charger and power via my ginny.
I'll read the link, thanks.
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Old 05-24-2017, 11:27 AM   #5
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Well, your salesman isn't that smart.
Amen.
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Old 05-24-2017, 11:46 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by mjacxx View Post
T if the onboard charger was up to task or separately plumb in my own charger and power via my ginny.
I'll read the link, thanks.
If you know you'll be off the grid with 2 big batteries you're probably gonna
want one of these-- 4600 Series Upgrade or Replacement Power Converters

It uses your WFCO power center fuses and electric distribution but replaces the charge circuit with one you can manually set.
Lots of chatter here about them and so far haven't heard anything but
rave reviews.
They are pretty much the gold standard in RV chargers.
I want one but we camp off the grid so seldom I'm still procrastinating.

Here's the technical stuff for one day when you don't have enough to do!
Charge Wizard RV Battery Charging
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Old 05-24-2017, 12:09 PM   #7
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Wait till you get it. FR has installed a lot of PD units and PD also makes a load center with their converter. Can't seem to find a 55 amp anywhere. Maybe you will get lucky.
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Old 05-24-2017, 12:32 PM   #8
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Wait till you get it. FR has installed a lot of PD units and PD also makes a load center with their converter. Can't seem to find a 55 amp anywhere. Maybe you will get lucky.
Hmm, interesting. I was was pulling the 55 amp spec from a brochure which was copyrighted 2016. Is it possible the PD unit would be 45 amp? Maybe the salesman was correct?

While we will not be taking delivery until next week, we are going to the dealership tomorrow to take care of another matter. I should be able to sneak a look at the trailer, perhaps component literature also.
Any clue what to look for if unable to scan literature?
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Old 05-24-2017, 12:43 PM   #9
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Sure, look at the power center (where the breakers and fuses are) and see if it was made by Progressive Dynamics or WFCO. If there is a grille below the breakers and fuses, it is a combination panel and converter. it should say right inside who made it and what it is. The literature says 55 amp so it isn't 45 amp unless that is a misprint.
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Old 05-24-2017, 12:54 PM   #10
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Sure, look at the power center (where the breakers and fuses are) and see if it was made by Progressive Dynamics or WFCO. If there is a grille below the breakers and fuses, it is a combination panel and converter. it should say right inside who made it and what it is. The literature says 55 amp so it isn't 45 amp unless that is a misprint.
Gotcha, thanks. I glanced at the pc before but made no particular effort to determine brand. Why do they put the panel down near the floor and make you fold up like a gymnasts to look at it? I am taking a mirror and flash light.
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Old 05-24-2017, 12:57 PM   #11
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Take a photo with your cell phone!!!
Take photos of your weight stickers too.
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Old 05-24-2017, 01:00 PM   #12
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Gotcha, thanks. I glanced at the pc before but made no particular effort to determine brand. Why do they put the panel down near the floor and make you fold up like a gymnasts to look at it? I am taking a mirror and flash light.
Mine too, probably because eye level real estate is much more valuable.
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Old 05-24-2017, 01:11 PM   #13
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Take a photo with your cell phone!!!
Take photos of your weight stickers too.
Yes sir! You trust the weight stickers? I am hoping the dealer has a tongue wt scale because the sm didn't know if the wts included propane, tanks or battery (1).
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Old 05-24-2017, 04:55 PM   #14
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Sticker includes propane and tank, not the battery. Different dealers put different batteries in. Some put 24s, mine puts in 27s.

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Old 05-24-2017, 11:04 PM   #15
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A pair of golf cart batts OR a pair of large (group 31) 12V batts both have an amp maximum capacity for ACCEPTANCE of charge in the 50-55amp range. So buying a bigger charger would do no good whatsoever. Minimum for a pair should be in the 20-25amp range.
You are good to go and need not expand unless you add even more batteries.
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Old 05-25-2017, 08:03 AM   #16
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A pair of golf cart batts OR a pair of large (group 31) 12V batts both have an amp maximum capacity for ACCEPTANCE of charge in the 50-55amp range. So buying a bigger charger would do no good whatsoever. Minimum for a pair should be in the 20-25amp range.
You are good to go and need not expand unless you add even more batteries.
A pair of 31's from my (former) expo rig are to be mounted.
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Old 05-25-2017, 09:07 AM   #17
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A pair of 31's from my (former) expo rig are to be mounted.
Group 31 deep cycles usually have around 105 amp hours when new so given that they are not new, my guess is that the pair will be just fine and you will have more charging capacity than the batts can accept during bulk charging.
You'll be boondocking so the better investment will be a true battery monitor ($150) like the Victron or Trimetric. This will allow you to see:
1. What the state of charge is on your bank so that you can protect the batts by never going below 50%.
2. How many amps are being put into the batts.
3. How many amps are being used. How long the batts will last at the current rate of discharge before needing recharge.
4. When your batts are 100% full ... so you don't waste time and gas overcharging and you don't kill your batts early by overcharging.
5. What stage of charging you are in...bulk, absorbtion, float, Equalization.
It will pay for itself in time and money saved on murdered batteries if you boondock. Not needed if you stay plugged in full time. VOLTMETERS are NOT a substitute for a true monitor as they are unreliable indicators EXCEPT on a static, disconnected battery that has not been used or charged in the last 24 hours.
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Old 05-25-2017, 09:12 AM   #18
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You'll be boondocking so the better investment will be a true battery monitor ($150) like the Victron or Trimetric.
I totally agree...and then you will never be happy since you will really know what is going on!!!! Like running a generator to run a converter that is only putting 2 amps into your battery bank at 13.6 volts.

You will then definitely wish for that magic button to push to bump your voltage up to 14.4 so you can get a return from that gasoline you are burning.

In all honesty, you will definitely run your generator for fewer hours for "battery charging" only...and then you will seriously consider a couple of hundred watts of solar so you can get back to 100% on a nice sunny day.
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Old 06-01-2017, 02:12 PM   #19
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I totally agree...and then you will never be happy since you will really know what is going on!!!! Like running a generator to run a converter that is only putting 2 amps into your battery bank at 13.6 volts.

You will then definitely wish for that magic button to push to bump your voltage up to 14.4 so you can get a return from that gasoline you are burning.

In all honesty, you will definitely run your generator for fewer hours for "battery charging" only...and then you will seriously consider a couple of hundred watts of solar so you can get back to 100% on a nice sunny day.
I considered solar briefly for my former expo rig but the abundance of tree cover where I play cancelled any chance of having adequate sunlight to justify going solar. My playground remains the same.

As mentioned earlier, I had hoped to mount a pair of batteries I have, I thought they were 31's but they are actually 29's. Nevertheless they are the same lengthwise and will not fit end to end on the 201RBS's between the rails battery tray. Without boxes I *could* squeeze them in but I don't want to run without them being covered. I am considering fab'ing a tray that would ride above the frame rails rather than the OEM between the rails tray.

Alternate mounting suggestions welcome.
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