converter/charger recommendations

RJW

RJW

Well-known member
Dec 23, 2005
1,631
108
63
SE Michigan
palmbeachgmc.com
I've had a Statpower TC40 converter/charger for the past 19 years. It was the one to get in the late 90s. It is still is running, however after
installing a Bogart TC2025-RV monitor system, its become apparent the TC40 is not operating in an optimum fashion.

Therefore I have decided to get a replacement converter/charger. I've looked at a few online. The thing I really liked about the TC40 was its remote
display. None of the units I've seen have remote displays.

I am looking for recommendations about what is available these days for less than $400 with good output (40+ amps) for 2 battery banks.

Thanks,
--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Manny Tranny etc.
 
I replaced my TC 40 with a Xantrex TC2 40 amp a couple of years ago. I bought it on Amazon.
I also have the remote panel and the battery temperature sensor. Be aware that there was an earlier version that some companies are still selling. The control panel for the earlier version is not compatible with the newest version.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> I've had a Statpower TC40 converter/charger for the past 19 years. It was the one to get in the late 90s. It is still is running, however after
> installing a Bogart TC2025-RV monitor system, its become apparent the TC40 is not operating in an optimum fashion.
>
> Therefore I have decided to get a replacement converter/charger. I've looked at a few online. The thing I really liked about the TC40 was its remote
> display. None of the units I've seen have remote displays.
>
> I am looking for recommendations about what is available these days for less than $400 with good output (40+ amps) for 2 battery banks.
>
> Thanks,
> --
> Richard
> 76 Palm Beach
> SE Michigan
> www.PalmBeachGMC.com
>
>
> Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Manny Tranny etc.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
> I've had a Statpower TC40 converter/charger for the past 19 years. It was the one to get in the late 90s. It is still is running, however after
> installing a Bogart TC2025-RV monitor system, its become apparent the TC40 is not operating in an optimum fashion.
>
> Therefore I have decided to get a replacement converter/charger. I've looked at a few online. The thing I really liked about the TC40 was its
> remote display. None of the units I've seen have remote displays.
>
> I am looking for recommendations about what is available these days for less than $400 with good output (40+ amps) for 2 battery banks.
>
> Thanks,

Richard,

Do you really have two separate banks to charge?

If you are thinking of the house and the main engine as two banks, then do it like this:
Get a PD9245 from Progressive Dynamics or a DLS-45 from Iota. Get the charge pendent for what you choose, you need it for the Iota, but it is just an
comforting indicator for the PD. Both are good 4-stage units.

That is for one each house bank. Both are available at your price point.

There are lots of things you can do for the main engine battery. Of course, as I sit here, I can remember a brand or model.
Trickle Start or something like that was one. It is for a single regular engine battery.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
> > I've had a Statpower TC40 converter/charger for the past 19 years. It was the one to get in the late 90s. It is still is running, however
> > after installing a Bogart TC2025-RV monitor system, its become apparent the TC40 is not operating in an optimum fashion.
> >
> > Therefore I have decided to get a replacement converter/charger. I've looked at a few online. The thing I really liked about the TC40 was its
> > remote display. None of the units I've seen have remote displays.
> >
> > I am looking for recommendations about what is available these days for less than $400 with good output (40+ amps) for 2 battery banks.
> >
> > Thanks,
>
> Richard,
>
> Do you really have two separate banks to charge?
>
> If you are thinking of the house and the main engine as two banks, then do it like this:
> Get a PD9245 from Progressive Dynamics or a DLS-45 from Iota. Get the charge pendent for what you choose, you need it for the Iota, but it is
> just an comforting indicator for the PD. Both are good 4-stage units.
>
> That is for one each house bank. Both are available at your price point.
>
> There are lots of things you can do for the main engine battery. Of course, as I sit here, I can remember a brand or model.
> Trickle Start or something like that was one. It is for a single regular engine battery.
>
> Matt


YES

I am adding a 2nd house battery bank for boon docking which I seem to do with more regularity. Six days out of seven this past week. The engine
battery is charged via a combiner when on shore power or APU.

--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Manny Tranny etc.
 
> > > I've had a Statpower TC40 converter/charger for the past 19 years. It was the one to get in the late 90s. It is still is running, however
> > > after installing a Bogart TC2025-RV monitor system, its become apparent the TC40 is not operating in an optimum fashion.
> > >
> > > Therefore I have decided to get a replacement converter/charger. I've looked at a few online. The thing I really liked about the TC40 was
> > > its remote display. None of the units I've seen have remote displays.
> > >
> > > I am looking for recommendations about what is available these days for less than $400 with good output (40+ amps) for 2 battery banks.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> >
> > Richard,
> >
> > Do you really have two separate banks to charge?
> >
> > If you are thinking of the house and the main engine as two banks, then do it like this:
> > Get a PD9245 from Progressive Dynamics or a DLS-45 from Iota. Get the charge pendent for what you choose, you need it for the Iota, but it is
> > just an comforting indicator for the PD. Both are good 4-stage units.
> >
> > That is for one each house bank. Both are available at your price point.
> >
> > There are lots of things you can do for the main engine battery. Of course, as I sit here, I can remember a brand or model.
> > Trickle Start or something like that was one. It is for a single regular engine battery.
> >
> > Matt
>
>
> YES
>
> I am adding a 2nd house battery bank for boon docking which I seem to do with more regularity. Six days out of seven this past week. The engine
> battery is charged via a combiner when on shore power or APU.

Richard,

We need to talk. Call sometime. I'm available a lot in the evenings.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
I put a PD-9245 in our coach shortly after we bought it ten years ago. It is plug and play and has been trouble free. The only thing I did to
improve the charge rate was to replace the wire from the charger to the terminal at the back of the power compartment, with a #8 cable. If the house
batteries are a but low, my Trimetric meter will show a 40+ amp charge at first (rapidly diminishing).
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
I installed a PowerMax PM4-55 last year. One of my design goals was to maximize the output of my little 1K inverter generator when charging the
batteries without solar during boondocking times. I have performed many different types of measurements on the system and found this converter charger
to work very well in all of those circumstances.

Our coach uses two GC6s in the back, and one very large 12 volt deep cycle in the front for house batteries. The two banks are interconnected through
several feet of 10 gauge wire with a 30 amp circuit breaker on either end. A combiner connects the front house battery to the chassis battery.

When I run my batteries down to the minimum recommended level, I can bring them to nearly 100% by connecting to AC for 4-5 hours. Of course with
solar, I usually will not have to run the generator at all.

Originally, I was thinking about going with a higher-capacity converter, but then I would have to run the Honda 6010, instead of the quiet little tiny
generator.

--
Dan Wallace
Detroit Metro
1974 Canyon Lands 260
Headers, 3.55, 16"
Floor plan 26-9
 
Why would you need 2 chargers for 2 house banks? Just wire them in parallel and run one charger.
Running 2 separate banks with 2 chargers and 2 sets of wire would be a real pain for no real gain

--
Justin Brady
http://www.thegmcrv.com/
1976 Palm Beach 455
 
Richard,
We used Samlex chargers at some remote radio tower sites for backup batteries. They can charge 2 battery banks and have a remote control panel
available. They can also charge a "loaded battery" which is what we are doing in the RVs.

I've never had a Samlex power supply fail. We've had some units running for near 20 years at >60% of rated capacity. That's much better than I can
say for name brand equipment at 10 times the price running at much less average power.

http://www.samlexamerica.com/products/ProductsList.aspx?cid=S14


--
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
 
Is something wrong with the + 40? It has the capability to be hooked up to charge 3 seperate battery banks.
--
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
 
He really only has one battery bank with a #10 wire connecting the two GC6s
and the 12V deep charge battery together as one bank.
You will use a charge controller to charge from solar. It will not use any
of the other charging paths.
Paths:
1. Engine alternator.
2. Solar Charge controller.
3. Shore power/ generator with the Power Max.

> Is something wrong with the + 40? It has the capability to be hooked up
> to charge 3 seperate battery banks.
> --
> Roy Keen
> Minden,NV
> 76 X Glenbrook
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--

*John Phillips*
 
> Richard,
> We used Samlex chargers at some remote radio tower sites for backup batteries. They can charge 2 battery banks and have a remote control panel
> available. They can also charge a "loaded battery" which is what we are doing in the RVs.
>
> I've never had a Samlex power supply fail. We've had some units running for near 20 years at >60% of rated capacity. That's much better than I
> can say for name brand equipment at 10 times the price running at much less average power.
>
> http://www.samlexamerica.com/products/ProductsList.aspx?cid=S14

Bruce,
I have a Samplex pure sine wave inverter that works well. I didn't know they also manufactured converter/chargers. Thanks for the link.
--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Manny Tranny etc.
 
> Is something wrong with the + 40? It has the capability to be hooked up to charge 3 seperate battery banks.

It used to work fine. The past 6 months or so it will not keep the house battery bank charged. A few days ago I was plugged into a friends house
while spending a few days and just ran our 3 fantastic fans to keep cool. It wouldn't even keep up with that load. I have new 6-volt batteries, all
connections were checked for tightness and corrosion and it is still not charging correctly. My Trimetric battery monitor shows sometimes upwards to
max of ~9 amps charge to low of ~2-3 amps discharge while plugged in. Voltage never seems to exceed ~13 volts. I've checked the voltage at the
battery bank with a multimeter and get the same readings. Most of the time I can never get a 100% full charge no matter how long I'm plugged in with
nothing using DC volts other than the LP gas monitor and the circuit board in the reefer. Last year it worked fine. I figure after 19+ years, the
TC40 needs replacing before it dies completely while I'm out camping.

--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Manny Tranny etc.
 
> Richard,
> We used Samlex chargers at some remote radio tower sites for backup batteries. They can charge 2 battery banks and have a remote control panel
> available. They can also charge a "loaded battery" which is what we are doing in the RVs.
>
> I've never had a Samlex power supply fail. We've had some units running for near 20 years at >60% of rated capacity. That's much better than I
> can say for name brand equipment at 10 times the price running at much less average power.
>
> http://www.samlexamerica.com/products/ProductsList.aspx?cid=S14

Bruce,

Many years ago now, I tried to get a Samlex for a client and even the people that knew about them (more or less) would not sell me one because they
did not want to deal with "importing" it. (All the way from BC?)

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
I have had one Samlex 1223 fail on me. Probably caused by failure of an electrolytic filter capacitor. I simply replaced it and also use one with higher amperage output.

D C "Mac" Macdonald​
Amateur Radio K2GKK​
Since 30 November '53​
USAF and FAA, Retired​
Member GMCMI & Classics​
Oklahoma City, OK​
"The Money Pit"​
TZE166V101966​
'76 ex-Palm Beach

________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Matt Colie
Sent: Thursday, August 9, 2018 08:26
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] converter/charger recommendations

> Richard,
> We used Samlex chargers at some remote radio tower sites for backup batteries. They can charge 2 battery banks and have a remote control panel
> available. They can also charge a "loaded battery" which is what we are doing in the RVs.
>
> I've never had a Samlex power supply fail. We've had some units running for near 20 years at >60% of rated capacity. That's much better than I
> can say for name brand equipment at 10 times the price running at much less average power.
>
> https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.samlexamerica.com%2Fproducts%2FProductsList.aspx%3Fcid%3DS14&data=02%7C01%7C%7C907af67e22ae4138bd4708d5fdfcae47%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636694184043635277&sdata=%2B52KHYoVBW1rfWeEcUXbaEnONs93zpdSkExPZJq6gA0%3D&reserved=0

Bruce,

Many years ago now, I tried to get a Samlex for a client and even the people that knew about them (more or less) would not sell me one because they
did not want to deal with "importing" it. (All the way from BC?)

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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> > Richard,
> > We used Samlex chargers at some remote radio tower sites for backup batteries. They can charge 2 battery banks and have a remote control panel
> > available. They can also charge a "loaded battery" which is what we are doing in the RVs.
> >
> > I've never had a Samlex power supply fail. We've had some units running for near 20 years at >60% of rated capacity. That's much better than
> > I can say for name brand equipment at 10 times the price running at much less average power.
> >
> > http://www.samlexamerica.com/products/ProductsList.aspx?cid=S14
>
> Bruce,
>
> Many years ago now, I tried to get a Samlex for a client and even the people that knew about them (more or less) would not sell me one because
> they did not want to deal with "importing" it. (All the way from BC?)
>
> Matt


Matt,

They are currently available on Amazon. I am looking at a 50 amp unit priced at ~$320.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=+SEC-1250UL&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3A+SEC-1250UL

Don't know if the link will work, but search for "Samlex SEC-1250UL Three Stage Battery Chargers"

--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Manny Tranny etc.
 
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