Chuck,
A large number of GMC Netters have installed statpower 40 unit in the
last year. (notice I didn't say 40+) I was able to get a refurbished
unit for $147 US last spring before the price when up. I am really
impressed with the unit, it does everything that it is supposed to do.
I am reposting a early reply that I had sent out. The unit is available
for about $200 US refurbished if Statpower has any left. You can go to
there Web site at:
http://www.statpower.com/home.htm
The original converter is not a very good charger, has a tendency to
overcharge and gas out your batteries causing them to fail sooner than
later. I have been very impressed with my Statpower 40 and its
operation, it is truly a smart unit. I will admit that I also was
unaware of the fan noise until I got it installed and running. Although
you can hear the fan running at times after awhile I almost don't hear
it run. The auto charging and holding the batteries at charge and
providing all the DC power you can use without draining the batteries
while plugged into house power is great. Todd also makes a
converter/charger which cost more that the 40. It also has a fan, but I
will admit that I know very little about it. Max at Buskirks has one
installed in his coach. The use of a battery charger to charge your
house batteries will not be much better than using the old buzz box that
you already own. The battery charge will shorten the life of your
batteries because you will gas them out every time. I am going to make
a statement here, "It's not how you charge your batteries, but HOW you
charge them". The Statpower 40 goes thru a charging sequence that does
not stress the battery and thru the charge cycle will take the battery
to almost 100% charge. Using a regular battery charger the most you
could expect to recover is about 80% of useful charge. If you need to
hitch an external charger to your batteries, consider them as one big
battery and you hitch the positive to the terminal that your house
positive is hitch to and the negative to chassis.
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
77 Eleganza II
Michigan
>
> Seriously considering installing the Truecharge 40+. Looking for experience
> other than Wes Caughlan's in his September 1998 GMC News, Coach Talk.
>
> Sounds like a good system and a worth while improvement.
>
> Also looking for any GMC net people who know or can recommend a good source
> to buy it.
>
> Chuck Botts, San Diego, 23' remodeled.
