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moro1129 View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Converter replacement
    Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 1:25pm
Hello, I need help identifying the correct converter replacement for my 2016 178 rpod. The 8900 MBA Series shows 55 amp. Am i looking at the right replacement??
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podwerkz View Drop Down
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Posts: 966 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 2:39pm
The factory unit is/was probably a 30 or 35 amp charger.

You might need or want more capacity if you have doubled your batteries and need to charge them quickly, but, keep in mind a 55 amp charger can/will pull more from your shore supply or generator. 
r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 3:45pm
It is a WFCO product and is supposed to be 55A max in bulk charge mode but rarely if ever gets there in my experience. Mine gets stuck in a mode sometimes where it cycles in and out of bulk charge mode for a few seconds which is annoying. I would suggest looking at a Progressive Dynamics Charger rather than getting another WFCO. The PD ones seem to have a good reputation but I can’t claim to have any personal experience.
1994 Chinook Concourse
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PilotPodder View Drop Down
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Posts: 305 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 7:53pm
I have full video on the replacement process. 
Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — My RPod YouTube Videos
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moro1129 View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 8:50pm
Thank you John,  this video is what's got me this far.  I just want to verify that the 55amp will not be too much for the 178 model.  I only have 1 battery hooked up.  
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 9:55pm
55 amp is the normal converter amperage for the Pod.  That's the stock amperage rating.
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moro1129 View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 10:05pm
Thank you all!  Ordered and eager to get it in before my first Rally. Wish me luck.  I'm sure I'll watch the youtube video 20 times before I get it right!  ~Amanda
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podwerkz View Drop Down
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Posts: 966 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2019 at 10:14pm
Originally posted by lostagain

55 amp is the normal converter amperage for the Pod.  That's the stock amperage rating.

Ah OK....well mine is a 171 and it has the 35 amp converter/charger.

Maybe it's because it does not have a slide so a bit less power is consumed or needed.
r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
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furpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 7:04am
Originally posted by podwerkz


Originally posted by lostagain

55 amp is the normal converter amperage for the Pod.  That's the stock amperage rating.

Ah OK....well mine is a 171 and it has the 35 amp converter/charger.
Maybe it's because it does not have a slide so a bit less power is consumed or needed.

The latest builds are now using a 35A converter/charger. I do not know the reason why. I had hoped to find out at the minimini rally last fall, but had to cancel at the last minute. Next time I talk to the factory I will try to remember to bring it up..
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 7:10am
Originally posted by podwerkz

 
Maybe it's because it does not have a slide so a bit less power is consumed or needed.

The slide shouldn't matter, the battery acts as a buffer to provide the current needed and the battery capacity used by the side is trivial because its only running for a few seconds. The WFCO 55A charger rarely actually produces 55A, it quickly goes into absorption charge mode and the current drops off rapidly. 

Anyhow, most flooded deep cycle battery manufacturers recommend a maximum charge rate of only about 10% of the 20 hour capacity rating, so that would be about 20-25A for a 225AH battery bank.  And if you turn all the 12V stuff in your pod on at once (except the fridge which you should really never do unless towing) its still only about 15A draw. So your 35A charger is fine. 

The real benefit from a higher charge current would be to reduce generator runtime recharging if you are boondocking. Even at 55A the charger is only consuming around 800 watts. Doubling that would recharge a dual battery system in about an hour from 50% and would still run on a 2kw genny. 
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1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
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