Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

-Howard,

I have just ordered 2-DLS-45 for my 1987 FC 35, and have talked to a
lot of BB people. There are 6-Trogen T105's in my coach, and I can
only fit either the DLS-45 or 55 in my space. I have been told that
Blue Bird provided Iota DLS-45's in their wide body models in the
early 90's. Make sure to order the IQ-4 parallel unit, an $35
option. I used solarseller.com as a supplier, phone: 562-423-4879
speak to John Drake. DLS-45's $125 each; DLS-55's $150 each IQ-4
$35. They shipped the order from California to New York for $17.50
They take credit cards on phone orders. Pay Pal on the web. shipping
higher on the web. Note, we also removed the blower unit, not
needed, and the mounting shelf. We are going to mount on the wall
of the compartment. A lot easier then drilling mounting holes on
the shelf.

Dan, '87 FC35 SB
Somers, NY

-- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Howard O. Truitt"
wrote:
>
> Fellows,
> I need your input. I am looking at changing my old battery
boilers. I have been reading about IOTA CHARGERS.
> I notice a lot of posts about using the DLS-45 Amp output. The old
chargers are 60 amp. each. Would it be better to put two 55 amp or
even two 75 amp.
> Can you disconnect the old chargers and use the same wireing and
regulators.
> Where have you found the best pricing.
> Thanks,
> Howard Truitt
> Camilla, Ga.
> 86 PT40
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

I replaced mine a few years ago with Progressive Dynamics chargers....Curt
Sprenger did the same on his 87 PT. they offer, as an option, the charge
Wizard, which is a neat option that monitors you batteries, and does a good job
of keeping your batteries as healthy as possible, particularly when not used of
extended periods of time. Curt has the charge Wizard, I don't (Curt has
more money than I do, besides Curt always does the ultimate!!..Hi curt!) Good
service....if they break, send it in, and they will send you a new or refurb
unit for about 1/3rd the cost of a new one. They have some good deals on
their website...check it out....\

_www.progressivedyn.com_ (http://www.progressivedyn.com)

If you have a lot of money, and don't mind spending it, I hear the TruCharge
units are really nice too, but too pricey for me. I'd look at both of them.
You could always go all out, and go with a new big inverter/charger
combo....really big bucks!! Like a Trace or Heart.....

BTW, you old chargers don't work too good as boat anchors, unless you put a
good eyebolt on the top, and through the whole case...they work great as a
SeaDo anchor, as is.

Kevin McKeown
Yorba Linda, CA
1986 38' PT (For Sale)



************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The chargers on my 84PT40, 6v92 DD, have finally stopped or at least I
think they actually discharging the batteries. Bob Loomis told me years
ago to replace them and use them for boat anchors, but I never did.

Any suggestions or advice on replacing the chargers cheaply would be
appreciated.

Bill Garlen
Jesup, GA
84PT40

The TruCharge units are available at http://sunelec.com/ (in the forum
Links as Sun Electronics). They are Factory Refurbished with full one
year warranty. Today's price is listed at $220 each. They were
listed at $149 6 months ago. :^(

The Progressive Dynamics has better deals on re-furbs today at
http://www.progressivedyn.com/hotdeals.html

FWIW,

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX





--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, krminyl@... wrote:
>
> I replaced mine a few years ago with Progressive Dynamics
chargers....Curt
> Sprenger did the same on his 87 PT. they offer, as an option, the
charge
> Wizard, which is a neat option that monitors you batteries, and does
a good job
> of keeping your batteries as healthy as possible, particularly when
not used of
> extended periods of time. Curt has the charge Wizard, I don't
(Curt has
> more money than I do, besides Curt always does the ultimate!!..Hi
curt!) Good
> service....if they break, send it in, and they will send you a new
or refurb
> unit for about 1/3rd the cost of a new one. They have some good
deals on
> their website...check it out....\
>
> _www.progressivedyn.com_ (http://www.progressivedyn.com)
>
> If you have a lot of money, and don't mind spending it, I hear the
TruCharge
> units are really nice too, but too pricey for me. I'd look at both
of them.
> You could always go all out, and go with a new big inverter/charger
> combo....really big bucks!! Like a Trace or Heart.....
>
> BTW, you old chargers don't work too good as boat anchors, unless
you put a
> good eyebolt on the top, and through the whole case...they work
great as a
> SeaDo anchor, as is.
>
> Kevin McKeown
> Yorba Linda, CA
> 1986 38' PT (For Sale)
>
>
>
> ************************************** See what's new at
http://www.aol.com
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

You can get "cheap" or "good" but not both. You need a 3-stage
charger/controller for the most efficient charging and longer battery
life. It may also be the time to replace your inverter with a new one
that includes a 3-stage charger. This will not be cheap, but it will
be a considerable upgrade to your current situation.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Idaho Springs, CO



On Oct 18, 2007, at 8:02 AM, jesupbill wrote:

> The chargers on my 84PT40, 6v92 DD, have finally stopped or at least I
> think they actually discharging the batteries. Bob Loomis told me
> years
> ago to replace them and use them for boat anchors, but I never did.
>
> Any suggestions or advice on replacing the chargers cheaply would be
> appreciated.
>
> Bill Garlen
> Jesup, GA
> 84PT40
>

Bill,

If you use conventional batteries (as oppossed to glassmat or gel), I think
you
will find Iota battery chargers are the best for the money. There is a
reason some
some manufacturers have rebuilt stores and it is because a lot of their
product
breaks in warranty. John Drake Services (http://www.solarseller.com) has great
prices
and service (no personal connection)

Steve Pfiffner
Wannabee and long time off grid survivor


----- Original Message -----
From: "jesupbill"
To:
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 9:02 AM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery Chargers


> The chargers on my 84PT40, 6v92 DD, have finally stopped or at least I
> think they actually discharging the batteries. Bob Loomis told me years
> ago to replace them and use them for boat anchors, but I never did.
>
> Any suggestions or advice on replacing the chargers cheaply would be
> appreciated.
>
> Bill Garlen
> Jesup, GA
> 84PT40

I just replaced my single expired charger with 2 Progressive Dynamics
PD9270R 70 AMP RV Converter/Chargers and they seem to be working very
well. Cost each was $194.00 and the install was easy.

Alvie Miller
Arthur IL
93 WLWB

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, krminyl@... wrote:
>
> I replaced mine a few years ago with Progressive Dynamics
chargers....Curt
> Sprenger did the same on his 87 PT. they offer, as an option, the
charge
> Wizard, which is a neat option that monitors you batteries, and
does a good job
> of keeping your batteries as healthy as possible, particularly when
not used of
> extended periods of time. Curt has the charge Wizard, I don't
(Curt has
> more money than I do, besides Curt always does the ultimate!!..Hi
curt!) Good
> service....if they break, send it in, and they will send you a new
or refurb
> unit for about 1/3rd the cost of a new one. They have some good
deals on
> their website...check it out....\
>
> _www.progressivedyn.com_ (http://www.progressivedyn.com)
>
> If you have a lot of money, and don't mind spending it, I hear the
TruCharge
> units are really nice too, but too pricey for me. I'd look at
both of them.
> You could always go all out, and go with a new big
inverter/charger
> combo....really big bucks!! Like a Trace or Heart.....
>
> BTW, you old chargers don't work too good as boat anchors, unless
you put a
> good eyebolt on the top, and through the whole case...they work
great as a
> SeaDo anchor, as is.
>
> Kevin McKeown
> Yorba Linda, CA
> 1986 38' PT (For Sale)
>
>
>
> ************************************** See what's new at
http://www.aol.com
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Hi Bill,

I replaced my chargers with a Xantrex Prosine 2.0 Charger/Invterter
2 years ago. If your coach had/has the rediline charger, it is easy to
swap out the rediline and install the Xantrex in its place. It was not
a cheap unit, but has improved our enjoyment of the coach
dramatically. The batteries (6 ea. 6 volt golf cart) are easily topped
off within 8 hours and have not gassed or gotten crusty on me since
the old chargers were replaced. Hydrometer tests of the battery cells
at full charge have rarely varied from a value of 1.29 among all 18
cells. The Xantrex also has a much higher operating temp range than
other units. In my case, the rediline compartment gets over 130
degrees pretty regularly.

Shane Fedeli
1985 PT40
Hershey, PA

-- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jesupbill" wrote:
>
> The chargers on my 84PT40, 6v92 DD, have finally stopped or at least I
> think they actually discharging the batteries. Bob Loomis told me years
> ago to replace them and use them for boat anchors, but I never did.
>
> Any suggestions or advice on replacing the chargers cheaply would be
> appreciated.
>
> Bill Garlen
> Jesup, GA
> 84PT40
>