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11-19-2013, 04:47 PM
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#41
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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So if we upgrade the solar controller, we can skip the converter upgrade? Why do both?
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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11-19-2013, 04:53 PM
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#42
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2002 Escape 13'
Posts: 967
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True...if you have enough sun... When's your new trailer due?...and are you going to pick it up?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
So if we upgrade the solar controller, we can skip the converter upgrade? Why do both?
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11-19-2013, 05:05 PM
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#43
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: N/A, Indiana
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 976
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Is the difference between the PM4B-45 main board replacement, and the plain ole PM4B-45, just the connectivity stuff for an extra $15.00 ? j
The PM4B-45 is covered and deck mounted and you provide the wiring.
The PM4B-45 MBA 4-Stage Main Board Replacement is pre wired to swap out with the WFCO OE converter. Since it is installed in the conveter housing the main board does not need a protective housing.Replaces any WFCO 8900 series power center main board assembly. Guaranteed perfect fit.
__________________
"Never argue with an idiot. They only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." George Carlin
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11-19-2013, 05:07 PM
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#44
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotfishtacos
True...if you have enough sun... When's your new trailer due?...and are you going to pick it up?
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Will be completed next week, delivery the following week. TRying to beat the weather.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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11-19-2013, 05:25 PM
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#45
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,636
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
Will be completed next week, delivery the following week. TRying to beat the weather.
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Good thing your trailer will not have to travel our way on it's journey home to you Jim. We have already had a couple of big dumps of snow and it is now getting really cold out (below -20°C tonite).
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad
"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
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11-19-2013, 06:46 PM
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#46
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Wow, you guys are hearty souls.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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11-19-2013, 07:50 PM
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#47
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,883
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotfishtacos
which takes the charging voltage up to where it should be and is just a much higher quality, adjustable unit. I set the initial charging voltage to 14.9VDC (temp compensated)
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My compliments on your post, particularly the mention of charging at the proper voltage for wet cell batteries. I believe the WFCO controller/charger will top out a charge at 13.4VDC. By charging at the higher rate of 14.9VDC, as recommended by Trojan, you are getting 111% more charge in the battery(s). The TriStar controller is putting out great charges and the fact it is temperature compensated makes it a top choice.
Regarding the PM4-45 MBA, what has been your experience with the replacement? Jubal, you are experienced in electrical systems and I know you did some wire upgrades for thicker gauge, have you tried this? It appears to be a three stage charger with charge rates of 13.2/13.6/14.4, if it gets out of the middle stage and actually charges at 14.4 it would be nice. Is it $175 nice?
Can you order your trailer with an upgraded WFCO model? I know, ask Reace. I will put that on my request list. I am also interested in Trojan T105 batteries in place of the Interstates they are using. I also plan to ship the wiring harness for a Trimetric TM2025 so it can be installed during the build. Thank you for that recommendation Brian.
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
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11-19-2013, 08:12 PM
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#48
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2002 Escape 13'
Posts: 967
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Thanks for the compliment! My converter is the latest 4-stage model and "boost" charges at 14.6VDC. Here it is; 45 Amp 4-Stage Main Board Replacement
Steve
Quote:
Originally Posted by fudge_brownie
My compliments on your post, particularly the mention of charging at the proper voltage for wet cell batteries. I believe the WFCO controller/charger will top out a charge at 13.4VDC. By charging at the higher rate of 14.9VDC, as recommended by Trojan, you are getting 111% more charge in the battery(s). The TriStar controller is putting out great charges and the fact it is temperature compensated makes it a top choice.
Regarding the PM4-45 MBA, what has been your experience with the replacement? Jubal, you are experienced in electrical systems and I know you did some wire upgrades for thicker gauge, have you tried this? It appears to be a three stage charger with charge rates of 13.2/13.6/14.4, if it gets out of the middle stage and actually charges at 14.4 it would be nice. Is it $175 nice?
Can you order your trailer with an upgraded WFCO model? I know, ask Reace. I will put that on my request list. I am also interested in Trojan T105 batteries in place of the Interstates they are using. I also plan to ship the wiring harness for a Trimetric TM2025 so it can be installed during the build. Thank you for that recommendation Brian.
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11-19-2013, 08:49 PM
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#49
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: 19'
Posts: 326
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotfishtacos
I upgraded with a TriStar TS-45 Solar Controller which takes the charging voltage up to where it should be and is just a much higher quality, adjustable unit. .
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Hi hotfishtacos, in my quest to learn more about all things electrical, I searched TriStar TS-45 and found these 2 possible candidates. Wondering if you got either of these?
- TS-45 Morningstar 45A 12/24/48V Solar Charge PWM Controller
or
- TS-45-MPPT TriStar 45A 12/24/48VDC MPPT Solar Charge Controller
Wondered if you also got this doodad Tristar TS-M2 Digital Meter for Tristar Controllers?
j
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11-19-2013, 11:35 PM
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#50
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2002 Escape 13'
Posts: 967
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Jamie, I got the TS-45 without the MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) option. I thought that was overkill for me. I did get the TS-M2 Meter and added a temp sensor on my batteries for temperature compensation. It is now essentially a commercial grade, programmable solar charging system.
Steve
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamie beers
Hi hotfishtacos, in my quest to learn more about all things electrical, I searched TriStar TS-45 and found these 2 possible candidates. Wondering if you got either of these?
- TS-45 Morningstar 45A 12/24/48V Solar Charge PWM Controller
or
- TS-45-MPPT TriStar 45A 12/24/48VDC MPPT Solar Charge Controller
Wondered if you also got this doodad Tristar TS-M2 Digital Meter for Tristar Controllers?
j
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11-20-2013, 08:01 AM
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#51
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: 19'
Posts: 326
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Cool, thanks for the reply! j
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11-20-2013, 08:44 AM
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#52
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: N/A, Indiana
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 976
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Jubal, you are experienced in electrical systems and I know you did some wire upgrades for thicker gauge, have you tried this?
When I installed the PM4-45 MBA converter the only wiring change I made was using a 8 guage wire (was 10 ga) to connect the 12 V ground out of the WYCO distribution unit to the ground junction to equal the 8 guage 12 V battery positive wire that connects the WYCO unit to the batteries.
The adantages of the PM4-45 MBA converter :
It does not hesitate to transition to the bulk charge rate on demand. Better for generator use.
It is a four stage charger. PM4B models now includes built-in desulfation cycle to prevent stratification that can lead to battery sulfation.
I also made the change so I could use the PM4-45 MBA to maintain the batteries rather than buy a seperate exterior charger.
Concerning batteries:
http://www.helioselectric.com/sales/...roducts_id=288
__________________
"Never argue with an idiot. They only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." George Carlin
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11-20-2013, 12:15 PM
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#53
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: 19'
Posts: 326
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Anyone have any experience with the 1000W or 1500W inverters Escape installs? Quality? Function? Upgrades? j
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11-20-2013, 12:45 PM
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#54
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Auburn, California
Trailer: 2012 17B
Posts: 120
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I've got the 1500 watt inverter. I don't speak electric at all. What I can say is I ran the furnace for almost 24 hours in heavily overcast skies and the light gauge (with water and tanks measured as well, whatever that is called) said 3/4 charge and the digital one below the dinette said 83 and 12.5.
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11-20-2013, 05:24 PM
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#55
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 251
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I had a1000 watt inverter installed. The samlex unit comes with a remote panel for power readings and on/off. Escape did a nice job installing it and the unit works well.
Dave
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11-20-2013, 09:35 PM
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#56
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: 19'
Posts: 326
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Thanks for the responses. j
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12-18-2013, 01:50 PM
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#57
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: 19'
Posts: 326
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotfishtacos
Jamie, I got the TS-45 without the MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) option. I thought that was overkill for me. I did get the TS-M2 Meter and added a temp sensor on my batteries for temperature compensation. It is now essentially a commercial grade, programmable solar charging system.
Steve
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Just thinking more newbie thoughts about getting the most out of batteries/solar. I imagine that one could reasonably get the TS-45 controller and Trimetric 2025 monitor, without the TS-M2 meter. Seems like the TS-M2 would not be needed with the Trimetric monitor? j
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01-29-2014, 08:08 PM
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#58
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Peru, New York
Trailer: 2014 19' hatch date Feb. 27
Posts: 123
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bvansnell
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Hi Brian, How long did it take to complete your TM Battery monitor installation? Thanks
Howard
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