Using A Progressive Dynamics Mighty Mini AC/DC Panel Converter Charger To Make A Mobile Office

Question:

Hello. I am adding power to a cargo trailer to make it a mobile office. Circling around Progressive Dynamics Mighty Mini as a AC/DC Panel - PD4045KA. I will use a 30a shore power or generator. According to the install manual I would need to connect from a 15a breaker on the AC side to the DC side converter. Does that mean I am limited to 15a output on the DC side? Or should I use a bigger breaker like 20a from AC to DC side? I plan to have a few laptops, and multi monitor setup for each. Wanting to run the monitors on DC source so they will use battery in case of AC fault or unavailability. Due to cost, instead of buying a complete converter/charger/transfer switch solution maybe down the road, Im planning to wire up a couple DC cigarette lighter outlets and use power car type power converters for the monitors. Im sure 15a is plenty to do what I need for now, but didnt want to limit myself for future if I have to pull more.

asked by: Adam W

Expert Reply:

You are correct that you'll need to attach the AC Converter Hot (Black Wire) to a 15 amp breaker when installing the Progressive Dynamics Mighty Mini AC/DC Panel and Converter/Smart Charger # PD4045KA. You will not be limited to 15 amps on the DC side because 6 amps AC power equals about 40 amps DC power. This unit has 7 AC branch circuits rated at 30 amps and two 30 amp DC fuses and ten 20 amp DC fuses to power your equipment. This converter charger uses shore power to quickly charge your RV batteries and works with lithium-ion, flooded lead acid, AGM, and gel batteries.

expert reply by: Kevin C

Greg S.

10/29/2024

Hi Kevin; Can I connect the PD4045KV to an automatic transfer switch (PD5110010V) so that the converter/charger section only operates when on shore power and not when running the inverter (i.e. when shore power not available)? If so, is there a wiring instruction to do this for the PD4045KV? I’m not clear on how to wire it given the converter needs to be connected to a 15amp breaker as you mentioned. I need to make sure I avoid a “loop” in current when running my inverter. Thanks you in advance.

Kevin C.

10/30/2024

@GregS The # PD4045KA only has one bus bar powering the circuits so as long as the converter is on the same bar as the power coming in from the inverter it's going to form a power loop. There are a few options though to get around this though. The simplest method would be to just flip the breaker off for the converter charger when you plan on using the inverter. Some inverters will have an internal transfer switch and require a subpanel. You'd put all the circuit breakers you'd want powered by the inverter in the subpanel and leave the circuit breaker for the converter charger in the main panel. Progressive Dynamics has their models # PD64FR setup like this. Go Power's # 34275013 would have you disconnect the converter charger in the main panel since it has one built into it and would only activate when the trailer is connected to shore power. What Inverter do you have?

Greg S.

10/30/2024

@KevinC Thanks very much for the detailed reply. As I looked at things closer i came up with a similar conclusion. I’m presently using the GoPower ISW1500 Inverter. It is presently connected to the GoPower TS-30 along with shore power. And the outputs feed into my older Parallax 6730D (not lithium compatible); one for the AC panel and one directly to the converter/charger section which is only activated with shore power. So the present system works great but not for my new lithium battery. So I’m having to by a replacement unit and looking at the PD4045kv.

Kevin C.

10/31/2024

@GregS The # PD4045KA would work as a lithium compatible replacement but it does have a higher amperage rating so you'd need to run 6 gauge wire between the battery and # PD4045KA to safely carry the charge over to the battery.