Which Progressive Dynamics Converter for RV with 3 AGM Batteries?

Published 12/03/2019

Question:

HI My converter give up yesterday ,i knock it check the 3 fuses,clean them had dielectric ,put them back and converter working so the cooling fan witch i never heard running the last 5 yrs even when the unit is so hot cannot touch it with hand. but now the fan run all time at low speed,so i prefer to replace it is it a plus to upgrade to the PD9280A , ,i Have one chassis batt optima and 2 houses batt optima AGM too. if the converter upgrade from 60 to 80 amps,may be the fan never need to kick on are those progressive product good for my 3 AGM Optima batt ? or should i switch to better product manufacturer always go to the cheapest thank you so much for your time

asked by: Serge G

Helpful Expert Reply:

The fan on your Progressive Dynamics # PD9260C running more often than usual could mean a couple of things are going on here; and you're correct in thinking that most of them aren't a good sign. It sounds like you've cleaned out the vents on the converter as well as changed the fuses, but one of the telltale signs that your converter is going out is that it's overcharging your battery. I recommend checking the voltage on your batteries; they should be around 13.5v if the converter is still working properly and would be in the 14v + range if the converter is overcharging your batteries. If this is the case, you'll want to disconnect the batteries from the converter immediately in order to avoid further damaging anything.

When it comes to the Progressive Dynamics # PD9260C, these are a quality product and are designed to work with the AGM batteries that you've got on your Newmar Canyon Star, so I don't think that the batteries are overworking the converter in this case.

In order to replace your converter, it's generally a good idea to try to use one that is rated at about 30% of the total amperage of your batteries. If you've got 3 batteries rated at 60 amp hours each for 180- 30% of that is going to be 54 amps; so you wouldn't want to replace your # PD9260C with the # PD9280A because it would end up doing damage to your batteries. Being slightly over the amp rating isn't going to harm the batteries, it would just charge them a bit faster, but being considerably over would cause your batteries to go bad faster than they should.

If you can tell me what the total amperage rating of your 3 batteries is, I can help you find the appropriate replacement converter.

expert reply by: Erik B