Replacement Converter for American CS-XL with Wiring Diagram

Updated 11/15/2024 | Published 11/11/2024

Question:

2007 Scamp 16 deluxe. “American CS-XL” converter has failed. Is the Progressive Dynamics PD4045 a suitable replacement? The American converter has 4 15 amp breakers on the 110 side and 6 20 amp fuses on the 12 volt side being used. Shore power is 30 amp hookup and everything will also run fine when hooked up to household current with an adapter, It looks to me like the PD4045 is more than enough to handle the very small requirements of the Scamp. I am puzzled by the wiring from the trailer battery to the American converter. The positive line from the battery is just hooked up to one of the six 20 amp fuses. It looks to me like the Progressive dynamics unit has special hookups for the trailer battery only? The ground wire from the battery to the American unit seems to be connected to the trailer frame as well as to a 12 volt grounding bus on the back of the unit. I am comfortable doing the rest of the wiring but I need to be sure I understand the differences between the old unit and the new one before I attempt doing it myself. I thank you for any advice you can give me, and will place an order once I am satisfied that I can handle the repair

asked by: David L

Expert Reply:

Hello David.

That is a great question. I reached out to our friends at Progressive Dynamics who confirmed that the Progressive Dynamics 4000 Series Mini RV Converter w/ Charge Wizard and AC/DC Distribution Panel # PD4045KA will work as a replacement for the American CS-XL, especially what you currently have hooked up. The cutout however might not match up, the cut out needed for this unit is: 10-3/4" long x 7-1/4" tall.

They also supplied me with a wiring diagram as well so you can see how the new unit will install.

-In the 4045 the positive line from the battery will go to the lug circled in this diagram (first image, circled in red).

-The negative wire would go to the lug marked GND/WHT this wire then goes to a block on the chassis (second image, circled in blue).

If you have any other questions, please let me know.

expert reply by: Kate F

Progressive Dynamics wiring diagram for PD4045KA
(click to enlarge)

David L.

11/14/2024

Kate F, Thank you for your reply, it was very helpful. In the last sentence of your reply when you say “chassis” are you referring to the converter chassis or the trailer chassis? I should also have asked about the large single strand bare copper wire attached to the 12 volt grounding bus on the back of the American unit. Does this also need to be connected to the battery GND/WHT of the Progressive Dynamics unit? Thanks again, Dave

Kate F.

11/15/2024

@DavidL You only need to ground the wire to the trailer chassis. You will connect the wire to the grounding lug (blue circle), then ground it to the trailer chassis. The copper wire could have been set up for this ground. I would see where the current converter is grounded, and use the same ground for the new converter.