Kalusniak
Illinois
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I haven't operated the slide yet, heading out to do that later today.
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RoyB
King George, VA
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Most slides require the extra boost from the battery hookup...
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM me
Roy and Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
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Kalusniak
Illinois
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I will give the slide a shot. If not, I can crank it out manually for now.
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RoyB
King George, VA
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The next question is your power distribution center part of the Power Source and the 45AMP converter maybe is installed in a small compartment at the bottom of the unit by itself. What you want to do is the keep the Power Distribution Ceneter where all of the trailer wiring goes to each of the 120VAC Circuit Breakers and 12VDC Fuses. If you can keep this in-tact then all you have to replace in the PowerSource PC-45 Converter/Charger unit which is a separate unit from the Power Distribution Unit.
Locate this unit and observe its size. It us usually only slid into maybe the bottom part of the Power Distribution Center and can be easily removed by four bolts thru its its mounting feet. It will only have a 120VAC three wire connection and two larger Battery cables that connect to the Power Distribution Ceneter and your external battery. There may also be a solid wire copper cable that goes thru the floor and connects to the trailer frame ground.
The trick is find a unit that slip into the same compartment if that is how your unit is laid out.
Keep in mind you dont really have to install the replacement unit in this same location. The Converter/Charger unit only needs 120VAC to operate it and has to be connected the 12VDC connections of the Power Distribution Center and the Battery terminals.
I reccommend the Progressive Dynamics model "smart-mode_ charging unit. If you are only planning to have two batteries installed the 45 AMP model is ok. If you go to more batteries then the 55AMP or 60AMP units would be a better thing to use. The big deal is to only replace your unit with a "SMART-MODE" charging unit.
I also reccommend that you NOT go for a WFCO product as they have had a well documentated trail of not going into the smart-mode charging modes when needed to for one reason or another.
The PD4600 series or PD9200 series Converter/Chargers go into smart-mode charging every time. They even have a manual push button mode to do this smart-mode charging manually. Cost will be in the $160 range.
Bestconverters is a good place to get these unita - Ask for Randy. However, Randy probably has a hard time getting rid of his stock of WFCO Converter/Chargers models but don't let him talk you into one. Read up on this forum on how everyone hates the WFCO Converter products...
I still have the WFCO WF8900 seeries Power Distribution center (Which I love) with a WF-8945 COnverter/charger (Which I dont love) installed in the bottom compartment.
I did everything I could think of trying to get this unit to go into the 14.4VDC smart mode charging. After all the hard work and expense of beefing up things which I would have done anyway it still would go into the 14.4VDc charging mode except maybe for 10 seconds.
I then purchased a Progressive Dynamics PD9260C 60AMP converter/charger and mounted it stand-alone as cloes to the battery bank as I could get it and still be inside my trailer. It is right at five-feet away from the batteries.
I use the WF8945 converter/unit for when I am always hooked up to shore power and only use the PD9260C unit when I am camping in the woods and need to re-charge my battery bank in the short 2-3 hour time period running from my generator setup. I just flip the circuit breaker on or off for the two converter/charger units. probably not a good idea to have bnoth running at same time.
Hope this helps... Another brand everyone likes is the IOTA model converter/charger.
Thanks for the model number of your PowerSource model. I havent heard of that model before and like you cant find any info on it online. I bet it is a single mode unit and only puts out a steady 13.6VDC when turned on.
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Kalusniak
Illinois
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Thanks, Roy!
I have plenty of room to replace the current unit with the PD9645C I just ordered. But...you got me thinking with "120VAC 3 Wire Connection". The old unit just plugged into a standard outlet that was mounted down by the power area. And I think the new one comes with a standard plug as well. The outlet is already there!
Next step...getting to the darn thing 
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MSGMadhatter
Oklahoma
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I had a similar problem with my Class C 2003 Jayco Greyhawk.
1/2 THE RV lights would work. But not the TV, lights on the other side.
All it was was a breaker switch on my convertor, located under the Frig.
GOOD LUCK
MSG MADHATTER (Life Member Good Sam)
1500 HD Silverado, 6L
Jayco Eagle Super Light 298RLDS (Hers)
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RoyB
King George, VA
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That will work ok... Just plug in the power plug. It should be a three prong plug tho... Bet it is... That is the way my PD9260C unit was. I just plugged it into the 120VAC receptacle near the cabinet I mounted it in close to the battery bank.
You said PD9645C Ill have to look that one up... ANother new model number for me... Maybe you mistyped...
Me getting too old to keep up with all these new numbers hehe...
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dmax_83
SE WIsconsin
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Kalusniak wrote:The converter that is in it is a PowerSource Model PC45 (45 amp) Made by Todd Engineering Sales in Elkhart, IN. But I cannot find any information on it.
Further updates to this mystery....Yesterday I went out to the trailer and put a trickle charger on it. The battery is taking charge. I ran it for 4 hours, diconneced, and tried the lights. They work. So, it seems to me the batteries were dead and the converter is not working.
I cannot find much info on the PC45.....they are out of business. So, I suppose I could take it out and check for a fuse, but that will take some work. it's back in there and I'll have to remove the circut box and a few boards.
If anyone had a recommendation on a converter/charger, that would be helpful.
I still wonder....why should I need batteries at all if I'm plugged into shore power? Or is that because the converter is shot?
Sorry for all of the questions, I'm a newbie. Trying to get this thing ready to take my kids camping next weekend.
Thank you all for the help!!!!
I had the same junk converter installed from the factory on my Jayco. Had one replaced under warranty and when that one went bad I ordered a Progressive Dynamics to replace it. Haven't had any problems yet. Swapping them out is super easy btw.
1998 Jayco Eagle 302FK (Honda EU3000is)
2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4 Duramax/Allison
2003 Honda Aquatrax F-12X Turbo
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ewarnerusa
Helena, Montana
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Joined: 12/20/2011
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Kalusniak wrote:Thanks, Roy!
I have plenty of room to replace the current unit with the PD9645C I just ordered. But...you got me thinking with "120VAC 3 Wire Connection". The old unit just plugged into a standard outlet that was mounted down by the power area. And I think the new one comes with a standard plug as well. The outlet is already there!
Next step...getting to the darn thing
If the old converter plugged into a standard 120V outlet, did you verify that this outlet actually works? After having read through this thread, it seems like the converter doesn't work and the 12V system only works after the batteries have been charged from another source (vehicle alternator while traveling or having a different charger hooked up to the batteries). The converter is either shot, doesn't get 120V power when the trailer is plugged into shore power, has blown fuses, or isn't hooked up properly on the 12V side. Even with dead batteries, the converter should operate all the 12V systems when plugged into shore power, right? And that doesn't seem to be happening.
Also, if the batteries have been hammered by never being adequately charged, they are probably toast or on their last legs.
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Kalusniak
Illinois
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Yes, I mis-typed. PD9245C
eawarnerusa - You know....I never checked that darn outlet! I will give it a go this afternoon. And I agree on the batteries...trickle charging them the next 36 hours or so and give it a shot.
Anyway I look at it, I'm glad to get the new, smart-mode unit in place.
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