So as the title suggests, I got a travel trailer (2007 Starcraft Antigua 23ft) with what I assume was the stock Elixir ELX-45 converter/power delivery panel. Now, I am familiar with simple home 120v and simple vehicle 12v wiring, but completely new to power converters and how they work outside of the fact that when plugged into shore power, it is supposed to also charge my battery for the 12v circuits.
The converter seems to be busted after some basic testing and fuse checking, so I removed the converter portion of this setup, leaving the AC breakers and DC fuse board intact. Everything seems to still work without the converter/charger in place, just with no battery charging capabilities (which was the case anyway, since the converter was busted). I found this out during a camping trip this past weekend when plugged into a generator. AC power worked fine, but over time, my DC stuff would stop working and the battery would be drained.
Considering this model of converter/power delivery board, I'm wondering if a full replacement (fuse board, breakers, etc.) is necessary which sounds AND looks like a PITA in my setup. If I can just replace the converter portion with an aftermarket replacement, I will just do that. What I'm wondering is if it would be worth it to convert the 12v side to solar, and on cloudy days use 120v power from shore or a generator to run a battery charger if need be. I only suggest this because I have a few panels, charge controllers, and other equipment to get a simple solar setup started with no extra cost. I'd probably just have to get a couple more 100w panels.
Does anybody have experience with this type of setup or this type of converter/power board? Without sounding like a total noob, I want to present myself (and my wife) with some viable options that won't cost upwards of 400 dollars before even considering an RV tech hourly cost since this whole purchase was my idea.![Wink ;) ;)](/talk/styles/default/xenforo/smileys/wink.gif)
Thank you all very much, as always!
The converter seems to be busted after some basic testing and fuse checking, so I removed the converter portion of this setup, leaving the AC breakers and DC fuse board intact. Everything seems to still work without the converter/charger in place, just with no battery charging capabilities (which was the case anyway, since the converter was busted). I found this out during a camping trip this past weekend when plugged into a generator. AC power worked fine, but over time, my DC stuff would stop working and the battery would be drained.
Considering this model of converter/power delivery board, I'm wondering if a full replacement (fuse board, breakers, etc.) is necessary which sounds AND looks like a PITA in my setup. If I can just replace the converter portion with an aftermarket replacement, I will just do that. What I'm wondering is if it would be worth it to convert the 12v side to solar, and on cloudy days use 120v power from shore or a generator to run a battery charger if need be. I only suggest this because I have a few panels, charge controllers, and other equipment to get a simple solar setup started with no extra cost. I'd probably just have to get a couple more 100w panels.
Does anybody have experience with this type of setup or this type of converter/power board? Without sounding like a total noob, I want to present myself (and my wife) with some viable options that won't cost upwards of 400 dollars before even considering an RV tech hourly cost since this whole purchase was my idea.
![Wink ;) ;)](/talk/styles/default/xenforo/smileys/wink.gif)
Thank you all very much, as always!