Converter Upgrad: Progressive Dynamics PD4655 kit or PD9260?

[Mgittrich]

Has anyone actually installed a PD4655 converter upgrade kit in the B190?

Everywhere I look I see numerous posts about upgrading to the PD9260 and very few about using the PD4655 conversion kit. I exchanged a couple of emails with Randy at BestConverter.com about installing the PD9260 and each time he steers me to the PD4655 kit saying it is the newest technology and easier to upgrade. But when I look at the kit a few yellow flags get raised for me. Like, if its the newest technology why isn't the Charge Wizard pendant compatible with the PD4655 kit. The pendant is available but you have to adapt the connector on the pendant to fit. To me, this screams old technology ( PD4655 kit) where as the PD9260 and the pendant integrate without modification.

My inclination is to go with the PD9260. The installation doesn't look that bad, Skater thanks for the excellent post on this procedure. But before I committed I thought I'd reach out to the group and get some opinions on the topic.

I appreciate all feedback. Thanks for the help in advance.

Mike Gittrich

[skater]

Looks like it's meant to fit where the original converter fits. The 9260 does as well (I did this), and Randy confirmed the 9245 would also (I didn't try it). The wiring looks like it's a more direct replacement. Amazon says the 4655 was first available in 2009, and I KNOW the 9260 was available before that (I had one in 2006 or 2007), so I'm reasonably confident the 4655 is a newer model.

Honestly, I think Randy wouldn't steer you wrong - he's well-known for giving advice on the AIR forums. I'd also say that the pendant isn't really necessary - I had one on the 9260 in the B190, and I have one on the one in the trailer, but honestly, the last time I looked at it was right after I installed it. Now, almost two years later, I almost forgot it was down there (in the trailer, it's installed under the couch, so you have to work to look at it). It's nice to know what mode the converter is in, but not necessary.

I used the 60 amp converter, but it was overkill for the B190. Even the 55 amp is probably far more than you really need, but that might be another reason to go with the 4655, especially if it's cheaper. I think the original converter is 32 amps or something like that, for comparison.

[Mgittrich]

Skater, thanks for the reply. Every post I've seen in this forum and others point to the quality of BestConverters.com and Randy in particular. I tend to get a little sideways when the only answer I get back is go with the PD4655 and my questions regarding the PD9260 are essentially ignored. I'm sure this is a flawed personality trait the nuns tried to correct but were unsuccessful at doing. . So I appreciate the research you did to help me get through this.

Mike

[skater]

I tend to get a little sideways when the only answer I get back is go with the PD4655 and my questions regarding the PD9260 are essentially ignored.

Oh, that's interesting - I haven't heard of him doing that. My guess is that you wouldn't go wrong with either one!

[Keystone]

Just to add to the discussion--I installed the PD4635V in my 1994 B190, a "35A replacement/Upgrade converter section with Charge Wizard" back in 2012 (purchased 9/11 from Best RV and Truck Supply for about $200). I think it was a new model at the time--and mine was "fresh", with a production date just prior to the ship date. At 35A, it is as close in rating to our original 32A Magnetek unit as I could find. Physically, it fit perfectly, and it has the 3-stage charging that today's AGM batteries thrive on. I did not buy a charge pendant, but I can see at a glance by the unit's l.e.d. the fast or slow blinking that indicates the charge rate. More often, I check on the charge voltage using a voltmeter in the DC plug receptacle above the microwave, if I'm curious about that. My PD4635V has worked perfectly so far. I never talked with anyone named Randy, though. Good luck with your decision.

[Mgittrich]

Keystone thanks for the reply. I appreciate the info.

After all the good feedback here I continued my research and exchanged a couple of emails with Progresseive Dynamics and I think I have the definitive answer.

Both the pd9260 and the pd4655 use the same charging technology.

Once I confirmed that I still wanted a little bit of clarity around the different PD product lines so i asked PD to confirm the following which they did.

The pd9260 with status pendent is equivalent to the pd9160 with the charge wizard.

Please note, the pendant and charge wizards while similar in appearance are not the same.

The pd9260 has the charge wizard functionality built in and the pendant simply provides a way to verify and manually change the charging mode.

The pd9160 does NOT have charge wizard functionality built in. However the optional charge wizard remote provides this functionality thus making the pd9160 with charge wizard equivalent to the pd9260 with pendant.

The pd4655 provides charge wizard functionality via the fuse board included in the kit. The charge wizard status can be determined or changed via a button on the fuse board or via the same remote pendant used in the pd9260. The fuse board pendant connection on the pd4655 is different then the pendant connection on the pd9260 and requires customer modification to be installed.

The difference between the pd4655 with modified pendant, the pd9160 with charge wizard and the pd9260 with pendant is the pd4655 kit provides a replacement fuse board not included with the pd9160 or the pd9260. The pd4655 also apparently contains an additional cooling fan due to the housing it is being placed in. I would note here that there are many examples of using the pd9260 in the magnetek housing and I could not find any indication that this resulted in any thermal problems.

To sum it all up the configurations below are essentially equivalent ignoring the slight difference in amps delivered between the pd4655/pd9160/pd9260, ease of installation and the additional cooling fan in the pd4655.

PD4655kit + remote pendant(customer modified)
PD9160 + charge wizard remote
PD9260 + remote pendant

I hope this helps any of you who might be looking at doing this upgrade. I think based on this information the right choice for me is the pd4655 kit. I'm all over ease of installation.

Mike Gittrich