Adding solar Need a New AC converter

Melvin Bell

Senior Member
RV LIFE Pro
Joined
Nov 23, 2010
Messages
332
I'm adding 200 watts of solar to my 2007 Starcract Pine Mountain Roadstar PU Comper. The present LA Battery and the ELX-25 Converter are toast. Need a converter to replace the ELX-25 converter. I need one that is not auto sensing or has a switch for constant voltage. I have a Lifepo4 Lithium battery. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
TIA Mel
 
Would love to help, but am not sure what you are asking for. Your subject line mentions an AC converter, and Google tells me the EXL-25 you mention was such. You also mention wanting to add solar (which requires a different controller, an MPPT such as a Victron 75/15 or larger) and the desire for not auto-sensing is confusing. Auto sensing of what? Incoming AC voltage? DC voltage in the camper?
 
Sorry for the confusion Here is what I need. I need to replace the ELX-25 converter as it is shot. I am adding 200 watts of solar with a lifepo4 lithium battery. I don't want a converter with auto battery sensing because with solar it causes problems unless there is a switch for solar and most will only charge the battery to 80 percent. The PD4135 has such a switch for Lithium but it is smaller in size for the hole. the WF8735 does not have a switch and is auto battery sensing. I'm looking for a converter that will replace the elx-25 and support lithium batteries that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. A drop in replacement would be best even if I had to make a bigger hole in the panel for it. Any suggestions?
 
Seems that ELX unit has a bad reputation. Anyway, a search turned up folks suggesting that the PD4135 is a "same size" replacement.

It does not have a setting for LiFePo4 though, but... it does have a lot of functionality. Do you need the AC breakers?

You don't need to be concerned about the size of the "hole" if you have another location for the ACDC converter, and could cover the hole with a piece of nice wood or plastic, maybe with a display in it for your SOC battery monitor (Victron BMV 712 recommended).
 
I ordered the PD4135 and a couple of 110 circuit breakers. It has space for 5. also has 5 dc fuse circuits. Labled all wires and got a Ground bus bar for all of the Neg Leads instead of of using wire connectors. Should be a piece of cake to install.
 

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