Where is the converter located in 2018 Navion?

jcurtisis · 11-29-2019, 10:39 AM

2018 Navion 24D: anyone know where the converter (NOT the inverter) is located?

**creativepart** · 11-29-2019, 12:05 PM

Have you checked the wiring diagrams? They are available online.
Go to www.winnebagoind.com
Click on Owner Resources
Click on Service
Scroll down to wiring diagrams

Choose the year and model. Bingo. There are 100% of your wiring diagrams for your coach.

I looked at yours, might be confusing. Best I can tell is it's behind your "Load Center" where all your fuses and circuit breakers are. Also, that would be a common place for it to be. Many times they are built into the panel from behind.

Winterbagoal · 11-29-2019, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcurtisis

2018 Navion 24D: anyone know where the converter (NOT the inverter) is located?

Not sure about the 24D, but mine (24V) is under the passenger side twin bed, behind the breaker/fuse panel which faces forward towards the aisle. I had to pull out the under bed storage drawer to access it (confirmed by WGO support) to install my charge wizard pendant.

They couldn't have put it in a harder place to access for me.

I'm thinking I may cut a hole in the bed, and hinge it for easier access, if I can do it without damaging the bed support or affect the Froli system. I'm not as "flexible" as I used to be.

jcurtisis · 12-03-2019, 11:04 AM

Creativepart: Yep- there it is: wiring diagram for body 12v, page 3 of 7, the converter is tucked in behind the distribution panel in the bottom of the pantry. Inaccessible. Just the same, thanks for the web link! That is a great resource!

Winterbagoal · 12-03-2019, 12:06 PM

Are you sure?
I just looked at 2018 Navion 24D Wiring - "Body, 12 Volt Wiring Installation" which opens 000045197.pdf diagram, and it looks more like it's directly under the cooktop.
You might have to pull out the lower drawer under the cooktop to get at it.

jcurtisis · 12-03-2019, 01:11 PM

Well, pretty sure. The wiring diagram labels it as “Detail DM Converter 45 Amp”; it is a 3-D view and it appears to be directly behind the distribution panel and at the same height above the floor as the distribution panel. Just the same, I’ll check where you indicated.

Winterbagoal · 12-03-2019, 02:50 PM

This is what I saw. 3rd page down, left hand diagram, there's a box with a screw marked "converter 45 amp" that looks like the PD9245 converter/charger below the cooktop.
If I'm mistaken, I apologize for the inconvenience.

https://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram/2018/000045197.pdf

jcurtisis · 12-03-2019, 03:32 PM

Ah so...yes, I see what you refer to. However, that is for the G model; I have the D model. The 24D wiring diagram is here: https://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram/2018/000033160.pdf

Winterbagoal · 12-03-2019, 03:53 PM

That's just weird then. I know I clicked the 24D model under the "Navion" models group.
OK, I went back just now, and clicked the 24D in the "Navion" section of the webpage, and it did pull up 24G specs. If I clicked the 24D under the "View" section of the models list, I got the 24D diagrams for the D.
Would you mind trying it, and let me know if I'm "losing it"?

Kayak73 · 12-03-2019, 04:32 PM

OK, to the OP, our rig is the 18V24D and I have had the joy of uncovering the PD9245 converter/charger twice now. Open the pantry door all the way, look at the bottom of the pantry. There is a screwed on cheap thin plywood panel, remove it in the two pieces and mark orientation for proper re-install. The converter is right there. Normally in these rigs, any model, you will find the converter right behind or near the distribution panel and that is exactly where this one resides. BTW, you will need to remove those pantry drawers to get to the thing, just a feature.

For grins I deemed the airflow in that compartment inadequate and cut two 4" diameter holes in each piece (of the pantry bottom), then put screen over it. Why? The first converter died in early months of ownership so I wanted the replacement to last a bit longer. I also leave the pantry door ajar about an inch when we are parked plugged in or genny running for additional air flow.

While you are messing around go ahead and spend $10 for the remote pendant from Amazon and plug it in while the converter is in view. I did and attached it on the front of the distribution panel/breaker panel.

Edit: Be sure to mark the pantry drawers for location, I call the top 1 and work down. They are NOT interchangeable although it seems that way and do trust me on this to save pain and time.

jcurtisis · 12-03-2019, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winterbagoal

That's just weird then. I know I clicked the 24D model under the "Navion" models group.
OK, I went back just now, and clicked the 24D in the "Navion" section of the webpage, and it did pull up 24G specs. If I clicked the 24D under the "View" section of the models list, I got the 24D diagrams for the D.
Would you mind trying it, and let me know if I'm "losing it"?

You are not losing it- I had the same problem. I kept getting the “G” so I just kept trying other models , going back, and then tried the link for “d” ; eventually it worked. There is something hinky about that set of web links.

jcurtisis · 12-03-2019, 07:29 PM

Kayak73: ok- great. I will check that out. How do you know if it is working or not? Also, what is a “remote pendant” and what does it do?

Kayak73 · 12-03-2019, 09:32 PM

If the converter is working you will measure 13.2 vdc at the battery or on the rear of the converter, either way. As a test you can quickly tell the voltage drop by comparing the two measurements. In Bulk mode it should be charging at 13.6 and the top off final charge is low amps at about 14.4vdc. To make sure you can either unplug the solar or cover them completely so you are not reading voltage from the solar panels. Alternatively you can measure after dark when the solar controller has turned off.

The remote pendant for the PD9245 is a small remote which allows manual override of the state of the converter charging. You can move between BOOST (their term), NORMAL (which is defined wrong by them but we live with it), and STORAGE which is maintenance mode at 13.2vdc and low amperage.

This is especially helpful when boondocked and running the genny to recharge batteries because the solar will be charging which normally forces the PD9245 into maintenance mode. You want to dump amps into those batteries with the generator running - that's my use of the pendant and it works. There is a plug on the side of the PD9245 for the connection, just plug it in.

Kayak73 · 12-04-2019, 08:05 AM

I forgot to mention that I installed two manual set circuit breakers, one on each side of the solar controller on both negative leads, input and output. This allows me to test by turning off the solar without climbing a ladder etc. It also allows a manual reset of the solar controller - something I've had to do several times. I worked with a very sharp tech at the solar panel mfg to do some troubleshooting work which lead to replacing both flexi panels with rigid panels - at his recommendation. In reality the entire solar install should be rebuilt from scratch - it is an abomination to any engineer geek head. I might be one.

Why? Flexi panels will damage your roof and it has been documented. They do not last (at least most of them, there is one exception and product which does work long term). Get those WGO installed panels off your roof as soon as you can because the longer they are there the more heat damage to the fiberglass roof.

Relocate the crazy controller location to near the batteries or pull a 4 awg wire run in both directions to lessen the voltage drop of the OEM 8 ga wire. It is not large enough for the long runs.

If you are serious about solar replace the controller with MPPT, get great quality rigid panels and put it together with some thought and correct wire gauge to support the charge. Also recommend the disconnect breakers to help in service of batteries etc.

jcurtisis · 12-05-2019, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayak73

OK, to the OP, our rig is the 18V24D and I have had the joy of uncovering the PD9245 converter/charger twice now. Open the pantry door all the way, look at the bottom of the pantry. There is a screwed on cheap thin plywood panel, remove it in the two pieces and mark orientation for proper re-install. The converter is right there. Normally in these rigs, any model, you will find the converter right behind or near the distribution panel and that is exactly where this one resides. BTW, you will need to remove those pantry drawers to get to the thing, just a feature.

For grins I deemed the airflow in that compartment inadequate and cut two 4" diameter holes in each piece (of the pantry bottom), then put screen over it. Why? The first converter died in early months of ownership so I wanted the replacement to last a bit longer. I also leave the pantry door ajar about an inch when we are parked plugged in or genny running for additional air flow.

While you are messing around go ahead and spend $10 for the remote pendant from Amazon and plug it in while the converter is in view. I did and attached it on the front of the distribution panel/breaker panel.

Edit: Be sure to mark the pantry drawers for location, I call the top 1 and work down. They are NOT interchangeable although it seems that way and do trust me on this to save pain and time.

Kayak73: those pantry drawers are not cooperating with me- the plastic latch on the pantry door side just won’t release the rail. Any suggestions?

Winterbagoal · 12-05-2019, 05:15 PM

I added a remote Charge Wizard pendant to my PD9245, and can fill my new lithiums to (FUL 100%) on the Zamp charge controller, with the touch of a button, whether plugged in or running the generator. Punches the voltage up to 14.2V for about 2 hours or whenever they reach full on the display when you're in either LiFePO4 or AGM mode on the Zamp controller. Those 2 modes provide the same levels of charge and are interchangeable for lithiums or AGMs.

Winterbagoal · 12-05-2019, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcurtisis

Kayak73: those pantry drawers are not cooperating with me- the plastic latch on the pantry door side just won’t release the rail. Any suggestions?

The drawers in my Navion have a little (plastic?) lever inside each side of the slide/track, that need to be pressed in opposite directions. As in, the left one needs to be pressed up, while the right side needs to be pressed down, if I recall. Or something like that, to relese the drawer from the slide/track.
Maybe the pantry drawers are similar slides/latching mechanisms?

Kayak73 · 12-05-2019, 08:41 PM

Yes, as noted one black lever will be up and one down, to remove depress in opposite directions. Tight clearance on those pantry drawers so just be patient and work with it. Reinstall is also a bit annoying but you must pull out the arms on both sides, line them up and push in until the levers click closed. And, finally, remember to number the things. At least mine are not interchangeable.

jcurtisis · 12-06-2019, 04:58 PM

Ok Winterbagoal & Kayak73: With your *xlnt* advice I got the drawers removed in the pantry and removed the bottom panel- and lo and behold, there is the converter right where you said it would be.
Of course nowhere does the progressive dynamics 9200 product download / info does it say where the pendant connection point is LOCATED- but there are only 6 possible sides on a cube (love it when the probabilities are finite like that) and it was on the left side as ya look at it. Hard to see but I used the iPhone camera and snuck it alongside and was able to get a decent picture after several attempts.
It is interesting that there is no visible heat ventilation for that puppy with the bottom of the pantry cover in place, so I too will punch some holes in that bottom cover and put some window screen material over them. (Pictures all seem to post sideways ....????)

Winterbagoal · 12-06-2019, 07:01 PM

I thought there was a diagram of the location of the pendant outlet. Might have been called the "accessory outlet"? Anyways I had to plug my pendant in by feel. It's like a telephone line plug and jack. It was dicey but I got it after a few minutes. My biggest fear was breaking it while trying to plug it in. It's an awesome little toy and let's you decide how much charging current hits your batteries. And when.