PD4045, converter off, DC side dead? back feed from battery?

[gregert12]

Hey all,


I have a cargo trailer conversion and am trying to figure out how to get some of the electric finished...


I understand that the PD4045 converts AC to DC with the battery trickle charger and is also a sub panel for the AC and DC electric lines. When the system is on (shore feed/genset is on) the AC will go into the converter to power the AC breakers and the DC side's little fuses. When the system is not getting shore feed, I know the AC side is dead but is also the DC side? I was thinking that I would take the 2 DC lights that are currently on the main truck/trailers 7 prong wiring and changing it to the converter but if that side is power less, then I will either 1- need to install 2 sets of lights or 2- find a way to hot wire the DC side of the panel with the battery setup so there is always DC power.

If the converter is totally dead on the DC side, how do you power the DC feeds that are going into the converter's fuse and off the battery at the same time when there is no shore feed? Extra set of pigtails, wired inline with kill switches?


Thought?


Thanks,

Greg

[bobhenry]

Here is a great place to start.....

http://www.progressivedyn.com/pdfs/110145%20English%20Only.pdf

[gregert12]

Thanks, I have a copy of that and does not answer if the DC side of the converter is always hot without the line in/genset being "turned on." There are quite a few uses with this model so anyone out know?


Thanks,


Greg

[Moon]

The PD 4045 manual is somewhat confusing.

The power on the DC Side flows like this when you are not plugged into shore power:

Battery >> (Optional) DC Cutoff Switch >> DC Fuses >> 12v Devices

If you have a charged battery, (optional) DC Cutoff switch turned on, and a good fuse then you will have power to your 12v devices.


When plugged into shore power the AC side looks like this:

Shore power >> Master Breaker >> Other Breakers and Converter (converter charges battery)

And the AC/DC flow looks like this:

Shore power >> Master Breaker >> Converter >> (Optional) Battery >> (Optional) DC Cutoff Switch >> DC Fuses >> 12v Devices

I hope someone else comments just to verify that what I wrote won't let the magic smoke out of your converter and there are, of course, other ways to wire it up but this should describe a basic setup.

3/27/13 Edited to show that the battery is optional when connected to shore power.

[Shadow Catcher]

We have the PD 4045 and indeed the converter will power the DC side when on shore power but you need a battery to power it when not on shore power. This can be the tow battery which would have a short life (because it is not deep cycle) or a deep cycle battery.

[gregert12]

thanks!


time to order one.