2004 Brave inverter

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wb6kwt

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 27, 2012
Posts
91
Location
Tracy, Ca.
I just discovered my coach batteries are being overcharged. I was trying to start the generator and couldn't get it started so checked the batteries, they were reading 15.7V. I removed the AC cord and watched as the voltage slowly went down. I've left the AC disconnected for the time being and looking for the inverter. I found it under the reefer but can't get to it from the AC breaker box area. I'm thinking I can remove the charger that holds the handheld radios. I don't have a clue what inverter is installed in this rig so can't provide that information because I can't get a good view of it. I'll remove the handheld charger and see what I can learn. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Bob
 
You are actually looking at the Converter which converts 120VAC to 12VDC for coach use and battery charging. An inverter changes 12VDC power to 120 VAC for use by household type appliances. My converter was under the drawer under the cooktop (don't have an oven).  That is where the Winnebago manual shows it also.
Since yours is a 2004 Brave similar to mine it is most likely a Magnetek which provides good 12 VDC filtered power normally but is not a great battery charger. I just replaced mine with a Progressive Dynamics PD9245 bought on Amazon.com for $150.00 seen here. It provides a three stage battery charger with float charge. I replaced mine after having my batteries boil dry.
Fairly easy to replace, four screws into the floor holding it in place and the screwdown wiring connections. (You have to lay down and reach into space holding converter).
Good luck
Bob
 
Bob,

I think you might be talking about the converter, not an inverter.  My 2004 Brave 32V had a 2 stage Magnetek converter which was located under the stove.  I replaced my Magnetek with a 3 stage Progressive Dynamics PD9245 with the Charge Wizard.  It was a pretty easy job and my batteries don't overcharge any more.
 
Thanks for the correction, I should have realized I was using the wrong term because I have a couple small inverters also.
The converter is under the refrigerator for sure, just need to figure out how to get to it.

Bob
 
On my Brave, the AC breaker panel is easy to remove and there is plenty of slack to pull it out into the hall. I had to do that to replace the check valve on my water heater. My converter though is under the stove.
 
If you don't have it already, the manual for the 2004 Brave is located here. It provides layouts, locations, parts listings for the coach.
Bob
 
Thanks for all the suggestions, it really helps. I just ordered a Progressive Dynamics PD9245CV, from Amazon, it should be here in California in about ~7-10 days.

Bob
 
Received my new Progressive Dynamics PD9245CV yesterday afternoon and got it installed this morning and it's working great. Thanks for all the tips and suggestions.

Bob
 
No, sorry I didn't really, just took one with my phone so I got the wires back in the proper place. I did have a small issue, I pulled the positive wire out of the old converter and it sprang back and touch the converter case and I heard a pop like a breaker popped. I couldn't find find a breaker that needed to be reset so call the Winnie help line. Tommy thought I may have damaged the change over relay and may need a new one. I never knew where the breakers were located although I had looked in the battery box and didn't see anything. Finally discovered the breakers behind the vertical carpet strip, under the step. There it was, a tripped 55A breaker, reset it and all back to normal. There are several breakers there so it was a good learning experience overall.

I removed the handheld radio charging unit to access the converter and both the old and new one were easy to access.

Bob 
 
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