Magnatek 7345 Charger/ Converter

[SeaKing1]

Pictured is a Magnatek #7345 Converter/Charger in my BF 2000 24 RSB (24 years young)
While troubleshooting an outside courtesy light, I had to replace a fuse that was blown on the bathroom/ hot water heater systems. I unplugged shore power and turned the big knob to “off” (driver’s side below seat) to do this.
I noticed that at that point, I could flip A/C breaker’s to turn off A/C, BUT…there’s no way to turn off the 12 volt systems (8 circuits)…
In other words, all of my 12v circuits were working except for the blown fuse circuit.

You must be very careful working around this device…

My three questions are:

1. Is there a way to add an on/off switch for 12 v circuits?

2. Should I be looking at newer replacement power converter chargers that won’t overcharge the house batteries and hurt them?

3. What have others done regarding this issue?

[whemme]

Actually you have a Magnatec 7345 Charger/Converter - not a 6345 - look at your label again.

In the Coach Modifications section on this forum, read my post titled Converting Parallax 7345 Charger/Converter to PD4655V system.

Why do you want to shut off all 8 DC circuits from the output of your charger/converter? With the coach battery master switch shut off and being unplugged from shoreline power, all power to your 8 DC fused circuits will be off.

[SeaKing1]

Bill, thank you for catching that error, I had the wrong number in my notes.
My understanding is the older unit manages the A/C circuits as well as charging the batteries that are on the 12 V side. I’m trying to understand our system and not “boil” my batteries as others have mentioned on forums. Since we’ve new owners of a 24 year old rig, we will be camping in Rv parks using shore power for A/C at first. Does turning off the big knob turn off all the circuits? I didn’t know that. I’ve read through the owners manual twice now and maybe I need to make sure shore power is off when working on 12 V system as well as the big knob off too.
I have read your posting on converting to the newer system however the parts now cost $300 and maybe next year we will be looking at that conversion but I want to make sure there isn’t something else out there that might better suit our needs.

[whemme]

Shutting off that big knob disconnects your coach batteries or single battery from all DC circuits in your rig. You present 7345 charger/converter will over charge your batteries and damage them if you leave your rig plugged into shoreline power for extended periods of time. To prevent the over charge you need to shut off that big knob. The advantage of installing the PD4655V charger/converter is that it has 3 automatically selected charging modes and will never over charge your batteries with the big knob turned on.

I just checked the price for a PD4655V at bestconverter.com and it is $289.

[perleys]

William do you have any sense of how many hours it would take a service tech to install the Parallax 7345 Charger/Converter? I have thought about it but will have labor in addition to cost of the unit.

[whemme]

You already have a 7345 charger/converter so you certainly don’t need to replace your existing working 7345 with a new one. A Parallax 7345 is the same as a Magnatec 7345. It should take an experienced RV tech an hour to install a replacement PD4655V. In fact the job is simple enough for you to do the job yourself.

[perleys]

You have more confidence in me than I do! Yes I was wanting to explore the option of the replacement PD4655V so that the batteries won't be overcharged. It is good to know that the install time won't be too long!

[SeaKing1]

I just ordered mine today, so will update after the installation. The reviews on eTrailer with pictures and comments allowed me to decide and purchase this needed upgrade.
Thanks again to whemme (above) for original posting and advice.