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Technical Questions from a Newbie

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bobojay

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Technical Questions from a Newbie
« on: August 31, 2014, 01:31:57 pm »
Since we're not as yet owners, and I'm one to absorb all the info I can find out beforehand, I'd like to know a couple things.
What is the model number of the following equipment currently being installed at the factory:
The roof air, either the 13.5 or the 15 (Dometic). The 15 is an upgrade
The converter/charger (Xantrex) I know the inverter is a Xantrex 1800
The coach water pump (Shur-Flo), I believe it's one of their Revolution series

I see on the 2015's PC has finally went to the King Controls tv antenna from the old school Wineguard crank up. Only issue I've heard about the King Controls unit is that they break off easily if hit by something. We have the KC on our current RV and they work slick.

Thanks guys for any info.....
Bob & Sharon
Current: 2013 Winnebago ERA Class B Sprinter Van
Future: 2100 special, 2350, ?? on a hopefully Ford Transit 350 or 450

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AMW

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Re: Technical Questions from a Newbie
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2014, 06:05:42 pm »
Only the factory will be able to tell you the models that will be installed in a particular unit when the build sheet is signed, but I can tell you what is in my unit which is a 2015 and built in July.  

A/C: 13500 BTU, Dometic model 641935CXX1C0, mfg 641935C751C0, prod# 936000724.  So far I'm pleased with it's capabilities in the heat.  It is loud, but I knew it would be, having experience with this before.  I don't love the new style distribution panel, but the only thing I'd like better is probably ducted air, which is not available.

Converter/charger: Parallax, Series 5300.  The inverter is Xantrex Pro XM1800.

Water pump: Shurflo 4008 RV Revolution.

My antenna is King Controls, but this is an upgrade that I asked for.  The stock antenna was the crank-up, which I didn't want.  They would not guarantee reception, as they had not tested a King Control antenna, but I was willing to take my chances and I'm happy with it.
« Last Edit: August 31, 2014, 10:13:06 pm by AMW »
Ann W.

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bobojay

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Re: Technical Questions from a Newbie
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2014, 09:44:51 pm »
Thanks Ann for the info. I knew you could specify some of the equipment if you wanted to up or downgrade.
We currently have the KC antenna, and like I said, it works great on our all metal class B van. Just be careful and don't hit anything with it as we've heard from a very few Winnebago owners that they break off easily.
The converter was my biggest area of interest as it really needs to be a multistage in this day & age.

Again, you have a beautiful new unit there!
Bob & Sharon
Current: 2013 Winnebago ERA Class B Sprinter Van
Future: 2100 special, 2350, ?? on a hopefully Ford Transit 350 or 450

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AMW

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Re: Technical Questions from a Newbie
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2014, 10:42:32 pm »
Bob, I'm hoping I will not hit the antenna on anything, but since it is not higher than the AC unit, I expect I can stay out of trouble.  I wasn't concerned whether or not the KC antenna would give equal reception to the traditional crank-up antenna because I use the TV very little anyway. 

The stock converter/charger and Inverter setup is probably not optimal, but for a 30amp unit with only one AC I expect it to be adequate.  My needs are simple and I almost always have electrical hookup, so my inverter is rarely needed.  I was concerned about having enough inverter/battery capacity to run the refrigerator while driving (I don't like to run propane while driving), but we solved that by installing a 3-way refrigerator which runs on DC power without need of the inverter at all.
Ann W.

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bobojay

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Re: Technical Questions from a Newbie
« Reply #4 on: September 01, 2014, 01:28:48 pm »
Concerned about the converter/charger because some smaller RV companies, and even Winnebago in their class C & B units until 2014, installed singles stage charging units. These basically would cook your coach batteries with a constant 13.7 or above charge voltage all the time. Not good for any wet cell, lead acid battery, AGM's included.
The Xantrex PC is using is a multistage, which starts with a higher boost mode, 14+ volts, then quickly tapers down to a 13.2 volt rate which is perfect for the long term life of the AGM coach batteries, or any lead acid wet cell for that matter.

No worries  2o2
Bob & Sharon
Current: 2013 Winnebago ERA Class B Sprinter Van
Future: 2100 special, 2350, ?? on a hopefully Ford Transit 350 or 450

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bobojay

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Re: Technical Questions from a Newbie
« Reply #5 on: September 01, 2014, 03:18:54 pm »
Ann, another thing I just noticed on your unit which is a great design I think, is that PC on the non-slideout models, puts the top refrigerator vent on the roof. This allows WAY more air flow up through the rear refrigerator cavity than a normal side wall mount vent that is installed on the slide out models.
Ammonia absorption refrigerators thrive on a lot of air flow up through that rear cavity to make them more efficient....super setup!
Bob & Sharon
Current: 2013 Winnebago ERA Class B Sprinter Van
Future: 2100 special, 2350, ?? on a hopefully Ford Transit 350 or 450

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AMW

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Re: Technical Questions from a Newbie
« Reply #6 on: September 01, 2014, 04:18:24 pm »
Bob, I do not have an all-in-one (converter/charger/inverter) unit.  At the time my 2100 was built, PC did not offer and would not upgrade to an all-in-one unit  My converter/charger (Parallax 5300) is a combined with the AC/DC distribution panel.  I can't tell from the literature supplied if it is one or two stage, and I couldn't find any additional details online.  My inverter is a separate Xantrex unit, the XM1800, and there is more info for this on the xantrex site.
Ann W.

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bobojay

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Re: Technical Questions from a Newbie
« Reply #7 on: September 01, 2014, 04:49:28 pm »
Yes I know you don't have the all in one. I wouldn't want one either. Too expensive to replace if problem.
I tried to find the 5300 info and couldn't. 5400 yes. Could it possibly be a made for PC exclusive converter/charger? Interesting....
Bob & Sharon
Current: 2013 Winnebago ERA Class B Sprinter Van
Future: 2100 special, 2350, ?? on a hopefully Ford Transit 350 or 450

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AMW

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  • Location: Gainesville, FL
Re: Technical Questions from a Newbie
« Reply #8 on: September 01, 2014, 05:24:39 pm »
Maybe the Parallax 5300 is specially made for Phoenix, I don't know.  I did have a xantrex all-in-one converter/charger/inverter with load management in my class-A and never had a moment of trouble from it...but it would be overkill for my needs now.  With the refrigerator able to run directly on DC, I barely need an inverter at all...but at some point I expect I will be glad I put one in.

Photos of the 4-page booklet that came with the 5300 are below.  Much of it I don't really understand, but if the photos are readable, maybe it will make sense to you.


Ann W.

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bobojay

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Re: Technical Questions from a Newbie
« Reply #9 on: September 01, 2014, 05:58:47 pm »
Thanks for taking the pics. I understand what it says. Now the question is whether or not PC uses the optional TempAssure package. That's the multistage charging I was talking about....
Bob & Sharon
Current: 2013 Winnebago ERA Class B Sprinter Van
Future: 2100 special, 2350, ?? on a hopefully Ford Transit 350 or 450

*

AMW

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  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: July/2014
  • Model: 2100
  • ModelYear: 2015
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Toast
  • ExtColor: Sterling
  • Location: Gainesville, FL
Re: Technical Questions from a Newbie
« Reply #10 on: September 01, 2014, 07:19:33 pm »
Bob, the TempAssure flyer was also in my packet.  I'm not sure exactly how to tell if I have it, but according to the flyer, TempAssure is standard with 5300 series.  I looked at the batteries and do not see a communication cord or temp probe stuck to a battery that I would expect to see.  However, I can't see the back or underside of the batteries, so maybe it's there.
« Last Edit: September 01, 2014, 08:23:53 pm by AMW »
Ann W.

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bobojay

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Re: Technical Questions from a Newbie
« Reply #11 on: September 01, 2014, 08:00:10 pm »
I would say if you have the brochure in your packet, it has it.

Thanks again for the help and info. Hopefully some others that don't know these facts can find help from our thread....I've learned a bunch from the posts here on the forum
Bob & Sharon
Current: 2013 Winnebago ERA Class B Sprinter Van
Future: 2100 special, 2350, ?? on a hopefully Ford Transit 350 or 450