Whoever coined the expression “An RV without electricity is a log cabin on wheels” was absolutely correct. Whether you are living the RV life moving with the seasons or you love to have your own accommodations for every vacation, you need the ability to operate your appliances regardless of where you are. That means powering your life when you are staying at an RV park with utility connections or off the grid at the beach or in the mountains.
To keep the lights on and your oven/stove/water heater running, you need a power converter. Most RVs have one preinstalled, but you may find that your stock converter doesn’t meet your needs. I’ve assembled the following reviews to help you make the best-informed choice whether you are upgrading or replacing your existing RV power converter. Check out what I’ve got for you:
COMPARISON CHART
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1. Powermax PM 3-55LK 110 Volt to 12 Volt DC Power Supply Converter
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2. Progressive Dynamics PD9260CV
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3. WFCO WF-9855 WF-9800 Series
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4. Arterra WF-8955 MBA Main Board Assembly
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5. Go Power! GPC-55-MAX 55 Amp 4-Stage Converter
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OUR TOP 5 PICKS
#1 Powermax PM 3-55LK 110 Volt to 12 Volt DC Power Supply Converter
Specifications
Input | 120 VAC, 60hz |
Output Current | 55 ADC |
Output Voltage | 13-16.5 VDC |
Dimensions | 9.5” x 7.8” x 3.5” (241 mm x 198 mm x 89 mm) |
Weight | 7.0 lbs |
Features
High-end, three-stage charging capable converter that provides clean, stable charging power for battery banks in any environmental conditions.
Powermax is your best bet if you are looking to install one or more power converters in your RV, and then never think about them again. The PM3-55LK is rock-solid, reliable, air-cooled via an internal cooling fan, and can be stacked in series or parallel to best suit your RV's power needs.
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
The best characteristic of the PM3-55LK is its versatility. Thanks to the three-stage charging system, it can safely recharge and condition any type of RV battery bank. The internal cooling via variable speed fan also allows it to function optimally regardless of how hot or cold it is outside. Best of all, this converter has multiple electrical fail-safes to protect you and your RV in the unlikely event that there is a malfunction such as a current spike, voltage surge or overheating.
#2 Progressive Dynamics PD9260CV
Specifications
Input | 105-130 VAC, 1,000 Watts |
Output | 13.6 VDC, 60 Amps |
Dimensions | 9.15” x 7.38” x 3.6” |
Weight | 5.8 lbs. |
Features
This converter from Progressive Dynamic comes with some handy little extras that make it more convenient to use and install. Additionally, it also offers the best cost to value ration. The convenience features do have their drawbacks, but on the whole the PD9260C was a strong contender for the top spot on our list.
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
Right out of the box, the first thing I noticed was that this converter has a 12-volt DC accessory port like the 12-volt ports found in the cab of any car, pickup or SUV. If you need to run an accessory like a low-wattage AC inverter off your converter’s power supply, the accessory port makes it much easier than wiring your inverter or other accessory into the DC power grid.
Additionally, there is a port for an accessory pendant to manually control the voltage and turn the unit on and off. It’s significantly easier than having to open your electrical panel every time you need to make a voltage adjustment or shut the converter off when you don’t need it.
Finally, the safety features on this converter are top-notch. No matter what type of electrical problem crops up, you can rest easy in the knowledge that your converter will shut down safely without causing a fire hazard.
Video
#3 WFCO WF-9855 WF-9800 Series
Specifications
Input Voltage/Hz | 105-130 VAC, 60 Hz |
Output Current | 55A |
Output Voltage | 13.2 – 14.4V DC Range |
Absorption Mode (Nominal Voltage) | 13.6V DC NV |
Bulk Mode (Quick Charging Voltage) | 14.4V DC QCV, 13.2V DC (trickle charge voltage) |
Dimensions | 5.9˝ wide; 3.9˝ high; 8.6˝ deep |
Weight | 5.50 lbs |
Features
For RV owners that need to replace a converter while on the road, the WFCO WF-9855 is the ideal solution. It’s a longtime favorite among veteran RVers, and it has a long history of excellent reliability and longevity with minimal malfunction.
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
The best feature by far for this converter is the open top and insulated connectors. Installation or replacement takes literal seconds. All you need to do is remove your old converter, drop the WFCO WF-9855 in its place, and plug in your quick connectors.
The second best feature is the three-stage charger, which allows for float, absorption and bulk charging of coach-based battery banks. It also provides stable DC power for all your onboard appliances when you are operating off the grid without the need for filtering, so it’s an all around standout performer.
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#4 Arterra WF-8955 MBA Main Board Assembly
Specifications
Input Voltage/Hz | 105-130 VAC, 60 Hz |
Output Current | 55 A |
Output Voltage | 13.2 – 14.4V DC |
Absorption Mode (Nominal Voltage) | 13.6V DC (nominal voltage) |
Bulk Mode (Quick Charging Voltage) | 14.4V DC (quick charging voltage) |
Dimensions | 12 3/16″ x 10 7/8″ x 7 1/4″ |
Weight | 7 lbs |
Features
Budget friendly three-stage converter for full-time RV owners.
An all-in-one budget solution for RV owners who want a squared-away DC power panel, the Arterra WF-8955 is a great modulare solution that can be expanded or reduced as your RV needs change with time. It will require wall-panel mounting, so I would only recommend purchasing this model if you are very confident in your DIY abilities for modifying your RV.
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
The benefits of having all of your power controls and converters in one place and neatly wired/connected cannot be overstated. Once you have overcome the challenge of installing this wall panel board in your RV, you are pretty much set for life. You can even exchange just the converter or converters as needed.
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#5 Go Power! GPC-55-MAX 55 Amp 4-Stage Converter
Specifications
DC Output Voltage (No Load) | 14.4V (DC) |
Output Voltage Tolerance (No Load) | +/- 0.7% |
Output Amperage (Max Continuous) | 75 amps |
Output Voltage (Full Load) Approx | 13.4V (DC) |
Input Voltage Range | 105-135AC |
Dimensions | 12”x9”x5” |
Weight | 7 lbs |
Features
A budget friendly, stand-alone power converter that offers four-stage charging.
I’d recommend the GoPower GPC-55-MAX converter as a stop-gap or backup option. For the record, I do not recommend it for anyone who lives in their RV and depends on DC power frequently. Let me tell you why.
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
The four-stage charger is a great option to have, especially if you have solar panels mounted to the roof of your RV to charge your battery banks during the day. It can handle all the current and voltage you can throw at it easily, and on the whole it is a reliable power converter. It also has excellent safety features and a good reputation for reliability even under a full load.
Buyer’s Guide
What size of RV converter do I need?
It all depends on the total wattage draw of the appliances in your RV. The general rule is to have sufficient power converter or converters installed to handle ten to twenty percent more wattage than all the devices in your RV will need. For example, a 1400 watt draw should have a converter or set of converters that can handle 1600 watts.
How does an RV converter work?
In simplest terms, the converter in your RV takes 110-volt alternating current (AC) electrical power from RV hookups and converts it to direct current (DC) power so it can be used by the appliances and accessories of your RV’s mobile electrical system.
Converters use a common electrical component called a step-down transformer, which is a bulky coil of wire that increases resistance and drops the voltage and current down to a usable level for DC-powered electronics and appliances. The resistance used to convert the voltage generates a lot of heat, so converters need a cooling system to prevent overheating that would melt the transformer or start an electrical fire if left unchecked.
How to tell if an RV converter is bad?
The first signs that your converter is failing will be flickering interior lights or dimming of lights on the RV’s dashboard displays. You may also notice that the cooling fan no longer functions or has reduced functionality.
Additionally, the LEDs or indicator lights on the converter itself may no longer illuminate or they will dim/fluctuate as well. If you observe any of these abnormalities, take your RV to a shop or check the output with a multimeter to make sure it is still providing sufficient output.
How to replace an RV power converter?
There is a step-by-step process to replace a converter that involves disconnecting the wiring, extracting the old converter, installing the new one and wiring it back up with the existing connectors.
It’s a fairly easy procedure if you don’t need to do any panel installation or you are replacing the converter with a similar sized model. Upgrading may require a little arithmetic and creative fitting, but it shouldn’t be significantly more difficult since converters and their mountings are
How do you know if your RV converter is working?
The easiest way to tell if your converter is working is to see if your DC accessories and appliances power on without the lights dimming or the electricity shutting off altogether. You will also see illuminated indicator lights on the device itself if it is functioning within its normal range. Last but not least, if you can hear the cooling fan spinning up, that usually means your converter is working because it’s generating heat that is triggering the cooling system.
CONCLUSION
After doing my research and parsing reviews and user feedback, my first choice recommendation is the Powermax PM 3-55LK 110 Volt to 12 Volt DC Power Supply Converter. It has more than enough wattage to handle the needs of the average RV off the grid, and it can safely charge just about any type of battery bank while connected to AC power.
Best of all, it operates with optimal safety features and keeps stable DC power flowing to your RV electrical system no matter when you need it. If you need to replace a converter and want to get an upgrade, definitely consider a Powermax PM 3-55LK 110 Volt to 12 Volt DC Power Supply Converter. You just can't beat the performance for the price.