IOTA Engineering 45-Amp Power Converter and Battery Charger for RVs, Boats, and Off-Grid Power Systems

Update 1-21-22: I upgraded to the 55A model and moved the 45A to a different location. Both are still going strong. I use it almost daily with a Honda Eu2000 generator during winter months. I have not tried it with anything other than the Eu2000. At full bore this 55A charger would need 825watts at 110v but adding in it’s inefficiencies (which are unavoidable) you’d probably need a 1200watt generator minimum to drive it. The 45A charger would need 675 watts plus inefficiencies so a 1kw generator might work. I want a backup generator and since the Honda’s are unavailable now I may go for a HarborFrieght clone but I think the 1kw model will be too small for the 55A charger.Update after 1 wkI’ve used it only twice so far to recharge after longish overcast conditions - exactly what I bought it for.I use it with their IQ-Equalizer module and this is just about perfect for my four gc2 deep cycle batteries. The 55amp charger would also work fine but isn’t needed.After discharging 50-60 amp hours the batteries only accept the full 45amp output for 10-15 minutes. After that the internal voltage rises to the point where the current begins it’s downward curve. Within 40 minutes total the charge rate has dropped to 20amps. A 55amp charger just doesn’t improve this by enough to make it worth the extra cost for me. This charge behavior is completely consistent with performance of my 60amp solar controller.IOW: It works perfectly.The IQ-Equalizer plugs in and drives the controller as follows15.4volts for 2 hours13.6 volts foreverDisconnect module to restart.I replaced a 30 year old charger that had become noisy in my 1993 Coronado class A motohome with an IOTA DLS 55. Unit is quiet, easy to install and solid built.This item was used in my 5th wheel. It was a simple plug and play item.I replaced an IOTA charger with this, the latest model of the same thing, and I am VERY happy with the purchase. It went in and functions exactly as specified, and with the separate IQ controller plug in device, I have the option of changing over to LiPo with just an IQ controller change in future. This charger with the controller keeps my batteries at the perfect level, eliminating the worry of overcharging when we have to leave it plugged in for a long stay at the full hookup campsites.There are a pair of 30 amp fuses that will blow if you accidentally reverse wire your battery, instead of frying the unit's internals, as well. (Sure, we all think: "I'd never do that", ...until it happens.)Note that my previous charger was stock equipment on a 2003 RV, and when I called, the folks at IOTA said: don't plan on using these chargers for more than fifteen years. The capacitors are consumable internal parts that start to go bad some few years after the ten year mark. I thought about it, and its not unreasonable to need to replace this kind of device every 15 years. Bring it on.I've got two of these chargers running 24/7. One has been running nearly constant since mid-June 2014 and the other has been in use since late April 2015. I'm also using the IQ4 controller to tie them together. These are used to run computer equipment tied to a large battery.(Currently, one unit is active at a time due to circuit limits on the 120v side. I swap them out about weekly.)These units have been running great. They run a pretty constant 45 amps without any problems. When the power goes out and runs down the battery, the chargers kick in with more amperage to run the equipment and charge the battery.My only wish is that the units came with lug terminals instead of screw terminals on the DC side. The screw terminals accept up to 4ga cable and, in my experience, the cable gets pretty warm when the device is operating fully. That's not the fault of the charger, but I would like to use larger cable. I also plan on buying more in the future, but it doesn't seem you can connect more than two units.*** Update 1/9/2017 ***I've been running these two chargers basically 24/7 since I got them. They are wonderful. Each device constantly runs between 30-40 amps DC output without a problem and when I disconnect one, the other easily takes over up to the maximum of 55 amps. I'm looking at either upgrading to the DLS-90 or adding an additional charger, but I still have my (apparently unique) situation of needing to connect more than two chargers to the IQ4, which does not appear to be possible.This is one very nice unit very easy to install. If you're charger is over 10 years old it's time for a new one. The diodes wear out so did the cooling fan. For the cost of the unit it's cheaper to replace it than to repair your old one.Was really excited until I noticed the plug isn't American. Why was it delivered like it was Jimmy Johns freaky fast subs but I thought it came from overseas and had a UK plug?? After some research I find that its a NEMA 6-20 plug which is still a "U.S." type plug but by far not conventional to the generic style commonly used. Now I gotta make a trip to The Home Depot now to find a extension for it. I'm not complaining though since I love that store and I'm not even a dad yet.Exelente, fácil de instalar