11 Choices for the Best RV Converter in 2024
LOOKING FOR THE BEST RV CONVERTER FOR YOUR RV?
You are in the right place because the 11 best choices for RV converters are all featured here. How do we know they are the best? We have traveled and lived in our RV since 2010 and have done the testing and research needed to bring you the best RV converters.
RV converters are important to keep your batteries charged. This prolongs your batteries life and prevents you from being left in the dark.
Even older RVs need converters. Often you can find a direct replacement for your converter, or you may want to upgrade.
Below we have listed the best converters for your RV’s electrical system. A new converter will prevent lots of headaches down the road.
Options for an RV Converter
1. Progressive Dynamics Power Converter
Progressive Dynamics makes multiple great power converters. If you are looking for a great RV converter charger, we would recommend one of the two listed below. We use the 60 amp version, and it has done a fantastic job for us.
The 80 Amp version is very similar to the 60 Amp version. The 80 amp is slightly bigger than the 60 amp version and will be able to give you a full charge for your system’s batteries faster.
This is a smart converter with a charge wizard, which lets you know what is happening with the power converter, and you can adjust how it is charging. If your RV comes with a WFCO converter and you would like to upgrade, this can be a plug-and-play option that people enjoy.
This product has a 4.7-star rating out of more than 1,000 reviews. We would agree with the five-star rating and the great product. You should expect these products to last somewhere between 5 and 10 years.
2. Powermax
This Powermax power converter will convert your 110 volt AC to a 12V DC power supply. It is a 3-stage converter. This means it has 3 different settings for the number of amps it will put out.
The first stage will put out around 1 or 2 amps. The second stage will put out around 10A, and the third stage will put out 50 amps. These types of converters are basically car chargers that can charge at 50 amps with a duty cycle of 100 percent.
This means that the converter can run continuously with a 50 amp output. These are great to replace your standard converter that comes with your RV. They are quiet operation converters and can charge at a higher amperage.
Many people really like this converter. The reviews are fantastic, with many people benefit from replacing old stock converters with a new Powermax converter.
3. WFCO WF-8945REP 45 Amp DC Converter Replacement Kit
These WFCO replacement converters are very nice. They are made to replace your stock RV converter. These are plug-and-play making them very easy to use. If your travel trailer has a WFCO converter, you should check if this works for your replacement.
It has good reviews, free shipping, and free returns if you happen to change your mind or decide on something different. This is for 45 amps and will replace your Parallax # 7345.
If you need the WFCO WF-8955rep 55 amp converter replacement kit, they also sell that style.
▶ SHOP WFCO Replacement Converter
4. Progressive Dynamics Inteli-Power Converter
The Progressive Dynamics Series Inteli-Power Converter is another great option for a replacement converter. If you have a Parallax 7155, it will fit right into the old converter space, and the wiring setup is very easy. You do not need to be a professional electrician to install this.
The Progressive converter is 4 stage and comes with the charge wizard, which will significantly increase your lead-acid batteries battery life. Be careful purchasing a cheap converter. They can do a great job, but if they don’t turn off and on properly, they will create havoc on your expensive RV batteries.
If you have lithium-ion batteries, we would recommend using a converter specifically made for those batteries. The Progressive Dynamics PD9160ALV is a lithium-ion battery 60 amp converter and charger. It is designed to work best with lithium batteries.
SHOP Progressive Dynamics Converter
5. Arterra WF-9845 45 Amp DC Deck Mount Converter
The Arterra is a very quiet converter made by WFCO. It comes with a 2-year warranty from the day you purchase the converter and is a three-stage converter. It has a 45 amp output. Because many campers come standard with WFCO converters, this can be the exact replacement you need.
Many people find this to be a very good replacement that will last for many years. The 45 amp charge can be a little lower than what some people like, but if your current converter is 45 amps and you have not had any issues, this is exactly what you need.
They also sell a WF-9855, which is a 55 amp version. It is only a little bit more expensive, but people like it better. If you want a little more power, we would recommend using the 55 amp version.
6. IOTA Engineering Power Converter
The IOTA RV power converter is for smaller campers. It is very lightweight, weighing only 3.5 pounds with an output amperage of 30 amps.
Do keep in mind this should not be used if you are charging Lithium Ion batteries, but if you have flooded batteries or any other batteries, this will work great. If you have a bad battery and are looking for new batteries, check out our Deep Cycle Battery Guide.
For the size, this is a great product. If you want something that is going to take up less space, this is one of your best RV converter options. If you have multiple batteries, this can also work great. The 30 amp RV converter will keep up better if you are using more than one battery.
Those who use this product find it to be a great product, and you should be satisfied with this purchase. The other great thing about this product is that it is the best economical RV converter at half the price but still a great reliable product.
7. WFCO – 318.1451 (WF8945PEC)
WFCO was founded in 1976 and is a big deal when it comes to RV converters. They have a large selection of RV power converters. You will find their products in many RVs and shouldn’t be surprised we have listed them multiple times in this article.
If you want to learn more about them or their products, you can here.
They create a good product. If you have the WF8945PEC in your RV or camper, the WFCO – 318.1451 is the exact RV power converter replacement you need.
They come in different colors, and shown below are the brown and black versions. These converters are quiet replacements and fully insulated. They are a 55 amp output. You should be able to install this on your own in about 30 minutes.
8. Parallax Power 55RU
If your RV converter is not a WFCO converter, there is a good chance it is a Parallax Power supply converter. They have been around for 50 years and make reliable products. This converter is the direct replacement for the Parallax 7355 power stations. This is for the Parallax and MagneTek centers.
We highly recommend replacing the stock converter with its direct replacement unless you need something slightly different. For example, if you have lithium-ion batteries or need more than 55 amps of clean power.
If you are installing this product, you should install the 4400TAU temperature compensation upgrade at the same time. It will prevent battery boil. It senses the battery condition and will adjust the charge accordingly.
9. Vevor Converter Charger
If you are on a budget and in need of a camper converter, the Vevor Converter is a reasonable option. It is about half the cost or more than half the cost of other converters. It does use a three-stage charging system to intelligently maintain the batteries.
We would only use this product if you are on a budget. It is not rated as highly as the other converters, but it is the cheapest converter you will find. It has ok reviews and will charge your batteries when connected to your power source.
10. Go Power GPC-55-MAX
This Go Power camper converter is a decent converter. This is not as commonly used as the other converters but is a good converter for the cost. It is a little bit cheaper and has 4-stage battery charging.
It can work for a battery bank with 6 batteries but would not use if you have more than that. The installation is easy and weighs about 5 pounds.
11. WFCO WF68100A Deck Mount 100
The WFCO WF68100A Deck Mount 100 is another WFCO product with a unique use. This converter works at 100 amps and will charge the batteries. This is often used for larger RV batteries or 5th wheels because they can use a lot of power at one time. This will be your best RV converter if you have a large RV.
Some people have incorrectly stated that this will not charge your batteries. This is incorrect. This will charge your batteries. It can be used with or without batteries because of the large amperage output.
This is a universal fit product, so if you are looking for more amps because your chargers do not charge your batteries fast enough or you are using too many amps, so your lights flicker, this is for you.
This is a great product with good ratings. You will be glad you have this in your big rig RV.
▶ SHOP: WFCO WF68100A Converter
RV Converter vs Inverter
Many people confuse an inverter and a converter. They are different, and they are used differently, but both are useful as we use both in our RV.
A converter is used to charge your batteries. It will take shore power and convert it to the 12V power that is used to power your RV’s 12 volt electrical system which consists of lights, carbon monoxide detector, water pump, ETC.
An inverter is used to transfer power from your 12V system into a 120 AC voltage power system. This means you can use an inverter to charge your computer or RV appliances when you are not connected to shore power.
Some companies will use converter and inverter interchangeably because the general public will confuse them so often. For example, if a converter says 12 volt DC to 120V AC converter, you are technically purchasing an inverter since you are going from 12V to 120V.
Keep in mind that an inverter can discharge your batteries quickly if using it heavily. However, if you have solar panels, you can charge your batteries without shore power when using the batteries to power 120v RV appliances.
If you would like to check out some great power inverters, we would recommend looking at the below options.
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Best Battery Chargers to Use with Your Converter
If your converter does not charge the batteries well, or you are in need of a faster charge, you can use a battery charger with your converter.
A converter, in reality, is a specialized battery charger. If your converter does not work, you could technically replace it by just using a battery charger, but battery chargers don’t typically charge as fast as your converter.
The other reason you may want to purchase a battery charger is to prolong the life of your converter. By using smart chargers or battery maintainers while your RV is not in use, instead of relying on your converter to keep the batteries charged, you will prolong the life of your converter.
Below we have some great battery charger options. We always bring a charger with us on our trips just as a precaution. They can come in handy.
👉 Click On Any Image Below to Shop Battery Chargers 👈
Understanding the Difference Between an RV Power Converter and RV Battery Charger
Battery chargers and camper power converters are similar, but they are not the same. Here are a few of the main differences.
Converters can push a lot more amps than your typical battery charger. Most battery chargers have a max amperage output of 20 or 30 amps. Your RV battery converter can have an amperage output of up to 100 amps.
This is because they are made so you can quickly charge your batteries while you are using the 12 volt electrical system. Battery chargers are not made to run your appliances and charge simultaneously like some battery converters.
For example, the 100 amp WFCO converter we recommend for large amperage users can work without batteries. This means even if your batteries are no longer good, you will still have all the amps you need to run your 12V system as long as you are plugged into shore power.
A battery charger cannot do this. It can only charge your batteries and is best done over a longer time period.
In short, a battery converter will charge your batteries much faster than your battery charger, and because of this, some can actually power your 12V DC system without batteries. A battery charger is not made to do this.
Taking Care of Your RV Batteries and Converters
It is very important to take care of the batteries in your motorhome. They can be one of the most expensive things you replace, and if not taken care of properly, you will have to replace them frequently.
Do not let your batteries fully discharge if possible. Every time your batteries fully discharge, battery life is lost. A properly functioning converter will prevent this from happening as long as you are plugged into shore power, using a generator, or solar panels.
If your batteries are not staying charged while you are plugged into shore power, you will want to replace your DC power converter.
If you are not using your motorhome, you may want to opt for a battery maintainer or battery charger to keep your batteries charged. This will make your converter last longer, and a maintainer or battery charger is much cheaper and will last longer. You can look at battery maintainers and chargers above.
RV Converter Accessories
If you are adding or replacing a power battery converter, you may want to make sure your deep cycle batteries are good and there is no corrosion. Below are some accessories we have used and find helpful with our batteries and camper converters.
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FAQs – Best RV Converter
What does the RV converter do?
The best RV converter does two things. It charges your batteries when you are plugged into shore power, and some will run your 12V power when plugged into shore power.
Does an RV need a converter?
An RV does not have to have a battery converter, but they are highly recommended. They will keep your batteries charged when you are connected to shore power or when using your generator.
What size battery converter do I need?
The typical RV owner’s converter is 45 to 55 amps. However, they do make larger and smaller converters. The difference is how fast they will charge your batteries and how much 12V power you will be using at any given time.
Can an RV converter work without a battery?
Yes, they can, but not all of them will. If you want a converter to work without a battery, you should use this one.
Do I need an RV converter when connected to shore power?
You do not need an RV converter when connected to shore power, but your lights and other parts of your RV run off a 12V system. If you do not have charged batteries or a good converter, the 12V section of your RV won’t work even when connected to shore power.
How do I know if my RV converter is charging my battery?
You can check this with a voltmeter, or If you are connected to shore power, and your batteries are always dead, this is probably because your converter is not charging them.
What happens when the RV converter goes bad?
When your RV converter goes bad, your batteries will not charge when connected to shore power. The first time we had a bad converter, we were connected to power, and our lights stopped working. This was a good indication that our converter had stopped working.
How much does it cost to replace an RV converter?
It can cost between $90 and $450 to replace an RV converter, but your typical converter will be around $250.
Final Thoughts: Best RV Converter
Everyone has different RV needs, but in general, everyone should have an RV converter if they want to have proper charging of their batteries. A root cause of battery failure is often discharging your batteries too much too often and they freeze when discharged.
Whether you are plugged into shore power or using your onboard generator, you will need a good functioning converter. These converters will last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. This is a great investment and will save you money in the long fun by keeping your batteries charged and in good shape.
RV life and camping is always better when your battery power is functioning properly.
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