12 volt battery charging

[babock]

When I switched converters(one of the first things I did when I bought my trailer), I put a PD one right next to my batteries. I took the WFCO one out so I could sell it on eBay. Takes less than 15 minutes to remove.

[TowPro]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

When I changed my WFCO converter and installed a PD converter the entire process took me about 30 minutes. Located about the same as yours and I had to lay on the floor. Two connections for output to the fuse board and three wires to the AC supply side.
(a tip, if you have to lay on your side on the floor, just grab a cushion off the Dinette/bed if you have one. Makes floor far more comfortable )

Now if you're replacing the entire power center, THAT's different story.

My brother just replaced his WFCO converter in his power center. took him less than an hour. (I also bought a converter from that link above, but it was a deck mount, not one in the power center. both happy with our purchase.



Here is an example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePc49po9jJE

[NJKris]

I didn't know the converter was that easy to change, I figured the whole load panel would have to be changed, with all the circuits. No reason to ditch the WFCO while it is still good. The newer ones have 3 stage charging:

Three-Stage Smart Charging
In order to maximize battery life, it is best to charge batteries slowly, keep them topped o with a trickle-charge when the RV is not being used. e 3-Stage “smart” charger continuously measures the battery voltage output and regulates the amount of charge using three modes of operation; Absorption, Bulk and Float modes.
All WFCO power converters are automatic three-stage switching power supplies. e converter senses which mode it needs to be in by checking the RV system voltage.
e converter normally provides a constant target output voltage of 13.6 VDC (nominal) to power all the branch circuits. However, it is current limited, and if the output (load) current reaches its maximum, the output voltage will drop as necessary to hold the converter’s maximum output current level (the Amperage rating) without exceeding it.
If the output current reaches its maximum (normally caused by a discharged battery), this will cause the converter to go into Bulk Mode, which means the target output voltage will change to 14.4 VDC and a timer will start. Although the converter is outputting 14.4 VDC, you will not be able to read that on a voltmeter due to the voltage-current relationship. From the paragraph above, as load current increases, output voltage decreases. e actual output voltage will not rise until the load current is reduced, which happens naturally as the battery charges or if 12 VDC appliances are turned o .
Bulk Mode will be maintained until the current draw drops to approximately ve Amps, or until the timer reaches four hours (whichever happens rst). en the target output voltage is changed back to 13.6 VDC for Absorption Mode. Lights that are powered from the output may change brightness slightly at that time

Also found out it will operate without a battery: WF-8735 model converters provide 35 Amp DC output, and a highly reliable nominal 13.6 VDC with or without a battery. No extra filtering is required.

[babock]

I have read the WFCO description of their 3 stage charging before. Their description kind of differs from the way most manufacturers describe theirs.


Scroll down to the Three stage charging section:
http://www.chargingchargers.com/tutorials/charging.html


That's the way they are supposed to work. The WFCO I had would never reach anywhere near 14V during its charge cycle. Basically, it is supposed to stay in Bulk until it his a little over 14V and then stay in constant voltage mode until the battery draws little or no current before it goes into float. The WFCO does not do this. For this reason, you have to run your generator a LOT longer to get your batteries even up to 80% SOC vs a good converter like a PD.


If you don't mind running your generators all day, only charge at home or just go to places with electric hookups, may not matter.

[TowPro]

and you don't have use WFCO replacement parts.

Boondocker converters (in my link above) is a good choice. comes in 45a, 55a and 75a. and is 4 stage with 2 year warranty.

Progressive dynamics makes Inteli-Power® 4600 Series with charge Wizard 4 stage that is a direct replacement.


I bet there is more.

[Peaches01]

Would you be willing to share the details of your” project in the works”? - charging with solar? Thanks