While at a seminar in Goshen , the presenter, Brian Moran or Drew Stratton, I believe, stated that the WFCO converter in our rig was not built to handle my two Trojan T105 6volt batteries! Too much amperage or something . Does anyone have further info about this?
Well, that makes very little sense since the WFCO has a maximum amperage and should protect itself anyway. 2 6 volt batteries are exactly the same as two 12's or even one 12 from an electrical point of view.
That would be like saying that the WFCO can handle a battery up to so many amp hours.
There is an urban myth about WFCO converters not going into Bulk mode (14.4v) and not going out of Absorb mode (13.6v). I think this is what those presenters must believe, so they shouldn't be lecturing about RV converters.
Trojan specs call for Bulk at 14.8v, Absorb at 13.6v and Float at 13.2v. Standard RV converters (WFCO, Progessive Dynamics) etc have a Bulk mode of 14.4v, Absorb mode of 13.6v and Float of 13.2v which will not hurt 2 Trojan 6v batteries in series.
You do have a three stage converter with the above specs.
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2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting 2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
It seemed a bit strange to me , especially after reading so much about utilizing 2 six volt versus 2 twelve volt configurations...why would so many knowledgeable RVers advocate for the advantages of T105 or similar "golf cart" batteries if the most common converters would not be compatible ?
It seemed a bit strange to me , especially after reading so much about utilizing 2 six volt versus 2 twelve volt configurations...why would so many knowledgeable RVers advocate for the advantages of T105 or similar "golf cart" batteries if the most common converters would not be compatible ?
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6 Volt batteries in series are 12 volts and thus compatible.
6 Volt batteries can pack larger plates in the same space as 12 volt batteries of the same size. When batteries are wired in series, the VOLTAGE is doubled (but not capacity). When batteries are wired in parallel CAPACITY is doubled but not voltage.
So you always need two of 6 volt batteries in an RV wired as indicated. The converters work just great in 2 six volt battery banks.
Always...
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
While at a seminar in Goshen , the presenter, Brian Moran or Drew Stratton, I believe, stated that the WFCO converter in our rig was not built to handle my two Trojan T105 6volt batteries! Too much amperage or something . Does anyone have further info about this?
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
I believe you mis-heard what he said or he mis-spoke.
The converter can supply (depending on model, camper demand, and wire fusing) anywhere from 30 to 60 amps of charging amperage during BULK charge mode. That is plenty for even the largest banks.
NORMALLY, BULK (battery BANK capacity LESS than about 50%) only lasts a few minutes to an hour and the initial battery voltage is high enough to require only 20 - 25 amps in that mode.
In reality, your battery bank would have to be completely dead for full rated charging amperage to be needed and may be interpreted by a converter as a dead short and prevent the converter from powering up at all (or a fuse could blow).
THAT may be what he said; but that is also true for large 12 volt banks as well.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Those presenters (Brian & Drew) don't have clue and should not be lecturing.
Seems a little extreme unless you were there to hear what was actually said.
I found them to be well informed and I always learn something new each year.
Remember also they are not teaching a Physics course. Their material is aimed at the new to average RV owner and only get deeper when responding to a specific question "off script". They try not to do that because it confuses the neophytes in the audience.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
I agree with Herk as to the competency of the presenters. Please do not misunderstand what I am saying, I was just confused by their statement( if I understood correctly) that two 6 V batteries should not be used with the standard converter that comes with most forest river RVs.
Just to clarify, I would like your opinion as to the capacity or efficacy of my converter (attached picture) for charging and maintaining my two 6 V batteries that I have wired in a series in my rig.
I agree with Herk as to the competency of the presenters. Please do not misunderstand what I am saying, I was just confused by their statement( if I understood correctly) that two 6 V batteries should not be used with the standard converter that comes with most forest river RVs.
Just to clarify, I would like your opinion as to the capacity or efficacy of my converter (attached picture) for charging and maintaining my two 6 V batteries that I have wired in a series in my rig.Attachment 117950
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A 75 amp converter is PLENTY big for even 4 6 volt batteries.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Great! I plan on purchasing two more 6 V batteries for my eventual solar array. Since my Trojan T105 batteries are brand-new, can I wait to purchase two more or should I get them right away to make sure that all four are compatible?
I want to thank all of you who responded for your thoughtful and insightful responses to my questions.
There is an urban myth about WFCO converters not going into Bulk mode (14.4v) and not going out of Absorb mode (13.6v). I think this is what those presenters must believe, so they shouldn't be lecturing about RV converters.
Trojan specs call for Bulk at 14.8v, Absorb at 13.6v and Float at 13.2v. Standard RV converters (WFCO, Progessive Dynamics) etc have a Bulk mode of 14.4v, Absorb mode of 13.6v and Float of 13.2v which will not hurt 2 Trojan 6v batteries in series.
You do have a three stage converter with the above specs.
Unfortunately, the urban myth has some facts behind it. Quantifying the problem isn't going to happen to really know.
It took me some dedicated testing of my batteries and RV to determine that the installed WFCO (2014 8735P) was never going to drop to trickle mode at 13.2V. My particular WFCO simply did not meet its own spec.
As for going into bulk mode, WFCO restricts bulk mode to a battery sensed at below 12V. I could never verify that my installed WFCO would ever go into bulk mode - the 40 amp fuse popped when I actually had low batteries.
The reality is that there is a steady stream of complaints similar to mine (WFCO converters don't meet their own specs). Given the huge installed base of WFCO converters, I don't know if the failure rate is abnormal or not.
I do know that those who replace the WFCO converter with a Progressive Dynamics converter are much happier with their new converter. I have verified that my PD replacement goes into boost, absorb, and trickle modes when appropriate - according to PD specs.
As for the OP's question, any 3 stage converter meeting its specs will charge any size battery bank. How fast is the only difference. In the end, a battery cannot be charged faster than 20% of its capacity per hour, and that's only if it was quite low to begin with. Fully charging a 50% charged battery at maximum rates takes at least 5 hours no matter how big the charger.
Great! I plan on purchasing two more 6 V batteries for my eventual solar array. Since my Trojan T105 batteries are brand-new, can I wait to purchase two more or should I get them right away to make sure that all four are compatible?
I want to thank all of you who responded for your thoughtful and insightful responses to my questions.
Parallel battery banks have to be as equal as possible to avoid the parallel banks cross-feeding each other instead of the load in an attempt to equalize voltages.
If you buy all 4 batteries now, you want to use them equally.
If you do wait to buy the second pair of batteries, I would pair one new with one older in each bank, thereby keeping the 2 banks as equal as possible.
Fred W
2014 Rockwood A122 A-frame
Two Interstate GC-2 232AH 6V batteries (Costco, $150 for the pair)
In reality an RV 12V battery is really 6 2V cells in a singe case. Two 6V batteries in series is essentially 6 2V cells in series in two cases. Same thing.
I have been to this seminar the last two years and Drew has stated both years that the Weco converter is not to be used for 2 6V batteries. I disagree with him but I have a PI converter so I can not talk as an expert or whatever. But I think that two 6V batteries and the same as a 12v battery. I do know that for very heavy discharge rates the 2 6V batteries provide much better performance than a single 12V battery. Bottom line I think Drew is wrong or this point, but does provide much good basic information.
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Chuck & Sandra
Engineer/Teacher
2010 F350 CC 6.4
2015 Prime Time Sanibel 3601
If you plan on using 4 you might as well do it now and keep the batteries as matched as possible so one bank does not cycle out before the other pair (you will have less capacity than you think if you do.
Make sure you wire the banks so the current flow through the batteries is "Ohmically" equal. See graphic.
I would also use the largest diameter and shortest (but equal) length cables you can find to connect the two 6 volt batteries together to reduce "interbattery" resistance. See attached article on why.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
I have been to this seminar the last two years and Drew has stated both years that the Weco converter is not to be used for 2 6V batteries. I disagree with him but I have a PI converter so I can not talk as an expert or whatever. But I think that two 6V batteries and the same as a 12v battery. I do know that for very heavy discharge rates the 2 6V batteries provide much better performance than a single 12V battery. Bottom line I think Drew is wrong or this point, but does provide much good basic information.
Charging or discharging is a question of voltage and capacity. 2 12 volt batteries or two 6 volt batteries of equal total capacity (AH) will require identical charge profiles. I don't understand his point.
12 volt 100AH + 12 volt 100AH = 12 volts at 200AH Parallel
6 volt 200AH + 6 volt 200AH = 12 volts at 200AH series
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
I have been to this seminar the last two years and Drew has stated both years that the Weco converter is not to be used for 2 6V batteries. I disagree with him but I have a PI converter so I can not talk as an expert or whatever. But I think that two 6V batteries and the same as a 12v battery. I do know that for very heavy discharge rates the 2 6V batteries provide much better performance than a single 12V battery. Bottom line I think Drew is wrong or this point, but does provide much good basic information.
Kind of like "Handy Bob". He has some good info, but also some mis-information that people will tend to believe.
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2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting 2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
Herk7769, thanks for all the great info. For those of us not quite as literate as you in the ways of electrons, could you please post the proper order in which to hook up batteries to minimize the chance of a spark? I know for my two 12v batteries I hook up the positive first, then the ground. But for the 2 6volt batteries in your diagram, I am not sure. Thanks!
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2013 Forest River Surveyor SP220 Sport 25'
2012 Ram 1500 4X4, 5.7L Hemi quad cab
Herk7769, thanks for all the great info. For those of us not quite as literate as you in the ways of electrons, could you please post the proper order in which to hook up batteries to minimize the chance of a spark? I know for my two 12v batteries I hook up the positive first, then the ground. But for the 2 6volt batteries in your diagram, I am not sure. Thanks!
As long as the final ground wire to the frame is hooked up last, all the others don't matter at all.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Linear Mode
