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Old 05-14-2016, 11:35 PM   #1
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Need some help upgrading WCTO 8955 to Progressive 9260

Need some assistance ,I bought a 2005 Salem Travel Trailer 28BHSS and it didn't come with a convertor.But it has the WCTO 8955 panel,so my question is I understand how to wire the 12volt side but on the 120v side i would like to wire up a electrical plug to so I can just plug the convertor into that plug.So I will add a electrical box and use some regular house electrical wire to wire it up.i understand where the white/common wire goes to the alumninun block with the other white/common wires are and the the same with the copper ground wire goes to the alumninum block with the other ones,but where does the black/ hot wire go .I know it goes to a breaker but does it matter which one,I suspect I wouldn't put on the same one as the main shore line is.But as you can see in the picture there is no spots left for another black/hot wire so can I double it up?any help appreciated?
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Old 05-17-2016, 07:29 PM   #2
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I asked a similar question a few days before you. I have a 2015 FR 181. I have found that if I let the batteries (2- T105s) get below 40% about 12.3 volts my converter takes at least overnight to bring them back to 100% (12.8). I have a Wafco 8955 converter and board and I was anticipating replacing the 8955 with a Progressive Dynamics 9270. My problem is the lower shelf on the 8955 board is way to small to simply change out the two converters. I have a panel to the right (below the oven) that had special square head screws. I opened the panel and found that I had to go through a internal (sorta wall) just to get to the 8955 board and it is molded plastic. I would then have to cut away the sidewall on the main board and them run new wires from the board to the new converter. I've decided it's to big a job for me. I am now going to try only letting the batteries get to 12.6 before I either plug into AC or run the generator and see low long it take to use the existing converter to get back to 12.8 volts. I was hoping I could just exchange the PD 9270 with the Wafco but no luck
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Old 05-17-2016, 07:36 PM   #3
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I asked a similar question a few days before you. I have a 2015 FR 181. I have found that if I let the batteries (2- T105s) get below 40% about 12.3 volts my converter takes at least overnight to bring them back to 100% (12.8). I have a Wafco 8955 converter and board and I was anticipating replacing the 8955 with a Progressive Dynamics 9270. My problem is the lower shelf on the 8955 board is way to small to simply change out the two converters. I have a panel to the right (below the oven) that had special square head screws. I opened the panel and found that I had to go through a internal (sorta wall) just to get to the 8955 board and it is molded plastic. I would then have to cut away the sidewall on the main board and them run new wires from the board to the new converter. I've decided it's to big a job for me. I am now going to try only letting the batteries get to 12.6 before I either plug into AC or run the generator and see low long it take to use the existing converter to get back to 12.8 volts. I was hoping I could just exchange the PD 9270 with the Wafco but no luck
ditch the converter to charge the batteries . a good battery charger ,2,10,15 amp will do just fine . can run off your generator or any 120volt supply . i use a 10 amp for mine and takes if 50% discharged about 5 hrs . if you have more then one battery like 2 or 4 then it will take longer or you can get a larger amp battery charger 15 0r 20
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Old 05-17-2016, 08:50 PM   #4
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I have a 15 amp charger, but I have 2, 6 volts as well (225 amps) it takes a long time either way. My best bet is charging daily and not letting it get below 30% discharge, about 12.6 volts
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Old 05-17-2016, 09:59 PM   #5
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40% charge of your batteries should be closer to 11.8 volts


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I would return the PD 9270 and get a PD 4655 WFCO upgrade kit. Works great and we use a lot of power when dry camping. ( you know-roughing it!)
Usually takes about 3 hours to get over 90%. I added a little amp meter when I put in the 4655 to see how much power was being out putted.

DROKŪ Micro Voltmeter Current Meter Digital Voltmeter Gauge 100V /50A DC Current Meter LED Display Auto/Car/Eletronic Voltage Meter with Transformer (50A) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YBX1M18..._PP9oxb1T3YBSE




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Old 05-17-2016, 10:09 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mecka View Post
but where does the black/ hot wire go .I know it goes to a breaker but does it matter which one,I suspect I wouldn't put on the same one as the main shore line is.But as you can see in the picture there is no spots left for another black/hot wire so can I double it up?any help appreciated?
The PD9260 will run on a 15amp circuit. Sounds like you need to install a new CB, 15amp, into your panel. Attach the black wire to the new cb. You have already stated that you would run in a new receptacle box for the converter to plug into.
That should do it.

This is what I did http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...-a-104838.html
The 9260 does take a 15amp but I wired in a 20amp circuit, on a 20 amp CB, anyway.
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Old 05-17-2016, 10:18 PM   #7
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What camper doesn't come with a converter?
Are you sure it never had one?

Here's the best bang for your buck right here! http://www.bestconverter.com/55-Amp-...l#.Vzveg8g8KnM
Drop in replacement true 4 stage charger!
This will extend your battery life over and above a regular ole charger as previously suggested!



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Old 05-18-2016, 10:24 AM   #8
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The Trojan battery chart shows 12.1 at 50% I use 12.2 to make sure I stay above 50%. You have a great idea about the PD upgrade, I was thinking that I might upgrade to 4 batteries in the future so as long as I'm replacing the converter, get something bigger. But the 8955 just doesn't get enough volts to the batteries. Have you seen (on a meter) how many volts the PD replacement unit puts to the batteries? Are you using AC or a generator to recharge and do you know how long the last 10% takes?
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Old 05-18-2016, 10:48 AM   #9
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Ok. I have a voltage meter in one of my unused 12v sockets and it ramps up to 14.4 on bulk charge (and I have seen it push 30amps). The last 10% takes about another 5 hours or you can press the boost button and put it back into bulk mode. Now, I am using 2 24 batteries with 170ah so your results may vary. I don't worry about charging anymore now that I made this switch. Used to wake up to dead batteries with the WFCO as could never get it into bulk mode and was always left to guess.


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Old 05-18-2016, 11:05 AM   #10
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Thanks Hondaman. I wonder if I'll shorten the life of the batteries only re- charging to 90%, daily and only bringing them back to 100% once a week or so. I'm sold on the upgrade just always thought I should bring the batteries back to 100% if I were charge at all. Thanks again
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Old 05-18-2016, 11:10 AM   #11
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Lead acid batteries do not have a memory. If you discharge them down to 50% or below it is recommended to not store them in that state for very long, but 90% for a week should be no problem.
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Old 05-18-2016, 12:09 PM   #12
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I just noticed that the description of the product on the website has two different dimensions for the PD 4655 and both are big for. ..... never mind I think I answered myself. .... the metal enclosure is to big, I need to take out the charger part. One last question, replacing the 12 volt board seem like a lot of work..... did use have any issues Hondaman
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Old 05-18-2016, 01:00 PM   #13
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Not really. Connect all your circuits first but don't switch over the fuses. Then connect your battery and converter wires. Hardest part was finding a large enough screw to hold down the circuit board to the single mount point.

Call progressive and order their charge wizard pendant. The override button is a little hard to get to with the WFCO cover so either trim the cover or buy the pendant and put it more convenient place


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Old 05-18-2016, 06:14 PM   #14
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I have a 15 amp charger, but I have 2, 6 volts as well (225 amps) it takes a long time either way. My best bet is charging daily and not letting it get below 30% discharge, about 12.6 volts
a quik charge with a converter at what 30, 40 amps will never bring a battery to a good full charge . the slower the charge the deeper the charge .. what's your hurry anyways
so those 6 volt batteries are 225 amp each ?
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Old 05-18-2016, 07:09 PM   #15
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I have 2, Trojan T105's. 225 amps at 30hrs. Combine for 12 volts. I dry camp a lot, and don't want to run the generator a long time. I believed that I should always take the batteries back to 100%. That would take to long. I just learned that the PD 4655 will get them back to 90% in a couple of hours and that is all that is necessary. I don't need to get them all the way back. I Wfco 8955 would only put out 13.4 volts at 25 amps. By changing brands I cut my generator time I'm half!!!!!
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Old 05-18-2016, 07:12 PM   #16
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At home I have AC so it doesn't matter that it takes 36 hours to get from 12.3 volts to 100% (12.8).
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Old 05-19-2016, 02:17 PM   #17
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I have 2, Trojan T105's. 225 amps at 30hrs. Combine for 12 volts. I dry camp a lot, and don't want to run the generator a long time. I believed that I should always take the batteries back to 100%. That would take to long. I just learned that the PD 4655 will get them back to 90% in a couple of hours and that is all that is necessary. I don't need to get them all the way back. I Wfco 8955 would only put out 13.4 volts at 25 amps. By changing brands I cut my generator time I'm half!!!!!
so you run the batteries down in one night ? i understand not wanting to run the genny every day . but hard to believe you drain that much power in one night . i have 4 12v 105 amp hr batteries one is removed when i get to my fishing spot for a trolling motor and the others can run me easy for 3 nights , that's furnace , lights and a couple movies on the 42" tv before i have to charge
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Old 05-19-2016, 04:31 PM   #18
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I reasently installed the Trimetric battery monitor so I'll have a true measurement of reserve power. I've been reluctant to freely use all of the 12 volt accessories (water pump/heater, fridge, lights and heater) I could only guess how long 100 amp hours is. I'm spending 3 days this weekend with no hook up my TM 2030 and my generator. I'm convinced that I can only learn so much reading. I'll be back on Tuesday
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