Need help with specs

[rsl]

The power panel in my 2010 Cherokee 295U 5er came with no manual on the power panel. I need help identifing if it is a 2 or 3 stage charger, has an inverter builtin and so on. picture is attached, I think the brand is WMF

[Bama Rambler]

It should be a 3-stage but your picture is a little close to get that info. Take a few more pics and maybe a little futher away and we'll be glad to help.

[ronhanson]

It looks like a WFCO 8955 possibly. If so 3 stage, but you should be able to find the model number and make on there somewhere.

[rsl]

that is the only thing left on it original, all of the other info is covered up by stickers that forest river put on it to identify the breakers

[PattiPatti]

I can't help you, but we were so close to buying that same model 5th wheel! It's gorgeous. In fact, some days i do wonder if i made the right call going with a TT...

[rsl]

bigger picture??

[NWJeeper]

I would contact FR and ask what the conveter is. From what I can find on the net it is a WFCO converter and most likely a 3-stage but don't trust that unless you can find some documentation for it. Did FR not provide a manual for it?

Also it is very unlikely that it has an INverter built into it (converts 12VDC from your batteries to 120VAC) as most dont. This should purely be a Converter/Charger which converts 120VAC to 12VDC for your systems and charges your battery. The only way to know if it is 3 stage is if you have a way to monitor it's max output which will be in the neighborhood of 14.4 volts. Even 3 stage converters will show 13.6 volts output as this is standard.

I didn't have any luck searching for "70VF" and even WFCO's web site does not list that model so there might be something elsewhere (unfortunately under a tag?) that lists the true model number.

[rsl]

I hunted around the panel and found a WCFO sticker

[rsl]

OK here is what I found out, It is a WFCO Model WF-8955PEC. Does anyone no anything about this unit? 2 or 3 stage, is it a decent unit or should I replace it with something better? Does anyone know where the battery level monitor gets its level from; the furance ran for like 30 minutes out of everyhour overnight on battery power and when I checked the level this morning it was at 2/3????

[acadianbob]

Others may prove me wrong but I think your battery monitor is a simple voltage monitor. I found the stock monitor to be grossly misleading. When it reads 2/3, you are almost dead for any useful purposes. (at least with my stock monitor). So I bought a simple Voltminder and hooked it into the buss to get a more accurate read. I found that, by the time my stock monitor showed 2/3, the actual charge was getting down around 50 to 60%; which means virtually nothing left; about 12.1 to 12.2 volts. You should never take your battery down below 50%. So, when I start seeing 12.3 volts or so, on comes the generator as you've already used at least half of your available power, while your stock monitor still says 3/3. I also like the Voltminder because it tells me the rate at which my WFCO is charging when I am running the generator. (We dry camp almost exclusively). There are more sophisticated devices out there for monitoring that give you even more information but I didn't want to spend that much. Some other members have gone that route and could tell you about that.

[acadianbob]

P.S. That furnace blower "eats charge" like crazy. So, I'm not surprised that your battery was low.

[NWJeeper]

Originally Posted by rsl

OK here is what I found out, It is a WFCO Model WF-8955PEC. Does anyone no anything about this unit? 2 or 3 stage, is it a decent unit or should I replace it with something better? Does anyone know where the battery level monitor gets its level from; the furance ran for like 30 minutes out of everyhour overnight on battery power and when I checked the level this morning it was at 2/3????

A quick search on Google and then WFCO's website found the spec sheet for this unit.

It is a 55amp conveter/charger, as suspected there is no inverter built in and it is a 3 stage charger. You're good to go. This should do a great job of keeping up your batteries in storage. You still need to be sure to check the fluid level in the batteries at least once a month if left plugged in.

[rsl]

Ohh so 2/3 is almost dead???? I guess i need something more reliable. Can someone give me some info on some decent(but not to expensive) easy to install monitors

[NWJeeper]

Originally Posted by rsl

Ohh so 2/3 is almost dead???? I guess i need something more reliable. Can someone give me some info on some decent(but not to expensive) easy to install monitors

After researching many of these monitoring systems at length I have found that most of them come in between $250 and $350 in price. The one exception is the Trimetric 2025RV. I decided on this one for the features and price.

I installed it myself and it is a real eye opener as to the condition of your systems. It's how I figured out that my 2 stage converter was never going to fully charge my batteries correctly by the battery manufacturers recommendations and how much power different items draw. I would never have another RV now without one of these.

[LadyWindrider]

A monitor won't fix anything, or correct a situation. If you plan on running the furnace for several nights, you are going to have to charge the battery a lot. A monitor will tell you what is going on, if you know what you're reading, but it won't change the situation that a single 12 volt battery is not going to last very long with the furnace running. Explain your situation a little better, and maybe you will get some help. Might want to start a new thread.

[rsl]

My situation is we were camping in a ntiaonl park and te temp got into the low 30's at night and 15 - 20 mph winds. Quiet hours are 10pm to 6 am. We have a 1 year old. I am just lookinh to power a few lights (DC) in the camper and the heat throughout the night. I just am in need of enough battery power to do that if the situation arises again. Laso I am able to recharge the batteries durning the day with my generator.

[LadyWindrider]

If you run the furnace any at night, you will have to recharge the battery DAILY! You are also probably running water from the tank, and the water pump is 12 volts, and takes a lot of juice from your battery. Showers, washing dishes, also takes a lot. Make sure the fridge heat is off if equipped. A monitor will help to determine charge condition, but with a time constraint on generator usage, I would recharge every evening, after showers. I would also plug the the camper in to the generator and use the camper converter, usually good for 30~50 amps, depending on model. That works for me, your mileage may vary.

[rsl]

Batteries were recharged daily. I made sure all showering and water useage was done prior to generator cutoff (the small pressurized accumulator tank provided enough water for the toilet flushing at night) My concern is having enough juice to run the heat throught the night. What is the camper converter you refering to ?

[LadyWindrider]

The converter I'm referring to is the one built in to the camper that started this thread. The specs given in post#12 stated 55 amp charger. I would plug the camper in to the generator, and the the converter in the camper should recharge your battery in a couple of hours, at least for another night. I would also use a ceramic heater while the generator is running to help warm the camper before the generator must be shut down. The other possibilities are bad generator, converter or bad battery. Have you checked each of these the INDIVIDUALLY?? One other thing, don't come back with the answer they are "new". New means nothing anymore

[rsl]

I am not saying I have a problem, this is the first time we have been boondocking and was trying to get more information. The generator hhoked up to the regular shoreline connector seems to be powering everything and recharging the batteries just fine. I was just trying to get some info on the built in battery monitor and how long I can run the furnace on the battery (without damaging the battery).