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08-13-2022, 12:47 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 98
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Converter Replacement Suggestions
Hello. Looking to replace my bad WFCO WF-9855. I have heard many bad things about the Chinese made WF-9855 and would like to look at better converters for a direct replacement. In your opinions what would be a better made replacement for this converter? I can purchase the WF-9855, but I would love to have a better made replacement. Thanks to All
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08-13-2022, 01:02 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Dayton Ohio
Posts: 3,591
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Had that converter. Installed this one. Can work with lithium via the button.
RV Inteli-Power 9200 Series Converter/Charger 60 Amp Progressive Dy PD PD9260-CV
Seems faster. Seems better.
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08-13-2022, 01:46 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 98
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Ok thank you for the reply. I'll check that on out. I can putthe original brand back in, but why not upgrade. Thanks again for the suggestion.
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08-13-2022, 01:47 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 98
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Was it a plug and play or did you have to adapt to work? Thanks
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08-13-2022, 02:18 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Dayton Ohio
Posts: 3,591
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Just two big wires and a ground. Be careful do not reverse the lines.
Then the converter plugs into a wall socket typically.
Operation of the converter is easy to check. Just plug into shore power.
Use your voltmeter and measure voltage at the battery. The converter is likely 3 or 4 voltage model. Trickle 13.1, 13.4, 13.8 amd 14 or so, Depending on the battery condition. I assume you know it takes these converters days to fully charge a near dead battery. Starts out a 55 amps as I remember and goes down as the battery charges.
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08-13-2022, 02:33 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,559
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Check out this company and give them a call. Good prices and even better customer service. I called them up a few times for different projects and received excellent advice and help. I talked with Randy several times.
https://www.bestconverter.com/
__________________
Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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08-13-2022, 02:45 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 4,548
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Maybe I'm lucky? My WFCO WF-9855 is now 18 years old and working fine. The converter inside is really the only "working" part, the rest is just wiring.
-- Chuck
__________________
2006 Roo 23SS behind a 2017 Ford Expedition
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08-13-2022, 03:27 PM
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#8
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Retired Old Fart
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: McDonough, GA
Posts: 971
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I went with Progressive Dynamics model that is made to replace/upgrade that exact WFCO unit (4600 series PD units). It includes a replacement 12v fuse panel with their intelligent smart charger control button on the board. Also has red LEDs to tell you when a fuse is blown, no more guessing. It's a pretty simple install, just disconnect AC power (unplug the RV) and disconnect the 12v negative wire at the battery. They come in both the standard battery models and a newer version that is lithium compatible (switchable for battery type). The standard battery model is less expensive if you don't plan on using lithium, but the lithium model works just fine with the wet cell and AGM batteries.
https://www.progressivedyn.com/rv/po...r-4600-series/
Search for the "Progressive Dynamics PD4655v" on Youtube and there are a lot of videos of actual installs. E-trailer has a good video on the unit in general, but their YouTube video cannot be externally linked to play, but it shows up in a Youtube search.
__________________
Just the 2 of us in a...
"Currently between trailers"
Sold the 246RKS in 2023
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08-13-2022, 03:30 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 4,864
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Another vote here for Progressive Dynamics. Two travel trailers here and when I found out how long it took the WFCO converter to charge 2 6-volt GC batteries, I upgraded to Progressive Dynamics and it is much faster charging. It also has built in equalizing charging function for deep cycle lead-acid batteries, WFCO does not.
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08-13-2022, 03:53 PM
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#10
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Retired Old Fart
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: McDonough, GA
Posts: 971
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I forgot to say that the Progressive Dynamics units are totally automatic. You do not have to do anything, no button pushing, no switches, no nothing. Once installed it will automatically maintain your batteries including equalization. The Smart Wizard on the DC fuse panel will let you manually change the charge state if you need to, but otherwise it's all automatic.
Also the Progressive Dynamics units are AMERICAN MADE!!!! Not Chinese.
__________________
Just the 2 of us in a...
"Currently between trailers"
Sold the 246RKS in 2023
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08-13-2022, 04:03 PM
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#11
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Part-Time Campground Host
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 3,185
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NavyLCDR
Another vote here for Progressive Dynamics. Two travel trailers here and when I found out how long it took the WFCO converter to charge 2 6-volt GC batteries, I upgraded to Progressive Dynamics and it is much faster charging. It also has built in equalizing charging function for deep cycle lead-acid batteries, WFCO does not.
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X3.
When our WFCO went out I went to PD and upped the wattage. They make a great converter.
__________________
Craig & Cath
2018 2902WS Rockwood Ultra Lite (with tons of Mods)
2022 F250 Lariat Super Cab, 7.3 gas w/10 Spd Xmsn
Equalizer Hitch w/4-Point Sway Control
Days camped since 2015(retirement): 1680
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08-13-2022, 04:37 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 98
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Wow, looks like most go with the PD for a replacement. I try and upgrade everything I can as they fail, considering the junk parts these things are composed of. Thank you guys, I'll start pricing some of the recommendations.
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08-13-2022, 04:54 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,559
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I have installed and used both PD and Boondocker converters. Both are definite upgrades and perform great but I find myself preferring Boondocker. No particular reason, I just like the look and feel of the Boondocker. I also feel it charges up my batteries a little quicker, but no data to support that theory.
__________________
Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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08-13-2022, 05:15 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 98
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The Boondocker look to be a good product. Right now I have a positive, negative, and ground going to my converter. From there it plugs into the back of my fuse/breaker panel. Is that how the Boondocker converters are or do you have to adapt them? Thanks
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08-13-2022, 05:16 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 98
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Thank you for the suggestion.
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08-13-2022, 05:16 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 98
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Thank you for the reply.
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08-13-2022, 05:17 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,559
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bramic71
The Boondocker look to be a good product. Right now I have a positive, negative, and ground going to my converter. From there it plugs into the back of my fuse/breaker panel. Is that how the Boondocker converters are or do you have to adapt them? Thanks
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Exactly the same install. Both PD and Boondocker are exact replacements as far as connecting.
__________________
Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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08-13-2022, 05:21 PM
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#18
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Part-Time Campground Host
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 3,185
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bramic71
The Boondocker look to be a good product. Right now I have a positive, negative, and ground going to my converter. From there it plugs into the back of my fuse/breaker panel. Is that how the Boondocker converters are or do you have to adapt them? Thanks
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These converters and pretty much plug and play. install will be no problem, unless your converter is in an inaccessible place. Like you have to lay on your back, twist around, and then go inverted to reach the connections.
Or you can just add a new chuck of wire. Make sure you use the correct gage.
__________________
Craig & Cath
2018 2902WS Rockwood Ultra Lite (with tons of Mods)
2022 F250 Lariat Super Cab, 7.3 gas w/10 Spd Xmsn
Equalizer Hitch w/4-Point Sway Control
Days camped since 2015(retirement): 1680
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08-13-2022, 06:36 PM
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#19
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Retired Old Fart
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: McDonough, GA
Posts: 971
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Another suggestion....
If you don't already have a plug in power EMS for your trailer (you did not say what trailer you have), take a look behind your converter and fuse panel and see if you have room to mount a hard wired model. I did, and it's a good time to take care of both upgrades if you are already working on the WFCO replacement.
Look at the Progressive Industries hard wired models. They come in both 30amp and 50amp version (like I said, not sure what trailer you have), and they are pretty easy to install.
They replace those plug in units that people are concerned about "walking off" as they are pretty expensive. Does the exact same thing as a plug in version, just mounted inside the trailer out of sight and you have a small remote display to look at for the information.
Again check Youtube for Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C (30 amp version) and you will see how easy it is to install. The only difference between the 30 amp and 50 amp versions is the number of wires. The process is the same.
https://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems-hw30c
__________________
Just the 2 of us in a...
"Currently between trailers"
Sold the 246RKS in 2023
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