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Old 08-03-2023, 12:30 PM   #1
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Western Massachusetts
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Thumbs up WFCO 8955PEC Upgraded to PD 4655L MBA Wildkat

I have been planning to replace my 2, 4-year old 6-volt GC-2 lead acid batteries with a single 200Ah LiFePO4 battery. About a week ago, I upgraded the charger/converter main board assembly in the WFCO 8955PEC with the Progressive Dynamics 4655L WildKat MBA. I've been casually monitoring its operation using the Victron BMV-712 while still using my 2, 6-volt GC-2s.

The installation was technically easy, but the cramped working area in my 23IKSS allowed unknown 72-year old muscles and joints to bark for several days! Please note that for me, there was no need to replace the 12V circuit distribution board since the WildKat MBA includes the Charge Wizard remote which negates the need for the push button and LED that is on the replacement 12V boards packaged into some of the PD 4655 kits.

Since I have yet to replace my GC-2s, I left the LA/Li jumper on LA, since I won't acquire a new LiFePo4 battery until this fall. However it is nice to be able to utilize the new charger/converter with the GC-2s to see any difference in charging. So far, I have only one charge cycle on the new PD 4655 and it was started with the GC-2s at about 12.3V. It took about 36 hours on shore power to go into float mode at 13.2V. Based on this single experience, I can't say that the GC-2s charged any faster than with the old WFCO charger/converter as I have no empirical data with which to contrast the before/after charging process.

However, the main advantages I now have are:
1) an easy LiFePO4 battery replacement; just change the jumper on the PD 4655 board;
2) an easy change back to LA batteries should I sell the 23IKSS, taking my LiFePO4 battery with me to the next RV;
3) the ability to manually place the charger into "bulk" mode when dry camping to (hopefully) maximize the generator's output when charging-up the batteries.

Note: There are some posts on other forums about difficulty installing the PD 4655 WildKat MBA in the WFCO 8955. PD includes a mounting bracket that installs on the front of the WFCO MBA enclosure and locks into (press-fit tabs) the new PD 4655 MBA board. Originally, the WFCO MBA board is oriented with the heat sink along the front end of the enclosure but the PD 4655 is oriented with its heat sink at the back of the enclosure...that may also be part of the confusion.
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2007 GoldenDoodle ("Cooper") R.I.P.
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Old 08-03-2023, 01:42 PM   #2
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I'm impressed by a lot of the progressive dynamics stuff that fit into others compartments and interface pretty flawlessly. Price wise not too bad either.



I just changed my WFCO 8955 to a WFCO 8955 "LIS" by swapping out the main convertor MBA and the 12volt fuse board. It took better part of an hour but it's really easy and I'm pretty pleased. This is the first unit I have owned that has the little LED lights that tell you when something is wrong on the circuits. But this has a tiny micro switch on the 12volt fuse board you select LA or LI. So Easy to choose. Haven't got a battery hooked up yet as I'm waiting for large cabling as I'm hooking up 800watts solar and 300AH Lithium battery to a 2000 watt inverter.


This stuff takes too long!! I can't wait to go camping !!
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2017 4runner SR5 with mods
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2020 FR Wolf Pup - 660watts Solar, 300AH LiFePO4, Inverter, WFCO-LIS converter, And many mods
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Old 08-03-2023, 04:15 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GoingNoWhereFast View Post
I'm impressed by a lot of the progressive dynamics stuff that fit into others compartments and interface pretty flawlessly. Price wise not too bad either.



I just changed my WFCO 8955 to a WFCO 8955 "LIS" by swapping out the main convertor MBA and the 12volt fuse board. It took better part of an hour but it's really easy and I'm pretty pleased. This is the first unit I have owned that has the little LED lights that tell you when something is wrong on the circuits. But this has a tiny micro switch on the 12volt fuse board you select LA or LI. So Easy to choose. Haven't got a battery hooked up yet as I'm waiting for large cabling as I'm hooking up 800watts solar and 300AH Lithium battery to a 2000 watt inverter.


This stuff takes too long!! I can't wait to go camping !!
Are you having someone make the cabling for you or are you just waiting for the wire itself so you can DIY.

If you are planning on adding connectors yourself I'd invest in a tool like this especially for wire sizes over #6 awg.

.

Tool gives great connections for high current apps and if you DIY your cables (welding wire, connectors, from Amazon, etc) the cost of the tool can easily be offset by the savings from having a shop make them up.

Also, DIY wires usually turn out just the right length where pre-made often come out too short or too long

Tool sells on Amazon for $49.99 and where I live I can have it tommorow (although I already own one)

PS: Yes, this tool is made in China but it's hard to tell the difference between it and the more expensive ones made here in the USA. Makes beautiful crimps on wire from #12 awg to 2/0 awg. They also offer another model that crimps up to 600MCM which is a little large for most RV applications but is only $76.99.

I like having my own "large wire crimper" so I'm not at the mercy of a local shop should I need a new wire right now.
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Old 08-03-2023, 07:08 PM   #4
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Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: Statesville, NC
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Ya, I'm making them myself and I am waiting for the connectors and tools to arrive. Not sure if its the same one but the order was over $100 for tool and connectors. And the worst part is It is taking 4 days to get that next day prime delivery.... Amazon lies !!


Rick
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GoingNoWhereFast
2017 4runner SR5 with mods
2008 Aliner Classic with Many Mods (in Rehab)
2020 FR Wolf Pup - 660watts Solar, 300AH LiFePO4, Inverter, WFCO-LIS converter, And many mods
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