WF8955PEC vs WF8955-AD-MBA: Best Power Converter Upgrade Options

[wussowaj]

Any recommended changes to power converter from wf8955pec to wf8955-ad-mba. (company names with most complete unit). Thank you

 

[reidfo]

What recommendations are you looking for? The AD version of the converter is a drop-in replacement for the one you have. I replaced the same model, though I chose a Progressive Dynamics PD4655 converter instead of the WF-8955-AD. Just a personal choice.

The WFCO AD converter is known to *sometimes* not properly detect lithium batteries. It depends on the size and length of the cables to battery. I chose the PD4655 because it is lithium only and I didn't need to worry about auto detecting.

 

[wussowaj]

Thank you, I'm trying to uderstand the difference between the $100 & $300 8955AD/MBA. I was hoping for something that detects and changes automatically if needed.

 

[Aussieguy]

Some of the Wafco converters can have a jumper put onto some pins on the motherboard if it fails to auto detect lithium

I was able to get the AD to work
Go to their website and watch the video

You have to discharge the battery partially so it goes into full charging mode...
Once the battery that's been charged do it a second time.... discharge it partially and let it charge

On the second attempt it will go into lithium mode...
Their support video tells you the reasoning on why it can take 2 charge cycles

If ... it looses the setting you can get ahold of their support people to send you a jumper

If ... charge cycle returns to lead acid mode , it won't hurt anything
you can expect it to go back to lithium mode after the next 2 charges

 

[tomupnorth]

I was able to get the AD to work

I've read that the wires that FR installs from the WFCO battery output to the battery are inadequately-sized for some LiFePO4 batteries to get 100% efficiency out of them, such that one should really put a lithium-specific charger right at the batts. Have you heard this or can you opine about it?

 

[Aussieguy]

You can use a wire sizing chart to work out if your factory wiring is adequate

Since you did not install the wires you'll have to guesstimate the length they used

I'm betting most installs will have close to the required size

Connections to frame are another story... mine were very poorly made so it restricted the charging
Spend the time tracking down those negative to frame connection and ensure they allow max amps through

the connections and wiring was not the reason for AD could not to recognize a lithium
Wafco's tech support claim that their software looks at how the battery behaves when full.
Lithium batteries shut off the charging by switching it off....

lead acids can not switch off charging the amp draw is gradually reduced

 

[Aussieguy]

Further.... forgot to mention
If you are on shore power ... time is not important you are usually connected to 120v long enough to recharge the battery

BUT ... if you use generator to produce 120v fixing the wiring makes sense as you can shorten the amount of TIME you have to run the generator

Biggest benefit of going lithium is the amount of usable power you get from the battery.... you should at least see double your lead acid capacity

 

[Larry-NC]

Thank you, I'm trying to uderstand the difference between the $100 & $300 8955AD/MBA. I was hoping for something that detects and changes automatically if needed.

8955AD is a complete power center.
8955AD/MBA is the Main Board Assembly.

The former is the entire power center. Full of fuses and circuit breaker you DO NOT NEED TO CHANGE and RECONNECT.

The latter is all you need. It has only five wires to connect. You will be done in an hour. No need to change and reconnect all the fuse and circuit breaker wiring.