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Old 08-17-2018, 02:21 AM   #1
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WFCO Converter/Charger "Bulk Mode"

I've come to the conclusion my 2018 WFCO 8955 PEC Converter/Charger never has functioned under "Bulk Mode" (14.4Vdc)....., not good for an avid boondocker like myself.

My Trimetric battery monitor always shows 13.4Vdc - 13.6Vdc range with the WFCO, irregardless the depth-of-discharge on my two 6V deep cycle batteries and/or amp load. Takes forever to charge the batteries at this Vdc rate using my genny so I'm forced to use my smart Black/Decker battery charger that will give me a 14.4Vdc reading at the Trimetric.

On my prior Eagle I upgraded the OEM IOTA 2-stage converter/charger to a Progressive Dynamics converter/charger and always was able to see 14.4Vdc when needed.

Didn't take much 'searching' to see there many WFCO's owners experiencing similar results....., primary those that boondock. The vast majority of folks are connected to shore power so the mysterious WFCO "Bulk Mode" isn't an issue.

Time to look into a Progressive Dynamics upgrade again...., now have to decide between the 9200 Series (had in Eagle) or direct replacement 4600 Series

Bob
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Old 08-17-2018, 05:22 AM   #2
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I had a 9200 series added since my 2018 is under warranty and it was the least intrusive since I would have had to replace the entire WFCO 30 amp power center on my unit.

It also left me a backup if my 9200 series fails and allowed me to have it installed closest to my batteries using 4/0 cable from it to the batteries.
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Old 08-17-2018, 06:47 AM   #3
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Like many others i went down this road as well with my 2008 Starcraft RT14 OFF-ROAD POPUP camper. It originally had the ELIXIR IND ELX-30 30 AMP COnverter/Charger with 3 120VAC Circuit Breaker position and 4 12VDC ATC Fused zones positions. The Charger section only produced 13.6VDC.

All of the 12VDC zones used in my trailer all came to the back of this unit and was divided up among the four 12VDC ATC Fused positions using those large YELLOW twist -on connectors. This area behind my converter/charger was literally a RATS NEST of wiring haha...

My first project was to replace the ELIXIR ELX-30 unit with a more modern converter/charger setup and at the time the WFCO 8900 Series Power Distribution Center and WF-8945 45-AMpP smart mode multiple DC Voltage charging system was the very popular items to purchase.

It was a rather east thing to install the WF-8900 series Power Distribution Center as all of the wiring was already routed to this location. I only had to extend a couple of the wire groups etc... Took around two hours to get the new Power Distribution Panel in place of the removed ELX-30A setup. With the new WF8900 series Power Distribution panel I now have 5-full size 120VAC Circuit Breaker positions and 11 12VDC ATC Fused zones in addition to two REVERSE POLARITY 12VDC Fuse positions. This effort really cleaned my so called RATS NEST of wiring haha...

I also took this advantage to upgrade my 12VDC Batteries to four 4EA Interstate 85AH batteries installed across the tongue of my trailer... I used 4AWG size battery cables coming from the new WF-8900 Power Distribution center to feed a master Blue Sea Battery switch setup for my two 85AH Interstate batteries. This switch allowed me to be totally disconnected OFF from the 12VDC system or have BAT1 or BAT2 or Both Batteries Selected.

Right away I found the new WF8945 converter/charger would never go into the Bulk Charge mode... I did everything i could think to try to figure out the problem with no avail. Within a months time of using this setup I ended up boiling out the battery fluids of one of my 85AH Interstates from seeing the only the 13.6VDC constantly. After this of course i started checking my batteries more closely...

I eventually abandoned the WF-8945 in place and added a new PD-9260C Converter/charger to my setup. This is a stand-alone Charger moved down the Battery cable route and installed on the inside wall of my RT14 camper as close to the battery bank master Blue Sea Switch as I could get and still be inside my trailer for weather protection. It is roughly 5-6 feet away from the Blue Sea Switch mounted near my batteries. After doing this I also then decided to go with four 85AH Interstate 12V batteries across the front of my trailer. I had previously planned on having four 85AH batteries but after losing one I only installed three of the batteries that fit rather well in the welded on angle strips.

This photo shows the end result here...

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My drawing supporting my planned four 85AH Interstate batteries is shown here...

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I did good with this setup installed in early 2009 and my Interstate batteries performance was outstanding using the PD-9260C smart mode charging. They all finally gave up the ghost around 2015 when I sort of parked my trailer and it has been sitting in my driveway ever since.

Just recently I finally purchased replacement batteries and plan on getting these install this camping season. My supporting drawing for the new GC2 batteries looks like this...


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The only difference being I could not afford the Trojan T105 and purchased DURACELL SLIGC110 215AH 6V GC2 GOLF12 batteries instead from local Batteries Plus store here in the area.

Roy Ken
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Old 08-17-2018, 06:48 PM   #4
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Quote:
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I had a 9200 series added since my 2018 is under warranty......snip
I'm leaning the same way, still have 14 months of warranty remaining.

I have to start looking more closely for a possible mounting location of a 9200 Series and cable/wire routing.

Bob
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Old 08-17-2018, 07:21 PM   #5
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The IOTA and WFCO are low class and function very poorly, I always recommend to get the high quality Progressive Product which has also good service. Having a top quality converter saves batteries.
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Old 08-17-2018, 09:35 PM   #6
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I installed a PD4655TV in place of the old WFCO unit, and I did it with over a year of warranty left. I didn't care.

I wanted the junk out. I know it goes into all three phases now, due to the meter.
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Old 08-17-2018, 09:39 PM   #7
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I used the direct replacement PD4655TV model. Dropped it in and used the installed electrical distribution board. I have the old WFCO in the trailer to use in an emergency.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OregonPerson View Post
I had a 9200 series added since my 2018 is under warranty and it was the least intrusive since I would have had to replace the entire WFCO 30 amp power center on my unit.

It also left me a backup if my 9200 series fails and allowed me to have it installed closest to my batteries using 4/0 cable from it to the batteries.
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Old 08-18-2018, 05:30 AM   #8
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I used the direct replacement PD4655TV model. Dropped it in and used the installed electrical distribution board. I have the old WFCO in the trailer to use in an emergency.
X2. But I keep my old WFCO in the garage. If I sell this camper I’ll take my PD board out and replace it with the WFCO.
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Old 08-23-2018, 07:23 AM   #9
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Pulled the trigger today on a PD4655VL 55 Amp Converter/Charger (replacement upgrade) w/Remote Pendent from Best Converter.

http://www.bestconverter.com/4600-se...its_c_133.html

Bob
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Old 08-23-2018, 12:59 PM   #10
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I believe you will be happy with this set up.

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Pulled the trigger today on a PD4655VL 55 Amp Converter/Charger (replacement upgrade) w/Remote Pendent from Best Converter.

4600 series Upgrade Kits

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Old 08-23-2018, 01:46 PM   #11
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Atlee,

I was pleased with the PD 9200 series performance in my prior Eagle (replaced the IOTA), don't expect anything different with the PD 4600 series.

My prior Eagle PD installation was located twice the distance from the same battery bank then my present Jay Flight's converter/charger location..., thus my decision to go with the PD 4600 series unit.

Bob
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Old 08-23-2018, 06:28 PM   #12
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Question for those of you that have installed a PD 4600 series replacement converter/charger:

Do I need to have any additional cable/wire, and/or connectors on hand for the install?

Thanks.....

Bob
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Old 08-24-2018, 01:37 AM   #13
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You should need nothing. I didn't.

IIRC, it should only be 5 wires that need to be hooked up. Just remember when you remove the old wires, that you put the corresponding new wires in the same place.

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Question for those of you that have installed a PD 4600 series replacement converter/charger:

Do I need to have any additional cable/wire, and/or connectors on hand for the install?

Thanks.....

Bob
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Old 08-25-2018, 10:33 PM   #14
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Question for those of you that have installed a PD 4600 series replacement converter/charger:

Do I need to have any additional cable/wire, and/or connectors on hand for the install?

Thanks.....

Bob

Nope, didn't need anything extra.

Had to "pop" the fuse board out of its clips to get the wires in to the DC connections a little easier.

I'll leave this right here... https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ade-58735.html

A couple of additional notes after 3 weeks of boondocking... even with the PD upgrade, the PD won't typically go in to Boost (Bulk) mode (14.4V) automatically, I have to override it with the Wizard button. So, while not automagic, at least I can force it to put out. I can get >40A out of it when I first fire up the generator.

Pretty sure this is still a voltage drop issue to the batteries (not switching to Bulk). So, the next step will be to pull out the converter housing completely and run another #6 hot up front, and also check and/or double up the #6 ground to the frame.

Also thinking about beefing up the DC leads on the PD while I have it all apart. And, might see if I can bump the voltage up to 14.8 while I am at it.
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Old 08-25-2018, 11:16 PM   #15
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Interesting about the Boost (Bulk) mode. Mine has voluntarily gone into Boost mode numerous times.

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Nope, didn't need anything extra.

Had to "pop" the fuse board out of its clips to get the wires in to the DC connections a little easier.

I'll leave this right here... https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ade-58735.html

A couple of additional notes after 3 weeks of boondocking... even with the PD upgrade, the PD won't typically go in to Boost (Bulk) mode (14.4V) automatically, I have to override it with the Wizard button. So, while not automagic, at least I can force it to put out. I can get >40A out of it when I first fire up the generator.

Pretty sure this is still a voltage drop issue to the batteries (not switching to Bulk). So, the next step will be to pull out the converter housing completely and run another #6 hot up front, and also check and/or double up the #6 ground to the frame.

Also thinking about beefing up the DC leads on the PD while I have it all apart. And, might see if I can bump the voltage up to 14.8 while I am at it.
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Old 08-26-2018, 06:29 AM   #16
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I left my WFCO WF8956 45A model in place and just turned off the 120VAC Circuit Breaker for it. All still wired up...

Then I installed my newly purchased PD9260C further down the 12VDC Battery cable line and installed the new Converter/charger just inside my trailer box closes to the battery bank main switch. My PD9260C is on its own 120VAC Circuit breaker in the 120VAC Distribution Panel. I can turn this circuit breaker OFF and turn ON the 120VAC circuit breaker for the WF8900 converter/charge if ever needed...

I also installed 4AWG CABLES between the 12VDC Power Distribution and the Battery Bank MAIN switch...

You will want the IN-LINE Battery fuse rated at the same DC CURRENT coming from the converter/charger unit. The purpose of this fuse is to protect the battery cable from catching fire if there is a short circuit to frame ground near the converter/charger DC OUTPUT connectors...

This is a diagram of what I finally ended up with back in 2009 for my Battery setup back then...


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Old 09-07-2018, 01:10 PM   #17
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Pulled the trigger on a Progressive Dynamics Up-grade Converter/Charger and installed it today. With a pre-charged battery (100%) the new PD Converter/Charger provided me with 14.1 Vdc - 14.2 Vdc at the battery......., mission accomplished.



Easy R&R (1 hour) with the PD 4655L MBA Wildkat 55 Amp from Best Converter is all one needs:

PD 4655L MBA WildKat 55 Amp Main Board Assembly for WFCO 8955 or Parallax 7155 (Includes 4600 Remote)

Bob
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Old 02-20-2019, 06:24 PM   #18
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Pulled the trigger on a Progressive Dynamics Up-grade Converter/Charger and installed it today. With a pre-charged battery (100%) the new PD Converter/Charger provided me with 14.1 Vdc - 14.2 Vdc at the battery......., mission accomplished.

Bob
I am only a month into the warranty and not going to make this change for a while, but curious for recommendation here. Given that my original group 24 battery only gives me about 6 hours with the fridge running, is it possible that it is not getting a full charge? I have charged as long as 48 h @ 13.6, which switches to 13.2 V at some point in the process. I assume this means "fully charged", but not sure how my WFCO decides this.

So, 2 questions:

1. Should I use a plug in charger before dry camping to get a full charge, or will the WFCO give me a full (albiet slower) charge at 13.6 V??

2. I am shopping now for a battery upgrade, likely 2x6 V. Should I be shopping for an AGM or will the WFCO not do what it needs to? I know that WFCO says, "yes, AGM works with this 3 stage charger", but ... will it?? I would rather have a maintenance free battery as I am new to trailering--one less thing to think about. But is the WFCO going to prevent me from having a good, multi-day dry camping experience? (I will recharge with solar, but won't be a full charge, so I need a good starting point when I leave the driveway.)

Any help is appreciated!!
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Old 02-20-2019, 08:28 PM   #19
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Welcome to the forum.

Question #1 YES! Plug it in! The WFCO will get it to full charge slowly.
I keep my WFCO plugged in 24/7. Mytwo, 12v batteries are always fully charged with virtually no water loss.

Question #2 ".... is the WFCO going to prevent me from having a good, multi-day dry camping experience?" IMO, YES, IFF (if and only if) you use a generator and charge through the WFCO because the generator will have to run for a LONG time.

I'm sure you will hear from one to two 12v gurus. Your question #2 has some other points to discuss.
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Old 02-20-2019, 09:56 PM   #20
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snip......Question #1 YES! Plug it in! The WFCO will get it to full charge slowly.......snip
I would agree.

Quote:
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Question #2 ".... snip.... IMO, YES, IFF (if and only if) you use a generator and charge through the WFCO because the generator will have to run for a LONG time.....snip
I also agree...., because I never could get the WFCO to charge at "Bulk Mode" (14.4Vdc). This condition wasn't a deal-breaker for me because the majority of the time I used my Black/Decker smart charger (capable of 14.4Vdc) connected directly to the battery bank (by-passed WFCO) and plugged into the genny.

Since I upgraded to the Progressive Dynamics converter/charger now I can connect the TT's 30amp cord directly to the genny when needed (microwave, A/C, etc.) and be charging the battery bank at 14.2Vdc.

Bob
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