We are in our 3rd fifth wheel now and have boondocked some. New to us 2016 KZ Durango does not have an onboard generator. Plan to get a 2000-2500 watt portable generator. KZ has only one battery and a WFCO 9865 3 stage converter (I've seen it in 13.6v stage and 13.2 stage haven't had battery down enough to see 14.4 yet). We don't use much electricity. Main draw would be furnace over night set at 65 and may stay out about 5 days. We normally run generator about 1 hour in the morning and 2 hours in the evening (watching a movie). We need a new battery. Of these choices A.) Two 6V GC2, B.) One large 12V deep cycle, C.) ONE AGM - which works best? I'm considering which choice will charge sufficiently in three hours per day to keep us going and not damage batteries from undercharging. Have also considered taking a regular battery charger along to plug into the genny.

WFCO don't have a good reputation (except it's cheap) and you may never see 14V+. Most 12V deep cycle batteries are marine and usually just a slightly modified starting battery. Is the 12V AGM a deep cycle battery? They are rather expensive. Buy true deep cycle batteries only, they last longer and have more AH. GC2s have about 220 Ah or 110 Ah at 50% SOC.There are many posts of WFCO, AGM and GC2 that you can search. Also in the archives. Recommend you dump the WFCO and get a good 3 stage charger to match the new batteries for better and quicker charging.

Plus you may need to up size the wires between the converter and the batteries.

I agree to dump the WFCO. I have had two TT's with WFCO converters and neither of them would kick into the 14.4 Volt rapid charge mode. One of them stayed at 13.6 volts all of the time. I switched to Progressive Dynamics and am very happy.I switched to 6 gauge wires between the converter and the battery. I added a dedicated ground wire because the TT only had a small ground that went to the frame, I wanted my 6 gauge wire run straight through. My PD converter only puts out 45 amps so I did not feel the need for 4 gauge wire.

If you need a new battery, camp in the cold, and have room for only one battery, consider using an SiO2.

Battery charging question. | Good Sam Community

pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 14, 2021
If you need a new battery, camp in the cold, and have room for only one battery, consider using an SiO2.
BarabooBob
Explorer III
Feb 13, 2021
I agree to dump the WFCO. I have had two TT's with WFCO converters and neither of them would kick into the 14.4 Volt rapid charge mode. One of them stayed at 13.6 volts all of the time. I switched to Progressive Dynamics and am very happy.
I switched to 6 gauge wires between the converter and the battery. I added a dedicated ground wire because the TT only had a small ground that went to the frame, I wanted my 6 gauge wire run straight through. My PD converter only puts out 45 amps so I did not feel the need for 4 gauge wire.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Feb 13, 2021
Plus you may need to up size the wires between the converter and the batteries.
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 13, 2021
+1 on all that.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Feb 13, 2021
WFCO don't have a good reputation (except it's cheap) and you may never see 14V+. Most 12V deep cycle batteries are marine and usually just a slightly modified starting battery. Is the 12V AGM a deep cycle battery? They are rather expensive. Buy true deep cycle batteries only, they last longer and have more AH. GC2s have about 220 Ah or 110 Ah at 50% SOC.

There are many posts of WFCO, AGM and GC2 that you can search. Also in the archives.

Recommend you dump the WFCO and get a good 3 stage charger to match the new batteries for better and quicker charging.

Forum Discussion

Battery charging question.

About DIY Maintenance

Related Content

Battery charging question.

chassis battery charge ?

Charging House Batteries

Lithium Battery Charging System

House Battery charging