6 days boondock, worried about the WFCO converter
Hi Folks,
What a two years it has been reading this forum! Thanks to all for the excellent advice I have received in that time. So to start, here is my situation:
This Tuesday will begin 6 days boondocking at a bluegrass fest in Vt. In the 5th wheel, I have rigged 2 Marine 12v Exides ( I know! but they're cheap ) permanently in the basement. I have my trusty digital voltmeter for my readings. New Champion 2000watt inverter gen is arriving tomorrow.
Energy draws should be something like this:
1. RV lights (incandescents) used lightly
2. Water pump for dishes, showers, etc
3. fridge on propane
4. 300 watt inverter for a small LCD tv a few hours a day
5. Usual phantom draws from CO detector, etc
RV has WFCO 55 amp converter. I have a Schumacher 20 amp 3 stage.
I will probably run both bats down to 50 percent every day or so. I of course, want to charge quickly, with as little gen time as possible. I did a test at home, running the bats down to about 60 percent, plugged into house, and only read 13.5 or so at the battery from the converter. Obviously not the 14. 4(?) required for bulk. The Schumacher otoh, did read 15V and climbing a few minutes in.
I am assuming the 20 amp Schumacher will be quicker then the WFCO. But can anyone guess how much? Also, the owners manual for the WFCO states that the converter only goes to bulk when bat capacity is below 50%. Is this why the PD converters have the ability to manually choose modes?
6v gc bats and a better converter are probably in my future ( along with bigger gauge wire, UGH) but not this year.
Any advice greatly appreciated
Larry
What a two years it has been reading this forum! Thanks to all for the excellent advice I have received in that time. So to start, here is my situation:
This Tuesday will begin 6 days boondocking at a bluegrass fest in Vt. In the 5th wheel, I have rigged 2 Marine 12v Exides ( I know! but they're cheap ) permanently in the basement. I have my trusty digital voltmeter for my readings. New Champion 2000watt inverter gen is arriving tomorrow.
Energy draws should be something like this:
1. RV lights (incandescents) used lightly
2. Water pump for dishes, showers, etc
3. fridge on propane
4. 300 watt inverter for a small LCD tv a few hours a day
5. Usual phantom draws from CO detector, etc
RV has WFCO 55 amp converter. I have a Schumacher 20 amp 3 stage.
I will probably run both bats down to 50 percent every day or so. I of course, want to charge quickly, with as little gen time as possible. I did a test at home, running the bats down to about 60 percent, plugged into house, and only read 13.5 or so at the battery from the converter. Obviously not the 14. 4(?) required for bulk. The Schumacher otoh, did read 15V and climbing a few minutes in.
I am assuming the 20 amp Schumacher will be quicker then the WFCO. But can anyone guess how much? Also, the owners manual for the WFCO states that the converter only goes to bulk when bat capacity is below 50%. Is this why the PD converters have the ability to manually choose modes?
6v gc bats and a better converter are probably in my future ( along with bigger gauge wire, UGH) but not this year.
Any advice greatly appreciated
Larry
