Batteries or Converter-Charger

That bright-dim cycling is the classic symptom of a dying converter, especially if the battery is known to be good.

Get a new converter. And not another WFCO.

http://www.bestconverter.com/PowerMax-PM4B-60-60-Amp-4-Stage-ConverterCharger_p_413.html#.UwV7weDTmUk

ScottG, That's what I was afraid of. smkettner, funny that's what I was looking at after posting. Guess I will order one. After I replaced my WFCO three years ago I read about them not being the desired one to get. Will replace with the one you linked to.

Thanks
Mark Brown

Don't feel bad Mark, I did the same thing about a dozen years ago. I replaced a failed converter with a lousy "upgrade" of the same brand. Then I found out I could have gotten a really good converter for another $25. Oh well, you live and learn!

smkettner wrote:
Get a new converter. And not another WFCO.

http://www.bestconverter.com/PowerMax-PM4B-60-60-Amp-4-Stage-ConverterCharger_p_413.html#.UwV7weDTmUk

X2

The link above is for the deck mount version, which can be located anywhere, such as close to the batteries. It might fit in place of the existing WFCO "lower portion" They also make a replacement lower portion if you want that to go there. Not sure about 98s vs 89s for that, Randy at bestconverter would know.

http://www.bestconverter.com/Boondocker-Main-Board-Assembly-for-WFCO-8955_c_196.html

There is another option too, same idea but using a PD

https://bestconverter.3dcartstores.com/PD4655-55-Amp-Converter-Upgrade-Section_p_352.html#.UwWMbGeYZjo

mena661 wrote:

smkettner wrote:
Get a new converter. And not another WFCO.

http://www.bestconverter.com/PowerMax-PM4B-60-60-Amp-4-Stage-ConverterCharger_p_413.html#.UwV7weDTmUk

X2

At the risk of sounding repetitive..........x3

My OEM Parallax deck-mounted converter died a similar death. The PowerMax was worth the $$.

45 ACP wrote:

mena661 wrote:

smkettner wrote:
Get a new converter. And not another WFCO.

http://www.bestconverter.com/PowerMax-PM4B-60-60-Amp-4-Stage-ConverterCharger_p_413.html#.UwV7weDTmUk

X2

At the risk of sounding repetitive..........x3

My OEM Parallax deck-mounted converter died a similar death. The PowerMax was worth the $$.

I replaced my obsolete Atwood single stage converter/charger with the Power Max Boondocker. Still kicking my rear for not doing it sooner.

I did the same thing with my WFCO 8900 series unit. I was going to just replace the converter/charger section with a PD9260C but after receiving the PD unit I decided to just mount it closer to the battery bank on an inside wall and keep the WFCO 8900 series 120VAC and 12VDC distribution unit in place. This way I didnt have to re-wire anything...

I am quite happy with the WFCO Power Distribution Panel. No need to change all of that out - would be lots of rewiring involved for me...

My WFCO 8945 COnverter/charger was still OK and worked just fine but there wasn't anything I could to get it to go into the smart charging mode. I keep it as a backup and just keep it turned OFF with it own dedicated 120VAC circuit breaker. I installed a new circuit breaker to control my PD 9260C converter/charger.

My setup looks like this drawing with my current installed three GP24 Interstate batteries in place. I just installed the PD9260C unit between the WF8945 converter/charger and the battery bank switches.


My converter/charger unit I purchased had the dual battery POS(+) and NEG(-) connections on it allowing me to do this.


Since your WF8955 may be bad you may want to to just remove the WF8955 converter chassis and put a new PD9260C or another well known brand that would fit in the same compartment but keep the WFCO 8900series power distibution box to keep from having to rewire all of the 120VAC and 12VDC circuits.

The point here is you dont have to replace the existing distribution panel only the converter/charger chassis and it can be mounted in the bottom compartment of the existing WFCO unit or mounted in a different location closer to your battery bank..

I know you stated you tested your battery but this symptom described could also be a shorted cell in your battery bank. This is identified right away with one cell fluids being boiled out and the battery case real warm/hot to touch. i.e. the shorted cell in the battery loads down your existing converter/charger diming your lights etc when it arcs over inside the battery case... You need to at least inspect the fluid levels in the battery along with the load test you performed.

food for thought only...
Roy Ken

WFFCO's made in china boxes (And they are ALL Made in china) have a rep for failure, rather quick failures.

Progressive Industries Intell-power 9200's are made in the USA and have a very good rep.. As does their entire line,, Plus in doing lots and lots of research when I got my RV (PDI Intella-Power 9280 with optional charge wizard) I found that for flooded wet cells, beating a PDI Charge wizard controlled converter is very simply not possible. Some come close enough to be called "Just as good", but non better.