Conv/charger
I currently have a wfco 55a. What would be a reasonable upgrade. I have 2 new dc batt and when plugged in it cycles from bulk to low quite often with very little load such as the furnace only. At nigh...
Forum Discussion
15 to 20 amps per battery is fine IMO. You don't gain much by going 30 to 40+.
Also PowerMax drops voltage as soon as it hits 14.6 volts as opposed to holding at 14.4 for four hours. The effect is the bigger the rating the lower the state of charge when it kicks down.
BFL13 has done some testing and you know he always is pushing max amps. I think in his case it was kicking down at about 72% charge. With a smaller unit the % will be higher when it steps down. 40% to 90% is still about 3 hours no matter what you shake at the batteries.
I tend to recommend the PowerMax as it appears to be easy direct bolt in and according to posts it is very reliable. IOTA or PD would also be excellent choices. Go big (60+ amps) on the PD as amps tend to sag as voltage rises. Maybe 45 to 55 amps with IOTA as it also kicks down 15 minutes after reaching 14.6 volts. Although IOTA drops to 14.2(not bad) as opposed to 13.6(slow) for the Boondocker.
Dangit they all seem to have issues.
I replaced my malfunctioning 55a WFCO with a Xantrex XADC-40 so it would run on a 1000w generator if needed. Worked fine but it did not really fit in the slot.
Eventually replaced with 35a WFCO MBA and that has worked fine. Preferred it to fit in the slot and no boondocker available at the time. Have not used the WFCO since installing solar.
That is my story, I am sticking to it. :B Other opinions are valid too. This works for me.
For the record I have 4x GC2 Costco specials.
Also PowerMax drops voltage as soon as it hits 14.6 volts as opposed to holding at 14.4 for four hours. The effect is the bigger the rating the lower the state of charge when it kicks down.
BFL13 has done some testing and you know he always is pushing max amps. I think in his case it was kicking down at about 72% charge. With a smaller unit the % will be higher when it steps down. 40% to 90% is still about 3 hours no matter what you shake at the batteries.
I tend to recommend the PowerMax as it appears to be easy direct bolt in and according to posts it is very reliable. IOTA or PD would also be excellent choices. Go big (60+ amps) on the PD as amps tend to sag as voltage rises. Maybe 45 to 55 amps with IOTA as it also kicks down 15 minutes after reaching 14.6 volts. Although IOTA drops to 14.2(not bad) as opposed to 13.6(slow) for the Boondocker.
Dangit they all seem to have issues.
I replaced my malfunctioning 55a WFCO with a Xantrex XADC-40 so it would run on a 1000w generator if needed. Worked fine but it did not really fit in the slot.
Eventually replaced with 35a WFCO MBA and that has worked fine. Preferred it to fit in the slot and no boondocker available at the time. Have not used the WFCO since installing solar.
That is my story, I am sticking to it. :B Other opinions are valid too. This works for me.
For the record I have 4x GC2 Costco specials.
