I have a WFCO Ultra III (WF-8955) converter that requires 950W of input. I'm surprised it takes that much power to run, but maybe I'm missing something. Apparantly a 1000W generator won't provide enough power, which makes sense, because they're rated 900W. I have a Yamaha 2000W generator, but I like the idea of using a 1000W generator, because they're nearly 20 pounds lighter, less DBA and run longer on a tank.I understand the converter can be switched out for one that requires less power. What's your recommendation, and what would you expect to pay someone to switch it out? What's the downside of a smaller converter? I'm a DIY type, but when it comes to power I run the other way. Thank you.

ZZSPIRAL1 wrote:What's the downside of a smaller converter? .Longer charge times.

The converter has a power factor of about 0.7, so that 950w input will pull about 1357VA from the gen continuous. That is nearly the continuous rating of the "2000w" gen.If you get a small enough (low amp instead of 55amp) charger to run on the "1000w" gen, the amps will be so low it will take forever to charge the battery bank.IMO don't even think about getting a 1000w gen for running a battery charger. It will have to run so long to get the batteries up, you might as well just stay on the gen all day and not run the batteries down in the first place :)

BFL13 wrote:The converter has a power factor of about 0.7, so that 950w input will pull about 1357VA from the gen continuous. That is nearly the continuous rating of the "2000w" gen.If you get a small enough (low amp instead of 55amp) charger to run on the "1000w" gen, the amps will be so low it will take forever to charge the battery bank.IMO don't even think about getting a 1000w gen for running a battery charger. It will have to run so long to get the batteries up, you might as well just stay on the gen all day and not run the batteries down in the first place :)I was thinking about adding a 100 W solar panel.

A 100w panel will do maybe 6amps mid-day, less earlier and later. 6 amps is two double lamps worth of Rv use--ie not a whole lot. It will certainly help (when the sun is out and you are in the open), but it is not a game changer between a 1000w and a 2000w gen IMO.If you have a mix of gen/charger and solar, the idea is to do a fast charge with the gen in the morning and let the solar do the rest all day at its low amps before you hit the batts from supper through movies till bedtime and maybe some furnace at night.That means the 2000w gen and a high amp charger for the short time gen part. It makes no sense to have a long low amp gen run and then a short period of solar at even lower amps.

BFL13 wrote:A 100w panel will do maybe 6amps mid-day, less earlier and later. 6 amps is two double lamps worth of Rv use--ie not a whole lot. It will certainly help (when the sun is out and you are in the open), but it is not a game changer between a 1000w and a 2000w gen IMO.If you have a mix of gen/charger and solar, the idea is to do a fast charge with the gen in the morning and let the solar do the rest all day at its low amps before you hit the batts from supper through movies till bedtime and maybe some furnace at night.That means the 2000w gen and a high amp charger for the short time gen part. It makes no sense to have a long low amp gen run and then a short period of solar at even lower amps.Okay, thank you.

Converters and generators | Good Sam Community

BFL13
Explorer II
Oct 24, 2013
I have to let the Honda 3000 warm up a bit first too if it is to start off with a big load in eco
MrWizard
Moderator
Oct 24, 2013
i don't understand why people can't do a no load 2 minute warm up ECON off,
plug in the load, then switch Econ on

its lot easier on the genset, there is little noise in a NO LOAD warm up,
and the genset takes the load so much easier with econ OFF, then throttle down to econ mode
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 24, 2013
BFL13.. do you start with all plugged in? I would think you just plug in the four chargers at about 5 second intervals and be fine.
BFL13
Explorer II
Oct 24, 2013
Mr Wiz is right about gen starting procedure. I forget sometimes with all the other set-up things I do then. I do have a sequence for starting the chargers, so the lower voltage one(s) get running first. (except if it is the converter, which goes on last) --if I remember to do that right :(
NinerBikes
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
MrWizard wrote:
i don't understand why people can't do a no load 2 minute warm up ECON off,
plug in the load, then switch Econ on

its lot easier on the genset, there is little noise in a NO LOAD warm up,
and the genset takes the load so much easier with econ OFF, then throttle down to econ mode

I would agree with not having it in Eco mode when you plug in, but you do want the motor to warm up at lower rpm's, until the tolerances between the piston and bore are taken up by the expansion factor of heat on the piston and lessened piston slap, when the motor is cold. Running a motor faster, at higher rpm, when it is cold and not warmed up is not good, you get more contaminants from blow by in the motor oil. Once warmed up, and you can know it just by putting your hand on the fan exhaust side and feel heat coming off the motor, take it out of Eco mode,plug in, then reinstate eco mode and call it good. Then you can hope your "bulk" charge mode is working, if you have a WFCO 8955, like me.
pnichols
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2013
Since the 1000/2000 Hondas will be near 59 dB loudness when warming up out of Eco mode and only around 53 dB loudness when warming up in Eco mode, it may be more camping-friendly to use Eco mode warmups.
pkunk
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
I don't understand why no one has recommended the Powermax Boondocker converter charger. They readily go into boost, are a 4 stage charger, and the 35 amp would likely run on the 1000w genset
mena661
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
pkunk wrote:
I don't understand why no one has recommended the Powermax Boondocker converter charger. They readily go into boost, are a 4 stage charger, and the 35 amp would likely run on the 1000w genset
BFL has one and he and smk recommend them quite often.
pnichols
Explorer II
Nov 03, 2013
Note that Powermax converter/chargers do not have PFC (power factor correction) circuitry.

To run absolutely the highest amperage converter/charger possible on a 1000 VA ("watt") generator, PFC in the converter/charger would be helpful. Perhaps one could fully power even a 45 amp converter/charger with that size generator if the converter/charger came with PFC.
mena661
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
pnichols wrote:
Note that Powermax converter/chargers do not have PFC (power factor correction) circuitry.
The Powermax Boondocker series do. They're deckmount converters not the drop in replacements though.

http://www.bestconverter.com/PowerMax-Boondocker-Converters-_c_154.html

Forum Discussion

Converters and generators

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Generator noise reduction

Generator operation

80 amp converter and eu2000i

Converting Honda generator to propane

Can i replace a 55amp converter with a 35amp converter in motorhome if i only use it a few times a y