Power Center/Converter 101
I prefer to boondock - A LOT. I have a 2015 Fun Finder 189FDS (it's 30A). I have a Honda eu1000i generator. Current trailer has a WFCO 8955PEC Power Center (I have no idea what the PEC means becau...
Forum Discussion
Hi Mitch,
Don't mix your 12 volt with your 120 volt.
Your rv is 30 SHORE power. That has little to do with the converter which is 55 amps @ 12 volts DC.
The reason the current converter doesn't 'do the job well' is because modern converters are three stage. Initially they may provide high amperage to get energy back into the battery bank fast. The WFCO is a lazy bugger and never 'gets' to boost charging, so it is not preferred for generator charging.
Changing to a smaller amperage converter doesn't make a lot of sense, especially if you want to charge rapidly. If you have a 55 amp WFCO then look at a 55 amp replacement (PD or Boondocker or IOTA).
You can't go much bigger than 55 amp unless new thicker wire is installed--but probably 60 amps would work and be safe.
Since you have a SMALL generator the converter will need to have a good power factor. I know the PD 60 amp is 0.7 (not good). So it is probably not going to run on the current generator.
The Iota DLS-55/IQ4 55 amp draws 750 watts--so it probably will run on the existing generator. I don't know the power factor on the IOTA
Once you are at 85% state of charge the converter will drop down to a lower rate of charge. The maximum amps per 100 amp-hours of storage is about 12.5. At 90% state of charge that becomes even less. So folks don't attempt to recharge fully when using a generator.
If you boondock lots then it makes a lot of sense to consider a solar system. That and shore power are the only sane ways to get to 100% state of charge.
If I stay away from using my inverter, I have all the power I need to boondock. I run out of black water storage before I run out of anything else.
Don't mix your 12 volt with your 120 volt.
Your rv is 30 SHORE power. That has little to do with the converter which is 55 amps @ 12 volts DC.
The reason the current converter doesn't 'do the job well' is because modern converters are three stage. Initially they may provide high amperage to get energy back into the battery bank fast. The WFCO is a lazy bugger and never 'gets' to boost charging, so it is not preferred for generator charging.
Changing to a smaller amperage converter doesn't make a lot of sense, especially if you want to charge rapidly. If you have a 55 amp WFCO then look at a 55 amp replacement (PD or Boondocker or IOTA).
You can't go much bigger than 55 amp unless new thicker wire is installed--but probably 60 amps would work and be safe.
Since you have a SMALL generator the converter will need to have a good power factor. I know the PD 60 amp is 0.7 (not good). So it is probably not going to run on the current generator.
The Iota DLS-55/IQ4 55 amp draws 750 watts--so it probably will run on the existing generator. I don't know the power factor on the IOTA
Once you are at 85% state of charge the converter will drop down to a lower rate of charge. The maximum amps per 100 amp-hours of storage is about 12.5. At 90% state of charge that becomes even less. So folks don't attempt to recharge fully when using a generator.
If you boondock lots then it makes a lot of sense to consider a solar system. That and shore power are the only sane ways to get to 100% state of charge.
If I stay away from using my inverter, I have all the power I need to boondock. I run out of black water storage before I run out of anything else.
mitch5252 wrote:
I prefer to boondock - A LOT. I have a 2015 Fun Finder 189FDS (it's 30A). I have a Honda eu1000i generator.
Current trailer has a WFCO 8955PEC Power Center (I have no idea what the PEC means because I'm looking for the physical dimensions and can't find the PEC version.)
From what I have read in the past, this WFCO is not a very "good" converter; I do not know what "good" means - is "not efficient" a correct description? It does its job, I guess, but maybe something else would put the generator to better/more efficient use while boondocking?
Questions:
1) What, if any, would be the benefit(s) of changing the WFCO for a Progressive Dynamics converter?
2) Could my little trailer use a 35A PD converter, instead of the current 55A? I don't understand why it's a 55A converter in a 30A trailer. I'm guessing it's because CruiserRV buys them in bulk.
3) Would a 35A converter charge the battery "better/more efficiently" using the generator than does the 55A WFCO?
4) Do you think a PD would fit in current opening without major overhaul?
5) IF I made the change to a smaller amp converter, would the wires be appropriate?
I don't know if I've used all the proper terminology in this post, but maybe try to keep your replies simple, yet informative, for this electric/electronic new person...pretend you are talking to an inquisitive child. ;)
(Why, because of you all here, I learned earlier today how to disconnect the .5A hour heating thing in the seals on my new Dometic fridge! Think of all the people you guys help with patiently sharing your experience and knowledge).
There - was that a proper sucking-up? :)
