Hi everyone, new to posting here. Hoping to get some input on what I am thinking of.We have a newer (<1 year) RV and while the converter in my WFCO 8955 "works" it only charges in the float 13.2v state.From the factory, the converter's 12v side is wired to the DC distribution board: white to the shared negative lug, and red to the dual fused positive lug.If I replace and wire the new converter in the same fashion, the positive side run is an easy 15 feet to the battery, via another compartment where it is tied into the generator and engine alternator first.However the power center is physically only 2-3 feet from the battery compartment.Is there any reason I couldn't just replace the old converter and instead of wiring to the 12v distribution board as before, wire the converter directly to the batteries? This would power the 12v side of the RV through the batteries instead of directly to/through the board.I currently have the two factory 12v batteries, and will eventually replace with two or maybe four 6v batteries. Given this I'm thinking of the PD9670 for increased output, over the 4655 which seems to be a common replacement.The 15 feet mentioned above to the batteries is only 6awg, so if I push more amps while charging, it will be a heck of a lot easier and cheaper for a 3-5 foot run of 2 or 4awg than 15 feet.Thanks guys!Edit, sorry I had searched on this topic but could not find much. Hope I didn't miss anything obvious.

Also being that the Progressive Dynamics 4600 series converters appear to be made as a drop in replacement for the WFCO and others, can anyone speak to the fact that the 9200 series will fit or not in the lower portion of the WFCO 8955? Or will it have to be surface mounted somewhere outside of the power center?

This is what I did for a similar WFCO 8900 Series Power Distribution center with a WF8945 Converter/charge module in the bottom compartment.Both the WF8945 and the PD9260C converter/chargers are in working order and I just simply flip the 120VAC circuit breaker for the one I want to use. I have never run both of them at the same time...My WF8945 unit was new so I didn't have the guts to yank it out and just replace it with the PD9260C which was my original thought of doing.I instead installed the PD9260C about 5-feet away from my Battery Bank main switch where the WFCO 8900 series Power Distribution panel and WF8945 converter/charger unit is some 17-feet away.I used 4AWG cable from the DC OUT connection from the WF8900 series connection. Note the PD9260C has dual DC connections on it panel so it was easy to daisy chain connections as shown in the drawing...I normally run the PD9260C all the the time but do have the WF-8945 unit as a new back-up if needed...Been setup this way since early 2009 with no problems having both converter/chargers installed...Some folks would rather both POSITIVE and NEGATIVE DC battery cables the whole distance but I elected to to rub POSITIVE cables. My NEGATIVE DC connections all go to a single FRAME GROUND point.Roy Ken

Hi,I'd do an end run and install a modest solar system. Cost for parts is under $2 per watt. Here is a place to look for panels at $1 per watt:http://www.wholesalesolar.com/solar-panels

There's no problem with wiring the converter directly to the battery rather than through the DC panel. Many RVs have that sort of a setup. You should of course have a suitable fuse at the battery connection to protect the wire between the converter and the battery, as for any connection to the battery (that's longer than a few inches, at least).One slight difference you may note is that, with the converter wired to the battery rather than the DC panel, you will have battery charging but not house DC power when plugged in with the battery disconnect switched off, rather than having house DC power from the converter but no battery charging under the same circumstances with it wired to the DC distribution panel. In practice, I don't see where it really makes much difference; if you're plugged into shore power, there's no great reason to disconnect the battery with the disconnect switch anyway, especially with a modern multistage converter.I think the 9200 series converters probably won't fit in the space in your existing panel and will need to be deck mounted externally somewhere. You'd have to check the specifications and measure your chassis to tell for sure.

Quote:Is there any reason I couldn't just replace the old converter and instead of wiring to the 12v distribution board as before, wire the converter directly to the batteries? This would power the 12v side of the RV through the batteries instead of directly to/through the board.-----------------------------------------------------No reason. That's the way it should have been done from the factory.

Progressive Dynamics converter location | Good Sam Community

ryanPSD
Explorer
Apr 06, 2016
Thank you everyone, and Drew, that was what I was looking for. Didn't think about that with the disconnect, but I don't see it being any real issue.

I will measure tonight against the specs of the 9270 to make sure it can fit in the bottom of my WFCO power center.

I am just now torn between 2awg and 4awg. For such a short run I am thinking the minimal extra cost and work would be worth the (albeit small) gain in less voltage drop for charging. Does anyone know if 2awg will fit the lugs on the PD units?
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 06, 2016
I would keep the converter in the WFCO slot and pull #4 wire to the battery.
http://www.genuinedealz.com/marine-wire/marine-battery-cable?cat=39

9145/9245 are a different shape and have the fitment issues. 9260 should be fine. Check dimensions on 9270 & 9280 before you click and buy.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Apr 06, 2016
Quote:
Is there any reason I couldn't just replace the old converter and instead of wiring to the 12v distribution board as before, wire the converter directly to the batteries? This would power the 12v side of the RV through the batteries instead of directly to/through the board.
-----------------------------------------------------
No reason. That's the way it should have been done from the factory.
DrewE
Explorer II
Apr 06, 2016
There's no problem with wiring the converter directly to the battery rather than through the DC panel. Many RVs have that sort of a setup. You should of course have a suitable fuse at the battery connection to protect the wire between the converter and the battery, as for any connection to the battery (that's longer than a few inches, at least).

One slight difference you may note is that, with the converter wired to the battery rather than the DC panel, you will have battery charging but not house DC power when plugged in with the battery disconnect switched off, rather than having house DC power from the converter but no battery charging under the same circumstances with it wired to the DC distribution panel. In practice, I don't see where it really makes much difference; if you're plugged into shore power, there's no great reason to disconnect the battery with the disconnect switch anyway, especially with a modern multistage converter.

I think the 9200 series converters probably won't fit in the space in your existing panel and will need to be deck mounted externally somewhere. You'd have to check the specifications and measure your chassis to tell for sure.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 06, 2016
Hi,

I'd do an end run and install a modest solar system. Cost for parts is under $2 per watt. Here is a place to look for panels at $1 per watt:

http://www.wholesalesolar.com/solar-panels
RoyB
Explorer II
Apr 06, 2016
This is what I did for a similar WFCO 8900 Series Power Distribution center with a WF8945 Converter/charge module in the bottom compartment.

Both the WF8945 and the PD9260C converter/chargers are in working order and I just simply flip the 120VAC circuit breaker for the one I want to use. I have never run both of them at the same time...

My WF8945 unit was new so I didn't have the guts to yank it out and just replace it with the PD9260C which was my original thought of doing.

I instead installed the PD9260C about 5-feet away from my Battery Bank main switch where the WFCO 8900 series Power Distribution panel and WF8945 converter/charger unit is some 17-feet away.

I used 4AWG cable from the DC OUT connection from the WF8900 series connection. Note the PD9260C has dual DC connections on it panel so it was easy to daisy chain connections as shown in the drawing...

I normally run the PD9260C all the the time but do have the WF-8945 unit as a new back-up if needed...

Been setup this way since early 2009 with no problems having both converter/chargers installed...

Some folks would rather both POSITIVE and NEGATIVE DC battery cables the whole distance but I elected to to rub POSITIVE cables. My NEGATIVE DC connections all go to a single FRAME GROUND point.

Roy Ken
ryanPSD
Explorer
Apr 06, 2016
Also being that the Progressive Dynamics 4600 series converters appear to be made as a drop in replacement for the WFCO and others, can anyone speak to the fact that the 9200 series will fit or not in the lower portion of the WFCO 8955? Or will it have to be surface mounted somewhere outside of the power center?

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