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wopachop's avatar
wopachop
Explorer
Jun 27, 2020

Trick the WFCO converter into not entering 14.4v?

Hi im going through all my manuals and not finding the manual for my WFCO converter. Its a 2012 FR trailer. In the past people tell me its the model that sucks and people often replace.

Is there way to keep this converter from going into 14.4 charging mode? I think it happens every 2 days about this time of day. Reason is because i have several 12v DC fans to cool my trailer. Sometimes i crank them full blast and leave. I feel like 14.4v is unnecessary heat and wear and tear. During the winter its not an issue.

My trailer batteries are disconnected. So the 14.4v charge is not helping anything. I feel like its only hurting.

Went to the WFCO website. I dont know my model number. Need to yank the cover on my distribution panel. I know i posted a picture on this site a year or 2 ago but i cant find it using the search feature. I was showing how dusty and dirty it was back there. Wanted to blow out the converter of dust. You guys warned me to be easy with the compressed air. Dont want to spin the fan at 1 million RPM. I think i held it with my finger while blowing with the air nozzle.

Think there is a basic adjusting screw on the converter to adjust output voltage? I dont even need the 13.5 regular charge voltage. Maybe i can crank the 13.5 regular charge down to 12.5v, which would trick the converter and make the 14.4v charge close to 1v less?
  • Lynnmor wrote:
    I believe that you have the one WFCO converter that ever went into 14.4 mode. :D


    As there is no battery involved there is nothing to hold the voltage down. With a battery the voltage won't be 14.4.
  • I believe that you have the one WFCO converter that ever went into 14.4 mode. :D
  • wopachop wrote:

    Is there way to keep this converter from going into 14.4 charging mode?


    The general issue with WFCO is it won't go into 14.4v charging.

    Is there something happening to make you believe it is doing 14.4v
  • Yes, the PM3s didn't but the PM4s do. However they have been replaced by the by the newer LK models. I don't know what they do if anything as a "fourth stage". They do have the 13.2v "storage" stage.

    Anyway, I thought all of the brands that do that only did it in the "storage" 13.2v mode, so the OP would not see that when running his loads, which would keep the converter at the 13.6 "normal" mode.
  • pianotuna wrote:
    Iirc PD does its boost every 20 hours for 15 minutes.
    Yes and IOTA once a week but does the whole sequence.

    I believe some of the older Boondockers did not have this function. PM3 might not have it. I think it started with PM4. BFL probably knows.
  • Power is related to square of the voltage.

    14.4 x 14.4 = 207.36

    13.6 x 13.6 = 184.96

    So less than 11% change in "real" power. I'd not worry about it at all.
  • I believe the programming is to give a 15 minute "boost" charge every 24 hours. Pretty sure all WFCO do this along with PD, Boondocker and IOTA. No practical way to stop. Although many 12v items will tolerate 10 to 15 volts so I would not worry too much. If one of the fans actually burns out you could either use a different power supply or find some type of 12v regulator.
  • Connect a battery. That should keep the voltage above the 13.2v trigger that makes the WFCO go into boost. Then the WFCO will likely refuse to do 14.4 and stay at 13.6 like several others with WFCOs say theirs do. Worth a try.

    Now the fans are showing the WFCO less than 13.2v with their load voltage drop. The battery will support the converter in running the loads so not so much drop and stay above 13.2 on starting the loads.