WFCO 8875 converter
It seems my converter has decided to die. Anyone know if it has internal breakers or fuses? I just found the problem a few minutes ago and can't trouble shoot for a couple of days. If I have to r...
Forum Discussion
The very first PowerMax converters were clone WFCOs under licence, including that 13.2v trigger. I had one of the 100a ones with my 458AH bank, back when.
I remember when I was down 225AH by Trimetric, 51% SOC, it started off, no boost. I ran the batts down some more and at 236AH down, 48.5% SOC, it went into boost this time.
I sent "comments" :) about this to the company, saying it was stupid to have to run the batts down more in order to charge them back up. They agreed, and stopped making those WFCO clones, and went to their own designs (which have evolved over the years to now the LK models.)
A friend had a Cardinal 5er with a WFCO in front close to the batteries. I saw 14.4 with that ok using my multimeter when we were checking something. Can't remember the WFCO amps (probably a 55) and AHs, but it was doing what it should.
A note on PowerMax absorption times at 14.x volts. First they had none. You got to 14.x and the converter dropped to 13.6. Next, they went the Iota route with the 15 minute thing. With the LKs they have the three-stage mode where it lasts for 30 minutes instead of 15. BUT you can choose the adjustable voltage mode and dial in your 14.x and it will stay at that voltage as long as you want.
A peculiarity is their whole power centre you can get. The converter in that is a different model from the deck mount LKs. It has a two hour time at boost instead of the half hour. It is a different physical size too.
I complained about the shorter sort of times at Vabs, and they said the companies that make RVs (what they call "OEMs") tell them they want "gentle" charging profiles because the people who buy RVs are mostly convinced that anything else will wreck their batteries. Seems they don't read this forum! Naturally PowerMax would like OEMs to pick them and acts accordingly.
PowerMax tries to help us too though, inventing that LK from 2016, where you can choose gentle three-stage or do whatever you like with the adjustable voltage mode. Can't ask for more than that.
I remember when I was down 225AH by Trimetric, 51% SOC, it started off, no boost. I ran the batts down some more and at 236AH down, 48.5% SOC, it went into boost this time.
I sent "comments" :) about this to the company, saying it was stupid to have to run the batts down more in order to charge them back up. They agreed, and stopped making those WFCO clones, and went to their own designs (which have evolved over the years to now the LK models.)
A friend had a Cardinal 5er with a WFCO in front close to the batteries. I saw 14.4 with that ok using my multimeter when we were checking something. Can't remember the WFCO amps (probably a 55) and AHs, but it was doing what it should.
A note on PowerMax absorption times at 14.x volts. First they had none. You got to 14.x and the converter dropped to 13.6. Next, they went the Iota route with the 15 minute thing. With the LKs they have the three-stage mode where it lasts for 30 minutes instead of 15. BUT you can choose the adjustable voltage mode and dial in your 14.x and it will stay at that voltage as long as you want.
A peculiarity is their whole power centre you can get. The converter in that is a different model from the deck mount LKs. It has a two hour time at boost instead of the half hour. It is a different physical size too.
I complained about the shorter sort of times at Vabs, and they said the companies that make RVs (what they call "OEMs") tell them they want "gentle" charging profiles because the people who buy RVs are mostly convinced that anything else will wreck their batteries. Seems they don't read this forum! Naturally PowerMax would like OEMs to pick them and acts accordingly.
PowerMax tries to help us too though, inventing that LK from 2016, where you can choose gentle three-stage or do whatever you like with the adjustable voltage mode. Can't ask for more than that.
