lawrosa wrote:
That said the OP is one of the very very few that I've know that was able to get the WFCO into the constant current mode. most I've seen almost immediately drop into the 13.6 constant voltage mode. wrote:
Can you explain this better?
So the comments I have read above even the PD's show a low voltage when initially plugged in with higher amps .. As theory goes high amps lower voltage.
Even though I do not see said 14.4 at the converter terminals it may be in that 14.4 mode right? Because of said amps. This may just be the algorithm of the wfco.
And the wfco will hold said amps until it drops out... Im thinking when batts reach 13.4? volts, hench why you dont see the batts reach 14.4..
Now when talking to the wfco tech I brought up the same point to him. I tried to compare it to my solar..
Mu solar will charge ar bulk 14.7 until the batts reach 14.7. The amps will stay maxed at what the solar can produce with the controller. With mine its 20 amps max. Common I see is 17 amps. Then the solar will go to absorp stage and amps then taper.
Tech stated the wfco's dont work like that
And I understand the 14.7 thing will charge faster.
But is it true say the wfco charging at 30 amps 13.6 vs the PD at 14.4 20 amps ( lower volts = more amps) it would be a wash?
In your case it appears the WFCO is acting like a PD or similar. when the batteries are discharged it starts in a constant current mode giving 30 amps to the battery and then holds it till the battery voltage rises to near 14.X V and the goes to constant voltage to finish charging. then hopefully will drop back to 13.6V to keep the battery charged.
Now a PD 40, 50, 60 etc A unit would do similar. you'd see the PD rate current or near it initially, dropping some as it gets near 14.6V.
Now, many with the WFCO have found it NEVER goes into the constant current mode as it should or they drop out pretty quick and goes to the 13.6V constant voltage mode with low current. It immediately thinks the battery is fully charged and goes to the 13.6 constant voltage mode. in that case it can't supply much currrent to the battery, especially if the run between the battery and converter is very long with the typical #6 wire. what I have seen is 10-15A or so.
as an example one camper friend's 4 GC batteries were way down, around 40 percent SOC, and the WFCO would immediately go in the 13.6V constant voltage mode giving a whopping 15A charging current. I pulled my 60A PD out of the pass through and we hooked it up to the battery bank and it immediately started stuffing 60A into the bank and continued for several hours. Initial voltage was still only arou 13.4V with the 60A, it's constant current mode. gradually as expected battery voltage rose, current started to drop and when current was around 25A it finally reached 14.6 volts and went into constant voltage mode to finish the charge.
