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Moffittclan's avatar
Moffittclan
Explorer
May 11, 2016

Wfco converter - solved

Just posting what I found when my lights were dimming every couple of minutes after researching on other forums and on here. Most research led to me to believe it was the converter but could also be bad batteries in or couple other things. So my first choice was to remove the batteries and have them tested. I did find one bad battery (out of 4) and 2 batteries low on water. I replaced the one and added water to the others but the lights keep dimming. So I pulled off the cover over the converter and it appeared there was Mouse Nest or something all around the fan of the converter keeping it from turning. I cleaned out the nest and got the fan turning and now I've got solid lights. It appears the converter was overheating and not being able to cool itself.

Just posting in case others are researching in the future.

8 Replies

  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    May 13, 2016
    Snake s---
    See if you can find a neighborhood kid with a pet snake. A dried dropping the size of a pea will scare the ---- out of a mouse twenty feet distant. We have Whip Snakes and they are Nast-tee! Dried droppings have little if any odor to humans. If squeamish wrap the thing in cheesecloth. horrendously effective. Use under the rig not inside.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    May 11, 2016
    Just don't expect the new battery to last any longer than the other older batteries.
    If they get weak in three more years plan to replace all of them.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    May 11, 2016
    Hi,

    It is not a theory.

    As batteries age their chemistry changes. As the chemistry changes so does the voltage. So when one new battery is introduced the others will be a parasitic load on it causing it to age faster than in a situation where all four were replaced.

    That doesn't mean you can not do what you did. It just means that the new jar may have a shorter lifespan.

    Best practise is for all the batteries to be identical in all ways.

    Moffittclan wrote:
    What's the reasoning?
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    May 11, 2016
    You'll be fine with different age of batteries during camping, when you constant charge/discharge and 0.05V difference don't matter.
    Just disconnect them in the storage.
    Than I've been replacing tires in pairs my whole life.
    Not too many vehicles make even wear on all axles.
  • Moffittclan's avatar
    Moffittclan
    Explorer
    May 11, 2016
    Really? Dang it! At 125 each, I don't want to replace batteries that aren't bad. What's the reasoning? I understand it for tires, I assume it's somewhat the same theory?
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    May 11, 2016
    You should ALWAYS replace all batteries in a bank when 1 is bad. It is not a good idea to replace one that is new and match it with 1-2-3 other older batteries. Doug
  • Moffittclan's avatar
    Moffittclan
    Explorer
    May 11, 2016
    On a side note, while down there, I noticed water dripping off of a power cord right on top of my automatic power switch...can't find where the water is coming from. And we have just taken a shower use the washing machine and wash dishes, so the choices are endless.

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