Okay, my '14 Premier Bullet 19FBPR came with this WFCO Power Converter w/ Distribution Panel. It's a 3-stage charger which (I gather from all my research) is good.http://www.wfcoelectronics.com/UI/Power-Centers-WF-8955-55-Amp-Power-Center.aspx?ptype=3&pid=9Here are the specs on the tag;Panel Input.........120Vac 60Hz, 30AConverter Input.....105-130Vac 60Hz, 12A, 950WConverter Output....13.6VDC, 55AAnd here are the outputs from the manual;Absorbtion Mode: 13.6Vdc Bulk Mode: 14.4Vdc Float Mode: 13.2Vdc I'm planning on adding another 12 volt true deep cycle battery, to supplement the stock group 24 marine deep cycle battery. Also, a 1/2/Both/Off battery disconnect switch, making it easier to monitor off-gas state-of-charge make it easier to dry camp for extended periods of time. (Although I wouldn't run two different batteries at the same time, right?)I considered solar, but feared the output would not re-energize a battery in a primarily shady location. Plus, I cannot find a local expert to help my plan a small solar system. So, I think I'm just going to spring for a Honda EU1000 generator, and reluctantly run it every 2-4 days. With very light electrical use (fridge controller, LP detector, infrequent water pump, occasional LED lights), does that sound about right? About how long would this small Honda have to run to bring a group 24 stock marine deep cycle from 50% back up to 90%? Would a better-quality true deep cycle take longer? I would direct connect it to the trailer's charger described above, right?Thanks in advance for any answers, thoughts or suggestions!

WFCO is notorious for not getting into "bulk mode".Give it a go but I think you will be looking for a converter replacement or a 40 amp portable.Solar is easy.Panel --> Controller --> BatteryOh and put width=600 in the pic syntax to reduce the pic.

Hi,The converter you have probably never gets to bulk mode.Here is a chart:"The chart above shows the amount of time it took a PD9155 (55-amp) converter set to three different output voltages to recharge a 125 AH (Amp Hour) battery after it was fully discharged to 10.5-volts.14.4-VOLTS (Boost Mode) – Returned the battery to 90% of full charge in approximately 3-hours. The battery reached full charge in approximately 11 hours.13.6-VOLTS (Normal Mode) – Required 40-hours to return the battery to 90% of full charge and 78-hours to reach full charge.13.2-VOLTS (Storage Mode) – Required 60-hours to return the battery to 90% of full charge and 100-hours to reach full charge."

Hi,The converter you have probably never gets to bulk mode, so it would take about 20 hours of generator run time to get from 50% to 90%Here is a chart:"The chart above shows the amount of time it took a PD9155 (55-amp) converter set to three different output voltages to recharge a 125 AH (Amp Hour) battery after it was fully discharged to 10.5-volts.14.4-VOLTS (Boost Mode) – Returned the battery to 90% of full charge in approximately 3-hours. The battery reached full charge in approximately 11 hours.13.6-VOLTS (Normal Mode) – Required 40-hours to return the battery to 90% of full charge and 78-hours to reach full charge.13.2-VOLTS (Storage Mode) – Required 60-hours to return the battery to 90% of full charge and 100-hours to reach full charge."

I have the same converter on our trailer and have been making it work for us nicely in a dry camping situation. We camp for about 8 days in the Smokies with a single Trojan SCS 200 12V (Gr 27 115AH) deep cycle battery using a Honda EU1000 (also have two EU 2000s but don't take them) that I run for a few hours every morning. When I first connect the generator the charge curent for the single battery is on the order of 12A and when it tapers off to around 3A I shut the generator off. I have been using this technique for over 10 years and always have plenty of battery power. We have the normal trailer loads plus run the Fantastic vent fan all night long when we are there in the summer.Dick

I'd suggest you rethink your options.No matter what, change all lights to LED to reduce loads significantly. If possible, get 2 6Volt GC's instead of adding to an existing battery bank, no need for a battery selector.Dump the WFCO and install a PD9245 with pendant and a 1000 Honda. You have a 19 foot trailer, and a 45 Amp converter will be more than adequate.If you do this, you will be perfectly set up to add solar at a future date. I have 220 watts of solar and a 2000 Honda. I did it in stages, and wish I had done it this way. The 1000 would have been more than adequate, and would not have been as big a lug for this old body.Regards,Doug

WFCO converter & battery questions | Good Sam Community

dahkota
Explorer
May 07, 2014
I have the 8955 which I will replace when it goes bad. We have gotten it to go into bulk charge - take it down to about 50%, no problem. Stays in bulk until about 80% then goes to absorption mode. At 90% it goes into float.
That is where it really sucks. No matter what you do, if connected through the converter (i.e. not using a stand alone battery charger direct to the batteries), it will take hours and hours to get that last 10%.

But we don't care anymore because we installed 420W of solar panels. We are now happy campers.
Unyalli
Explorer
May 07, 2014
Replace the WFCO. I did a PD9245 in my forward compartment with #4 wire and turned off the built in converter. You can instead replace the converter section with a PD4600 series.

PD's at Bestconverter

I would also do two GC2's in series.

-Jeff
AH64ID
Explorer
May 07, 2014
I have owned two campers with WFCO 8955's, they are cheap and slow converters.

I upgraded on my current camper to a PD4655 and it works much better and faster. I can get 2 300AH 6V's to 90% with the PD4655 faster than the WFCO could get 2 85AH G24 12V's.

I also agree that adding a separate system is a waste of time and energy. Put 2 golf cart 6V's up there and wire as 12V, then upgrade the converter and go camp.

A digital voltmeter is also a good idea, recharge based on voltage not on days. A resting voltage of 12.2 is when you should recharge, or if a cold night is coming up and you are below 12.5.
NinerBikes
Explorer
May 07, 2014
I have a 21 foot Palomino Gazelle. Had the Eu1000i before I even got the trailer, for emergencies.

Did the same as everyone else. Installed a PD 9245 with the Pendant in my storage area up front, close to the battery, ran 4 feet each of 8 gauge wire to the battery. Start the little Honda up, run it in Eco mode for 2 or 3 minutes to warm it up, then plug in the PD 9245. It charges my 150AH Trojan T-1275 just fine, to 90%

I do put the battery on an OLD 6 AH Sears manual charger when I get back from weekend trips, and bring the voltage up to 16.0V, or the specific gravity up to about 1.275 to 1.280, to equalize and top it off before going back to storage.

If you don't plan on running A/C or microwave, and get LED's, the Honda Eu1000i will indeed be plenty.

Learn how to drain the float bowl on your Honda Eu1000i before storage. Open the cover with a quarter. Open the float bowl with a screw driver, the fuel line will drain the fuel out near the foot of the generator. Close the screw to the float bowl. Turn on the starter choke. Leave the motor ignition switch in the off position, and pull the starter handle 3 times briskly. That will suck all the fuel out of the jets for storage.

Plan on 15 to 20 starter pulls the next time you start up to have the fuel pump get enough fuel to the carb to start up and run the next time around. Much better than a Honda that hunts and searches to maintain an engine speed under load.
mbopp
Explorer
May 07, 2014
Our old HTT had a single-stage Elixir converter which I bypassed and added an IOTA 55A deck-mounted one in the pass-through.
The new TT has a WFCO converter. I took the IOTA and mounted it in the pass-through which gives me a 3' wire run to the dual 12V batteries. I added a circuit breaker to the WFCO and have the WFCO on it so I can shut it down and just run on the IOTA. WFCO's are notorious for not going into bulk mode.
I also converter to LED lighting. We camp in shaded sites so solar wasn't an option. Charging is handled by a Honda 2000i a few hours every other day.
RJsfishin
Explorer
May 07, 2014
I'm w/ Doughere above.
Dump the WFCO.
I have the PD9245 w/ a 1000w Honda.
I added a little solar,,,,,,works great while in Arizona, but is near worthless local camping on the coast here in Oregon.
No need for a batt selector,.....kis...keep it simple, but couldn't work better.
doughere
Explorer
May 07, 2014
I'd suggest you rethink your options.

No matter what, change all lights to LED to reduce loads significantly. If possible, get 2 6Volt GC's instead of adding to an existing battery bank, no need for a battery selector.

Dump the WFCO and install a PD9245 with pendant and a 1000 Honda. You have a 19 foot trailer, and a 45 Amp converter will be more than adequate.

If you do this, you will be perfectly set up to add solar at a future date. I have 220 watts of solar and a 2000 Honda. I did it in stages, and wish I had done it this way. The 1000 would have been more than adequate, and would not have been as big a lug for this old body.

Regards,
Doug
dclark1946
Explorer
May 07, 2014
I have the same converter on our trailer and have been making it work for us nicely in a dry camping situation. We camp for about 8 days in the Smokies with a single Trojan SCS 200 12V (Gr 27 115AH) deep cycle battery using a Honda EU1000 (also have two EU 2000s but don't take them) that I run for a few hours every morning. When I first connect the generator the charge curent for the single battery is on the order of 12A and when it tapers off to around 3A I shut the generator off. I have been using this technique for over 10 years and always have plenty of battery power. We have the normal trailer loads plus run the Fantastic vent fan all night long when we are there in the summer.

Dick
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 07, 2014
Hi,

The converter you have probably never gets to bulk mode, so it would take about 20 hours of generator run time to get from 50% to 90%

Here is a chart:

"The chart above shows the amount of time it took a PD9155 (55-amp) converter set to three different output voltages to recharge a 125 AH (Amp Hour) battery after it was fully discharged to 10.5-volts.

14.4-VOLTS (Boost Mode) – Returned the battery to 90% of full charge in approximately 3-hours. The battery reached full charge in approximately 11 hours.

13.6-VOLTS (Normal Mode) – Required 40-hours to return the battery to 90% of full charge and 78-hours to reach full charge.

13.2-VOLTS (Storage Mode) – Required 60-hours to return the battery to 90% of full charge and 100-hours to reach full charge."
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 07, 2014
Hi,

The converter you have probably never gets to bulk mode.

Here is a chart:

"The chart above shows the amount of time it took a PD9155 (55-amp) converter set to three different output voltages to recharge a 125 AH (Amp Hour) battery after it was fully discharged to 10.5-volts.

14.4-VOLTS (Boost Mode) – Returned the battery to 90% of full charge in approximately 3-hours. The battery reached full charge in approximately 11 hours.

13.6-VOLTS (Normal Mode) – Required 40-hours to return the battery to 90% of full charge and 78-hours to reach full charge.

13.2-VOLTS (Storage Mode) – Required 60-hours to return the battery to 90% of full charge and 100-hours to reach full charge."