WFCO Quality
Why does this company still exist? Why is it still installed in newer motorhomes? why why why? I saw a lady in my local RV store was buying a new progressive dynamics converter because guess what h...
Forum Discussion
I have had a 45 amp 8945 WIFCO on my 2003 Class C since new. It works just fine with the 2 T-105's installed when new. The first set lasted 10 years and new Trojan T-105's doing fine.
Over the years I have read posts of people frying all brands and models of converter/chargers. Replacing a correct working unit because of unrealistic expectations of the total battery/charging system supplied.
The problem is the lack of knowledge of both RV manufacturers and the RV buyers.
The size of the converter/charger has to be based on the size and type batteries used in the battery-bank. A 45amp converter charger is all that is required for a 2 battery system using the more common acid-lead deep-cycle batteries.
Manufactures in recent years have been installing 55amp converter/chargers in RV's with only 1 or 2 batteries. There is no way in h--l that the oversized charger will stay in "bulk charge" any length of time to charge these batteries any faster. The battery controls the charge rate and will not accept an average charge rate much over 20 amps an hour up to 80%soc and down hill after that. The smaller charger will get the job done faster since it will get into "bulk mode" easier and stay there longer.
It you want to see faster charging you need to switch to Optima, Lifeline, etc., batteries that except higher amp charging rates during the early charging to 80% to 90%soc.
Most chargers replaced by customers complaining about unrealistic expectations from their new RV have probably been replaced with no actual problems with the converter/charger.
People need to realize that WIFCO converters are unit installed by manufactures because the price is right. They are the largest percentage of converters installed in RV's in the lower price range. The manufacturer knows that supplying a over-sized converter/charger sounds good to a customer with little or average knowledge about RV systems. I can remember getting our first pop-up trailer in 1984. The dealer installed a starting battery instead of a deep-cycle battery. I didn't notice it until we camped without shore-power later in the season and the battery was already going "belly up".
This post if more like someone complaining the Chevy they purchased does not meet their expectations of the Cadillac their folks are driving.
Over the years I have read posts of people frying all brands and models of converter/chargers. Replacing a correct working unit because of unrealistic expectations of the total battery/charging system supplied.
The problem is the lack of knowledge of both RV manufacturers and the RV buyers.
The size of the converter/charger has to be based on the size and type batteries used in the battery-bank. A 45amp converter charger is all that is required for a 2 battery system using the more common acid-lead deep-cycle batteries.
Manufactures in recent years have been installing 55amp converter/chargers in RV's with only 1 or 2 batteries. There is no way in h--l that the oversized charger will stay in "bulk charge" any length of time to charge these batteries any faster. The battery controls the charge rate and will not accept an average charge rate much over 20 amps an hour up to 80%soc and down hill after that. The smaller charger will get the job done faster since it will get into "bulk mode" easier and stay there longer.
It you want to see faster charging you need to switch to Optima, Lifeline, etc., batteries that except higher amp charging rates during the early charging to 80% to 90%soc.
Most chargers replaced by customers complaining about unrealistic expectations from their new RV have probably been replaced with no actual problems with the converter/charger.
People need to realize that WIFCO converters are unit installed by manufactures because the price is right. They are the largest percentage of converters installed in RV's in the lower price range. The manufacturer knows that supplying a over-sized converter/charger sounds good to a customer with little or average knowledge about RV systems. I can remember getting our first pop-up trailer in 1984. The dealer installed a starting battery instead of a deep-cycle battery. I didn't notice it until we camped without shore-power later in the season and the battery was already going "belly up".
This post if more like someone complaining the Chevy they purchased does not meet their expectations of the Cadillac their folks are driving.
