Will my WFCO 55 amp over charge?

philh wrote:
wfco chargers are POS and known for boiling batteries dry and/or never going into bulk charge mode.

WFCO converters use a voltage and current sense along with timers, if too much current is being drawn during storage and the voltage is low enough over a specified time limit it will never go into storage mode (13.2V).

Phantom loads like the stereo/entertainment system, fridge control board, water heater control boar, furnace control board and the LP gas detector even though they may appear to be turned of all draw a small amount of 12V current (AKA Phantom loads).. Typically those phantom loads are enough to prevent the converter from dropping into storage mode.

Not going into bulk mode is a issue which the converter does not "see" the proper battery voltages within specified time limits..

Pretty much ALL multistage converters have these issues, some just handle it better than others. But the real blame should be placed on RV builder placing the converter too far away from the batteries and using too light of a ga of wire for the distance.

Both issues can be "cured", removing the phantom loads generally cures the issue of not going into storage mode and upgrading the wire size often cures the bulk mode issue..

It is not all the fault of the converter.

As far as the OPs question goes, you should be OK to leave converter connected and running 24/7 as long as you check to make sure it is indeed dropping into storage mode of 13.2V. Basically converter monitors battery voltage and after a preset time that it sees no drop in voltage (like turning on lights) it is supposed to drop into storage mode. Sometimes however there are enough small loads like your stereo that may appear to be turned off but draw enough current that the converter is faked into staying out of storage mode.

Sometimes you can pull a fuse or two of the offending items and that will stop that issue.

You can of coarse, just disconnect the batteries once they are fully charged and leave them in the RV for the winter. Disconnecting the batteries gets rid of the phantom draws and reduces the discharge down to the self discharge levels. Fully charged batteries store well for 3-6 months at a time without needing charged and charged batteries will not freeze in cold weather.

Another way to go if one is hyper scared of WFCO, put the converter on a 24hr mechanical appliance timer ($10) set the on for 2-4 hrs per day (this would be same charging routine as if you had solar panels) and it won't overcharge the batteries.. You could jump up to a electronic timer which gives you more programing flexibility but make sure it is an appliance rated timer.