Is a converter upgrade necessary anymore?

It's a WFCO WF-8955PEC.

Try it and see how well it maintains/charges batteries and IF it ever goes to 14.4V DC 'BULK' charge

It's a 2018 model so maybe WFCO has finally got it right

Old-Biscuit wrote:
It's a WFCO WF-8955PEC.

Try it and see how well it maintains/charges batteries and IF it ever goes to 14.4V DC 'BULK' charge

It's a 2018 model so maybe WFCO has finally got it right

They haven't. If your lucky a WFCO may go to bulk charge and cook off the electrolyte. It gives you a great reason to purchase new batteries.

WFCO's 8955 is no different than it's ever been, mine never charges beyond ~ 13.7 volts, turned it off and instead use a stand alone CTEK charger that does a proper 14.4 volt bulk charge.

I have a Parallax 4455. No problems, charges the batteries just fine.

just FWIW

Our WFCO never goes above 3.7V either. Probably replace it this winter with the PD 4655.

GrandpaKip wrote:
Our WFCO never goes above 3.7V either. Probably replace it this winter with the PD 4655.

I'm sure you mean 13.7 volts. ;) For sure, one can replace the converter entirely but one issue that concerned me is that very few converters offer temperature compensated charging. East Penn which manufactured my DEKA G31 AGM battery warns that temp compensated charging is a requirement, not an option, in which case simply turning off the stock WFCO and using a stand alone charger that does offer compensated charging seems like the better choice to me. Also less work to make the change. :B

I met another RV.NETter in a campground in Monument Valley about a month ago, and he told me his WFCO never went into boost mode. I told him that WFCO converters were known for that. I told him that if he wants fast, efficient charging, swap it out for a PD4655V. The same advice applies to you.

jerseyjim wrote:
I have a Parallax 4455. No problems, charges the batteries just fine.

just FWIW

If you always have hookups, and watch the batteries closely to keep the electrolyte from boiling out, the Parallax is fine. If you boondock and run your batteries down to 50% charge, then use a generator to get them back up quickly so you can keep boondocking, the Parallax won’t cut the mustard. My PD4655V will take my two AGM Group 24 batteries from 50% SOC to 90% SOC in 4 hours +/-, while the Parallax would take all day or more. It will also boil your batteries dry if left on in storage for extended periods. It all depends on your style of camping and how closely you watch your batteries.

(OP, been jumping out of any airliners recently? :))

DB Cooper wrote:
The website says it’s a 3-stage that charges at 14.4 volts.

Bring your voltmeter to verify.
Please post the results.

My WFCO has been just fine. I must have a prototype model..... lol It's getting a PD upgrade this winter just because I have no trust in it.