LiFePO4 Converter Change?

This one will as well. On another note I’m surprised Northwoods put that junk converter in it.

First of all 14.6 is generally the peak maximum to subject the battery to. Most of the converter manufacturers get this wrong. 14.2 - 14.4 volts is better. 13.2 - 13.4 is fine for float. Some even hold 14.6 indefinitely and is very bad for lithium.

Consider the existing WFCO may work fine. Otherwise a standard Progressive Dynamics is better.

www.bestconverter.com/PD4655MBA-WildKat-55-Amp-Main-Board-Assembly-for-WFCO-8955

WFCO makes an auto-sensing replacement kit that is two stage. I think I’m gonna order it.

Ranger Tim,

14.6 is right on the edge of too much. 14.4 volts may increase life span.

Ranger Tim wrote:
Can anyone cut through it and keep it simple?

Sure.
This one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DP3J3FD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Remove old, replace with new. Plug and play. 14.4 volts max charge.
You're done.

Your lithium will also have a max and recommended charging amperage. Make sure the charger doesn't exceed this.

pianotuna wrote:
Ranger Tim,

14.6 is right on the edge of too much. 14.4 volts may increase life span.

Yet even the beloved and revered Battleborn recommends up to 14.8. And says 14.4-14.6 is reccomended.

How much lifespan will be lost charging at 14.6 vs 14.4?

(Hint…this is another non issue that you’re trying to confuse the OP with…)

Ranger Tim wrote:
WFCO makes an auto-sensing replacement kit that is two stage. I think I’m gonna order it.

Don’t. Unless you know something about WFCo we don’t. Traditionally they are borderline junk.

Grit dog wrote:

Ranger Tim wrote:
WFCO makes an auto-sensing replacement kit that is two stage. I think I’m gonna order it.

Don’t. Unless you know something about WFCo we don’t. Traditionally they are borderline junk.

and your being nice ;)

I won't have WFCO in anything I own anymore. the last three units I have had they were ripped out and changed to PD before they left the lot. I do have a couple WFCO's laying around though.. I use them to power my 12V winch in the garage...

Ranger Tim wrote:
I just want to switch from lead acid to lithium, not upgrade wires and everything else. Finding a new replacement board for my WF-8955PEC seems to be complicated. Straight 14.6V continuous boost single phase vs. 14.6 boost and 13.4 idle dual phase approach, some have a switch for LA/Li, others are auto sensing, still others are Lithium only. Huge range of prices indicates there may be some poor quality fake/unauthorized parts out there. I don’t want to replace the entire thing, just the converter section.

Reading forum posts from many sites usually ends in discussions that go into the weeds quickly. Can anyone cut through it and keep it simple?

It's unfortunate you have a WFCO. Even with significantly discharged batteries, they're notorious for rarely charging in the higher voltage bulk mode. They tend to stay in 13.6v absorption mode, which increases charge times. The WFCO you currently have will safely charge a 12v lifepo4 battery to 98-99% SOC at 13.6v. However, it'll take much longer to do so vs. a converter with the same current rating charging at 14.4v or 14.6v.

You may want to look at the Powermax PM3 MBA series converters. They're designed to be a plug and play replacement for the lower tray 8900 series converters that are used in many WFCO power centers. They're lifepo4 compatible and can be switched to operate in either a single-stage (power supply) mode or a standard 3-stage charging mode. The single-stage (power supply) or 3-stage bulk mode voltage can be adjusted from 13.0 - 16.5v. Since there's always ongoing debate about the optimum charge voltage for a 12v lifepo4 battery, this feature allows you to accommodate whatever lifepo4 charge voltage happens to be the "best" this week, next month or next year.

Regardless which brand converter you eventually decide on, highly recommend *not* purchasing a single stage 14.6v converter. If you inadvertently float a 12v lifepo4 battery at 14.6v (100% SOC) for long periods of time you may risk damaging the cells. Purchase a 2-3 stage converter. A 2-3 stage converter will always decrease charge voltage (go into absorption/float mode) so you never have to be concerned about overcharging and damaging the cells. Your expensive lifepo4 battery will thank you.