Power Converter and Batteries Issues
Okay, so I am expanding on the previous topic from our first trip out. It appears (now confirmed) that my batteries are dead. Today, I went to the trailer to remove the batteries and found them au...
Forum Discussion
westend wrote:
Robert,
Nice work on the installation and good choice (replacing the WFCO). Was the weight difference noticeable?
Actually, the insides picture of the WFCO is not as bad as I assumed. The wimpy transformer in the center, though, might be the cause of a lot of WFCO converter problems.
That wimpy transformer is not an old school 60hz line transformer.
Instead it is a high frequency "chopper" transformer and operates in the 20Khz+ range. Operating at a high frequency allows manufacturers to downsize the physical size of the transformer..
If you notice that huge inductor on the right side that is there to help filter out any residual high frequency hash and RFI..
The downfall of the converter is the fact that WFCO is well known for NOT going into storage mode (13.2V) and gets stuck at 13.6V which WILL boil batteries to death.
There are things that can be done with WFCO converters, you could put it on a timer for storage set the time to run the converter for several hrs per day and boiled batteries will become a thing of the past. When camping you can disable the timer but you will have to remember to re-enable the timer when done camping.
You can also just simply disconnect the batteries, when disconnected your batteries will stay charged enough to be stored for at least 3 months without the need for charging..
