wfco converters, specifically wf8945... any experience

Question

I got a wf8945 converter in my TT (2007 Terry Dakota). I am an issue whereby if you plug into shore power with the battery connected (battery at good level), the converter will go into "bulk mode" and stay there for what probably is 4 hours.... :-( of course, this is likely to cause a problem especially if the battery has been charging by the tow vehicle electrical while you are travelling . Can you say boil... :-( IF I disconnect the battery BEFORE I plug into shore power and then connect up the same battery (same charge level), the converter stays at "absorption" level (about 13.7v) which I kind of expect and doesn't necessarily switch to bulk mode because I think the converter now sees that the battery is at full charge.

I was wonder if any one has had the same experience. My read on the manual, seems to indicate that the bulk mode should only come on if needed and for a maximum of 4 hours as in "up to" not "always for". Maybe a bad controller?
Do people disconnect their battery before tying into shore power?

It certainly not fun boiling battery... :-)

rjcorazza · Answer

I had a WFCO 45a converter, and most people had difficulty getting the thing to enter "boost" mode of 14.4v. 14.4v for 4 hours on a fully charged battery is not going to hurt anything, and will likely provide somewhat of an equalization charge. I would not worry about it.
Is it possible that your battery is in fact at a lower charge level than you think?

budwich · Answer

I have been "meter monitoring" it both at the panel and at the battery terminals just in case there is some wiring issues (ie. corrosion, gage changes, poor connections, etc). Things seem pretty uniform voltage wise. Again the funny thing is "powering up" one way results in a different mode that the other. It doesn't make much logical sense especially when there are only two components in the chain.

I suspect that I might not see the "bulk" / "boost" mode either. Once in "absorb" mode (ie. normal day to day), I haven't been plugged in long enough with enough power of devices to draw down the battery level so I suspect I might have a similar issue to other as you refer to. I guess I have to monitor the voltage more carefully thru out our trip to see what is happening. I certainly don't want to boil a new battery.... it hasn't so far but am concerned that long term 14.4 won't be good.
Thanks for the extra "experience" data.

azrving · Answer

I just put one in and it wont go to 14.4 It stays at 13.6 and it only did that when I held pressure against the reverse polarity fuses. The fuses are so loose that one is almost falling out. As I was checking everything 20 freaking times I happened to reach in and check the 120 volt pigtail and got shocked because the terminals are bare on the back of the connector. Lucky it didn't short to the case. Junk. Take their friendship and you know what with it. I'm returning it for a Progressive Dynamics 4600 4 stage. I hope its better.

Right now I'm trying to pump something into it with a piece of junk schumacher that's been forgotten out in the rain and even it puts out 14.23 lol

bob213 · Answer

Wfco doesn't have the best reputation. May be time for a direct replacement. Easy to swap out just the converter portion. Here's one example and if you call they have great customer service that can guide you to what you need:
wfco replacement

budwich · Answer

Based on current experience, it appears that regardless of battery charge state, the converter always starts at bulk mode (14.4v) IF the converter is plugged into shore with a battery connected.  It then always, runs in this mode for 4 hours regardless of battery level.  I don't think this is good in the long term for a battery especially if it has been already fully charged during the days travel.  I am likely going to start disconnecting the battery prior to "shore powering" as then the converter always starts and appears to stay in "absorption" mode which i think might be easier on the battery.

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wfco converters, specifically wf8945... any experience

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