Converter just died. Replace or upgrade?

[SlowBro]

My WFCO 55A 3 stage converter just died. (Believe it's a WF-8855?)

Looking at the market is quite confusing. Any you recommend to replace it with? Keep it the same? Get one with four stages? (Or five+ stages if they have them?) Could I/should I take this opportunity to get one with more amps?

I'd love to boondock and possibly solar in the future but that's not going to happen yet. At the moment we're just using the trailer every few months for regular hookups.

I don't want to buy the best or the very cheapest. Low-to-mid-grade will do, unless there's an opportunity to get more features for about the same price. So am thinking $150-$300 or even $500 if there's a very compelling reason.

I current have a Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C, for what it's worth, if there's an advantage of getting some product that's compatible.

[pianotuna]

Iota with the genius module works well, too.

[starcraft69]

PROGRESSIVE DYNAMICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Golden_HVAC]

55 amps will work great for boondocking and charging up to about 4 batteries.

Less than 55 amps, and the generator will need to run more hours to get it charged back up. More than 60 amps (I have a 70 amp charger with 4 golf cart batteries and a 440 AH total capacity) and your charger will never really exceed more than 50 amps output more than a few minutes while the batteries are really low, so it is like having a huge engine in a tiny boat, on a tiny pond, it will really not get you anyplace faster.

My 70 amp charger will start out at around 55 amps but will quickly taper off to only about 45 amps after 30 minutes charging some 50% full Trojan T-105 golf cart batteries.

My suggestion for solar? Get a pair of golf cart batteries and a pair of 140 watt solar panels. More battery is just more weight, and you really no longer need to store more than 36 hours worth of power in the battery once you have a large solar system.

SunElec.com sells a $229 140 watt solar panel with aluminum frame, and 12 volt nominal output (21 volt open circuit). THis can be wired to a low cost PWM controller, and your battery. It will keep the battery full while in storage.

Your loads are about 35 AH daily to run the CO and propane leak detectors, and refrigerator. This is about what one of my 120 watt panels will put out each day.

Good luck,

Fred.

[SlowBro]

As mentioned above a possible future is boondocking and up to 3 batteries for solar. Boondocking you'd want a small amperage but solar you want more amps. So I'm a bit lost how to cast that one.

[time2roll]

No need for more than 45 amps unless you have at least three batteries.
Need to limit to 40 amps if you want to use a small 1000w Honda generator.
For just plugging in that PowerMax is fine. The smaller 35a or 45a PowerMax would be better charging profile for just one or two batteries.

[SlowBro]

And my other question, should I get more amps?

[lenr]

Research Progressive Dynamics, then buy on Amazon. They make exact size replacements for WFCO.

[Bobbo]

Anything named Parallax, Magnatek or WFCO needs to be replaced. Get a real converter. I agree, call Randy at Best Converter.

[BarneyS]

I would go with one of the Progressive Dynamics models that have the Charge Wizard built in. I have had their converters in my trailers for the past 25+ years and have never had a problem. They are "smart" chargers and will maintain your battery without overcharging even if left plugged in 24/7 as ours often is.

I suspect that the PD9260C would probably be a perfect match for your rig.
Barney

[SlowBro]

A single group 27 marine. Don't know the AH though. Would like capacity for 2-3 more batteries if I go on solar but I don't know how how much more weight that'd be. Long story short: If it only costs a little bit more for more capacity I'd like to get it.

[Matt_Colie]

You didn't think to tell us what your house bank is. That could matter, but any 4-stage will be better than what you had.

Matt

[SlowBro]

How about this converter? And my other question, should I get more amps?

http://www.bestconverter.com/55-Amp-4-Stage-Main-Board-Replacement_p_522.html

[azrving]

Progressive dynamics that will go to 14.4 volts. WFCO is too light weight to be a boat anchor, maybe keep it as a door stop.

[TucsonJim]

I second contacting Best Converter. Here's a website link for you:

Best Converter

Jim