Converters and generators

[ZZSPIRAL1]

I have a WFCO Ultra III (WF-8955) converter that requires 950W of input. I'm surprised it takes that much power to run, but maybe I'm missing something. Apparantly a 1000W generator won't provide enough power, which makes sense, because they're rated 900W. I have a Yamaha 2000W generator, but I like the idea of using a 1000W generator, because they're nearly 20 pounds lighter, less DBA and run longer on a tank.

I understand the converter can be switched out for one that requires less power. What's your recommendation, and what would you expect to pay someone to switch it out? What's the downside of a smaller converter?

I'm a DIY type, but when it comes to power I run the other way.


Thank you.

[ZZSPIRAL1]

Thanks for all the replies. I've been gone a while. I always enjoy smkettner's input. He seems to know a lot. Many of you do. To answer one question, I haven't dry camped enough to know how long it takes to charge the batteries, and I just recently purchased a battery meter, so we'll see. Smkettner is right, I prefer the 1000w, if I can get away with it. Seems the converter he recommends, in addition to a 100 W panel might do the trick. But I see some other solid recommendations as well.

I know, I'll get the converter, the panel and a 1000w generator and try it. I can keep the 2000w just in case. Heck, it's only money...............Ha!.

By chance do you know how many watts are required to run this converter? http://www.bestconverter.com/DLS-30-30-Amp-Power-Converter-wIQ4_p_335.html

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Variac + cheap transformer chargers = el maximum possible from small genset

One charger not enough? Add a second. They're cheap

Oops just a bit too much load for the 1,000 watt genset.

Dial back the variac. Dial it back at high altitude

Dial it forward to get those chargers* to climb to 18 amps each when needed.

Desulfate, top charge, you name it.

*Specifically will not work with high frequency chargers. Must be transformer type.


DIALS! THE OTHER WHITE MEAT




Personally I would not get carried away by cranking the variac up and forcing the charger into spontaneous combustion. What the charger will do at home should be what it'll do on a big-enough genset. Dial it in. If the gen gags, dial it back.

[HiTech]

What about just buying the biggest, most efficient automotive style portable battery charger you can run off the 1000, and use it when you have only genset power? Inexpensive and effective.

Also the way they are wired from the factory, your built in unit may never be able to deliver full power over the small factory wires. Anyway to run the batteries way down and do a test?

Jim

[mena661]

smkettner wrote:
mena661, what do you recommend?

Don't bother with the 1000w genny and either get the WFCO to work properly or replace it with something that will ie Iota or Progressive Dynamics. To the OP, is the WFCO charging your batteries? How long does it take?

[time2roll]

mena661, what do you recommend?

[mena661]

smkettner wrote:
Forever is a long time. 30 amps will charge one or two batteries to 90% in 2 to 4 hours.... a lot less than forever.

I think that's part of the point BFL was making. Who wants to run a genny for 4 hrs just to charge batteries? Might as well just run off the genny period.

[time2roll]

BFL13 wrote:
If you get a small enough (low amp instead of 55amp) charger to run on the "1000w" gen, the amps will be so low it will take forever to charge the battery bank.

Forever is a long time. 30 amps will charge one or two batteries to 90% in 2 to 4 hours.... a lot less than forever.

OP seemed to indicate 1000w gen was the preference and will put about 40 amps max into the battery. Sure you can get a PD9140 to be have a few more amps. Or a 40a portable will work fine. IMO the 30a IOTA with the higher boost voltage will be virtually just as fast.

[BFL13]

I have no idea why smk is saying that since he didn't explain himself wrt to what I said. smk usually does make good sense though, so am standing by to hear his analysis.

BTW he just got enough solar to light up the whole Imperial Valley veggie garden, so not sure what is going on. 🙂

[time2roll]

I recommend a 30 amp IOTA with the 1000w Yamaha.

Just connect same as the 8955 removed. Or pay 1 hour max.

http://www.bestconverter.com/DLS-30-30-Amp-Power-Converter-wIQ4_p_335.html

[ZZSPIRAL1]

BFL13 wrote:
A 100w panel will do maybe 6amps mid-day, less earlier and later. 6 amps is two double lamps worth of Rv use--ie not a whole lot. It will certainly help (when the sun is out and you are in the open), but it is not a game changer between a 1000w and a 2000w gen IMO.

If you have a mix of gen/charger and solar, the idea is to do a fast charge with the gen in the morning and let the solar do the rest all day at its low amps before you hit the batts from supper through movies till bedtime and maybe some furnace at night.

That means the 2000w gen and a high amp charger for the short time gen part. It makes no sense to have a long low amp gen run and then a short period of solar at even lower amps.

Okay, thank you.

[BFL13]

A 100w panel will do maybe 6amps mid-day, less earlier and later. 6 amps is two double lamps worth of Rv use--ie not a whole lot. It will certainly help (when the sun is out and you are in the open), but it is not a game changer between a 1000w and a 2000w gen IMO.

If you have a mix of gen/charger and solar, the idea is to do a fast charge with the gen in the morning and let the solar do the rest all day at its low amps before you hit the batts from supper through movies till bedtime and maybe some furnace at night.

That means the 2000w gen and a high amp charger for the short time gen part. It makes no sense to have a long low amp gen run and then a short period of solar at even lower amps.

[ZZSPIRAL1]

BFL13 wrote:
The converter has a power factor of about 0.7, so that 950w input will pull about 1357VA from the gen continuous. That is nearly the continuous rating of the "2000w" gen.

If you get a small enough (low amp instead of 55amp) charger to run on the "1000w" gen, the amps will be so low it will take forever to charge the battery bank.

IMO don't even think about getting a 1000w gen for running a battery charger. It will have to run so long to get the batteries up, you might as well just stay on the gen all day and not run the batteries down in the first place 🙂

I was thinking about adding a 100 W solar panel.

[BFL13]

The converter has a power factor of about 0.7, so that 950w input will pull about 1357VA from the gen continuous. That is nearly the continuous rating of the "2000w" gen.

If you get a small enough (low amp instead of 55amp) charger to run on the "1000w" gen, the amps will be so low it will take forever to charge the battery bank.

IMO don't even think about getting a 1000w gen for running a battery charger. It will have to run so long to get the batteries up, you might as well just stay on the gen all day and not run the batteries down in the first place 🙂

[2oldman]

ZZSPIRAL1 wrote:
What's the downside of a smaller converter? .

Longer charge times.