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New converter, or whole power center?

SaraL2282
Explorer
Explorer
Hi all,
I have a 1988 Class C with the older Magnetek 6300A power center. I'd like to upgrade the converter, and see I can do that for around $130. I also see I can get a whole new power center, a WFCO for about $20 more.
In your opinion, what would be the better option, and why?
Thanks!
Sara
22 REPLIES 22

Lynnmor
Explorer
Explorer
time2roll wrote:
Lynnmor wrote:
Perhaps this is what you want: Upgrade Kit
This is a WFCO based kit.


Sorry, I couldn't see the label well till I zoomed in on it. I thought that Randy would sell a better upgrade than that.

sparkydave
Explorer
Explorer
Sorry to hijack a little, but has WFCO quality gone down or are they usually iffy? The 8712 in my popup has been working fine for 15 years. I'll keep a closer eye on it if they are known to be problematic.

BFL13
Explorer II
Explorer II
Beware of upgrade kits that replace the lower portion, which is the converter part. Some are WFCOs (Ultra is one name WFCO uses) and some are 7300s (better than the 6300, but same single voltage at 13.8. Look for the PowerMax (or Boondocker) or PD replacements, which have proper converters to them.

Notice where you must either replace the 6300's DC fuse panel or "jumper" it so it is no longer a "split panel". If you replace it, then you are half way there to what you need to do if you get the whole new power centre, but that is a bunch of wiring work. Depends on what you know or who you know for getting that all done.

Or you can just leave everything alone and use a portable charger instead. You can also get a deck mount converter and use it instead of the lower portion.

With the 1991 Class C, I chose to use a deck mount converter and jumper the 6300's fuse panel, leaving the 6300 converter there but disconnected.

It makes a difference what to recommend if you go off grid a lot or always have shore power. If off grid you will want an inverter to wire in with the new converter. That means you can even get an inverter/charger as another way to do it. I prefer to have the inverter separate from the converter (in case one breaks it is less costly to fix that)
1. 1991 Oakland 28DB Class C
on Ford E350-460-7.5 Gas EFI
Photo in Profile
2. 1991 Bighorn 9.5ft Truck Camper on 2003 Chev 2500HD 6.0 Gas
See Profile for Electronic set-ups for 1. and 2.

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
Lynnmor wrote:
Perhaps this is what you want: Upgrade Kit
This is a WFCO based kit.

myredracer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Ditto on WFCO being junk. Ours lasted just 3 seasons and destroyed the battery too. They have a bad reputation for not charging like they're supposed to.

Like many say, call Randy at bestconverter.com We got a Progressive Dynamics converter replacement module from him and they just slip in where the old one is.

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
Do not get a WFCO upgrade. Do not get a WFCO power center.

Far and away money better spent on Progressive Dynamics either way.
Why? Because the PD actually works as designed for true three stage charging. WFCO is about the same as your 6300 with a few more amps to the battery.

PD4645 upgrade

PD4045 complete power center

If you have more than two batteries and charge with a generator consider a higher amp rating. You may need to upgrade the wire if you do.

Lynnmor
Explorer
Explorer
Perhaps this is what you want: Upgrade Kit

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
WFCO is garbage and I repair converters. Do yourself a favor and pay attention to what others recommend on this thread ๐Ÿ™‚