Onboard Charger vs. Smart Charger

[joeshmoe]

So I have the standard WFCO 8900 series charge/converter (I believe it's the 45 amp model). However, I have a "smart" charger that I prefer to use. It just seems to do a better job charging and maintaining.

Can I bypass the WFCO when I'm using the Honda 2K and just use the smart charger directly to the batteries so as to not suck power from the generator when running the A/C? The generator noticeably kicks up and sometimes goes into overload mode when the WFCO charger tries to start charging the batteries.

[BFL13]

To be clear the WFCO will not "shut down", it stays "on" still drawing some power, but it will not be supplying any amps once the portable gets the battery voltage (as seen by the WFCO after voltage drop along the wires to it) up past the WFCO's voltage. (which can be 14.4 if it is working right as installed)

You can also use your battery disconnect switch to isolate the battery bank while the rig is plugged into the generator so the WFCO supplies 12v to the rig. Then also run the portable clamped to the battery bank to recharge that.(portable also plugged into generator)

You still have the management of the generator's output to figure out, but you can wait till later to recharge the isolated batts but still have 12v for the rig..

[time2roll]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
The WFCO shuts down 100% when it senses another charging voltage source. A parallel charger does not damage the WFCO it merely shuts it down. Same for switched power supplies like the Megawatt and Meanwell.

Yes it shuts down once battery voltage rises to the WFCO set point, typically 13.6 volts. However if you use that charger at low amperage it may take an extended period to reach that voltage. Or you can put the portable up to the 30 amp level for faster charging however that will also load down the generator.

I think the idea is to get the air started and then switch the battery charging on.

[red31]

joeshmoe wrote:

Regarding flipping a breaker to disable converter, I'm not too sure which one that is.

Take to time to label your breakers.

[joeshmoe]

okay. thanks for the replies

[MEXICOWANDERER]

The WFCO shuts down 100% when it senses another charging voltage source. A parallel charger does not damage the WFCO it merely shuts it down. Same for switched power supplies like the Megawatt and Meanwell.

BFL uses his power supplies in parallel thus they have been proven to operate paralleled.

[MrWizard]

with any converter or battery charger
do charging for an hour then start the A/C
don't wait until you need the a/c
'load management' is what is needed
and yes you can turn off the wfco
but unless you are dealing with a 20amp charger versus the wfco
you still have a load problem doing charger and a/c at the same time with 2000w generator

[joeshmoe]

beemerphile1 wrote:
You can use one, or the other, or both at the same time.

If you don't want to use the WFCO, flick the breaker that feeds the converter portion.

I'm curious what size 'smart' portable charger you use in place of the 45a WFCO.

It's a Sears Diehard "microprocessor" charger/maintainer. I don't know. It works better at maintenance than the WFCO. I see 13.6-14.0V way more often on the Sears charger. Picked it up on sale a couple years ago. It's a 2/8/20/30 amp charger w/an 80 amp jump start feature, which has come in darn handy. Can't tell you how effective the equalize/desulfate mode is, but it does send 15.5V into the batts. and seems to keep them going.

Regarding flipping a breaker to disable converter, I'm not too sure which one that is.

[time2roll]

Yes you can bypass or disconnect the WFCO. Once the air is started I would reconnect. By the time the air cycles the battery should be charged enough that WFCO draw would be minimal.

How many amps is the portable? It will also create quite a load depending on rating.

[beemerphile1]

You can use one, or the other, or both at the same time.

If you don't want to use the WFCO, flick the breaker that feeds the converter portion.

I'm curious what size 'smart' portable charger you use in place of the 45a WFCO.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Send the Whiffie to me Chula Vista CA. It'll get a good home powering a rural Mexican streetlight once it gets some upgrades and a fan that actually cools. I donate my time, and materials to make it happen. I have a 200 watt heatsink and pair of 10,500 lumen chips just waiting for a sugar daddy. The heatsink requires 12 volt fans as ball bearing 120vac (Pabst?) units are rather pricey. The crosswalk streetlamp has been in operation 2+ years and the truckers hate it. They can actually see toddlers waddling across the highway even though the brightness may dazzle them. Comision Federal de Electricidad erects lamps and pays for the power. Whew! Waterproof photoelectric switches are not inexpensive either. The twist-lock-terminal kind are garbage in salt tropical air. I use encapsulated. The voltage control of the Whiffie I was using for my bench acted so flaky I would not entrust it to streetlight duty. Good thing too. It smoked.

[Diesel_Camper]

I don't see any problem with that. You could just unplug the wfco from the 120v outlet and abanon it in place. WFCO is junk anyway, add to that a long wire run and you have batteries that never get a full charge.

Edit: You probably still need the WFCO for the converter function, so if it's not on a seperate breaker, you could wire up a 120v switch and just turn off the WFCO when you want to use the smart charger. Running both chargers at the same time could interfere with the smart charger.