WFCO Converter Fan

bjarnold wrote:
I recently replaced the faulty 10 year old WFCO 55 amp converter in my trailer with a new WFCO 45 amp.

I have to ask:
Since you have been a member here for about TWELVE YEARS, why in the world would you replace your converter/charger with one of a LOWER capacity and a brand with such a bad reputation ???

Yes the fan speed varies on current draw on mine also (WFCO 40). I replaced mine a couple years ago, and regret it after buying an amp meter recently.
Fun fact:
With both batts just below 50% (12v rested) and plugging my 40a wfco in, it will put 40 amps out measured at the batteries!
...it steadily drops to 25 amps after a couple minutes, 20a after 10 minutes, and down at 9 amps in about 4 hours.
It was still pushing 3 amps 10 hours later...

WFCO modified the Power converters a few years ago to have the cooling fan kick on quicker. I guess WFCO believed that the high failure rate of their early Converters was due to overheating. So, yes, that fan kicks on almost immediately. Also, I have fewer failures of the WFCO in the past 3 or 4 years due to that modification. Doug

Except Wfcos are hardly known for their longevity, or fast battery chargng performance

Having 3 of them on the shelf, I'm well aware of this. I was just answering the question about the fan running. With the OP just having installed the replacement, the horse is already out of the barn, as the saying goes. With 10 years of service, the OP's WFCO has done perfectly well, longevity-wise. Having had a good experience, there was no compelling reason for the OP to seek out advice. With the fan running in an unusual way (to him), he sought out advice.

WFCO, Ok converter--terrible battery charger. You should have consulted here first for advice.

I replaced the noisy fan in my WFCO with a quieter ball bearing fan. I guess they save about $.75 or less using the cheaper version.

Next time you replace the WFCO, try a Progressive Dynamics, the 4600 line replaces JUST the electronics, the 9200 if it is a stand alone converter (not part of the power distribution panel).

Fans run based on one of two things. As someone said Up-Tread, Current out and "Room Temp" The Room, is of course the inside of the converter housing

Since the fan is a 12 volt device... Mine will run even without shore power (Progressive Dynamics) if the sun heats the chamber it's in hot enough. and it does, often.

Why did you go power amp its just going to work harder

road-runner wrote:
A pretty good system, IMO, keeping the heat down proactively instead of reacting after it has built up.

Except Wfcos are hardly known for their longevity, or fast battery chargng performance

I have employed a Fan that I took from a failed WfCo. 80MM high rpm, and LOUD. ADDA labelled and it consumes nearly 0.35 amps IIRC. I use it with some Noctua fan inline resistor cables to quieten it down and reduce electrical consumption to tolerable levels in winter time and in summer remove them.

I have quieter 80MM fans which move similar amounts of air, for less current consumed.

The fan runs based on the converter's output current. A pretty good system, IMO, keeping the heat down proactively instead of reacting after it has built up.