Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS Charger/Converter Question

[Josephus]

Currently have one deep cycle marine battery, but thinking of swapping out for an AGM 100 amp hr RV battery. Do I need to also switch out the stock charger/converter for a 3 stage? Can't find anything detailing what type of converter came with the unit?

[GrandpaKip]

theoldwizard1 wrote:

Josephus wrote:
Currently have one deep cycle marine battery, but thinking of swapping out for an AGM 100 amp hr RV battery. Do I need to also switch out the stock charger/converter for a 3 stage? Can't find anything detailing what type of converter came with the unit?

Marine/RV 12 dual purpose batteries are NOT true deep cycle. The only true deep cycle batteries that are readily available are 6V golf cart batteries. They can handle more charge/discharge cycle that other batteries. You can but AGM 6V golf cart batteries, but they are expensive and you will likely have to special order them from a solar company or golf cart store.

SoundGuy wrote:
You have a WFCO8955 converter which unfortunately won't ever reach it's advertised 14.4 volt bulk charge rate, with the most it being able to do being ~ 13.7 volts. I simply turned mine off and instead used a stand alone CTEK charger that can do a proper 14.4 volt bulk charge.

Concur !

GrandpaKip wrote:
I have the same WFCO and will be swapping in a Progressive Dynamics converter with the Charge Wizard later this year.

Either get a GOOD multi-stage stand alone charger or upgrade the whole converter/charger !

The PD w/ Charge Wizard is a 4 stage charger with a converter. It replaces the WFCO charger/converter. And it is made in the US.. I did the swap in a previous camper. And, most important, it adds another light to the electronic blinking show on the wall.

[SoundGuy]

totaldla wrote:
Why are manufacturers still installing the WFCO? It certainly appears to a sub-standard component.

Should be obvious - cost. The vast majority of trailers sold will leave the dealers' lots with a garden variety G24 flooded battery and will more often than not be plugged into campground shore power anyway. For these people a WFCO is "good enough".

[totaldla]

Why are manufacturers still installing the WFCO? It certainly appears to a sub-standard component.

[theoldwizard1]

Josephus wrote:
Currently have one deep cycle marine battery, but thinking of swapping out for an AGM 100 amp hr RV battery. Do I need to also switch out the stock charger/converter for a 3 stage? Can't find anything detailing what type of converter came with the unit?

Marine/RV 12 dual purpose batteries are NOT true deep cycle. The only true deep cycle batteries that are readily available are 6V golf cart batteries. They can handle more charge/discharge cycle that other batteries. You can but AGM 6V golf cart batteries, but they are expensive and you will likely have to special order them from a solar company or golf cart store.

SoundGuy wrote:
You have a WFCO8955 converter which unfortunately won't ever reach it's advertised 14.4 volt bulk charge rate, with the most it being able to do being ~ 13.7 volts. I simply turned mine off and instead used a stand alone CTEK charger that can do a proper 14.4 volt bulk charge.

Concur !

GrandpaKip wrote:
I have the same WFCO and will be swapping in a Progressive Dynamics converter with the Charge Wizard later this year.

Either get a GOOD multi-stage stand alone charger or upgrade the whole converter/charger !

[GrandpaKip]

I have the same WFCO and will be swapping in a Progressive Dynamics converter with the Charge Wizard later this year. Just put in the PI EMS. I’m slowly getting the electrics the way I want them.

[Josephus]

Thanks SoundGuy- I may just try something similar.

[SoundGuy]

Josephus wrote:
Currently have one deep cycle marine battery, but thinking of swapping out for an AGM 100 amp hr RV battery. Do I need to also switch out the stock charger/converter for a 3 stage? Can't find anything detailing what type of converter came with the unit?

You have a WFCO8955 converter which unfortunately won't ever reach it's advertised 14.4 volt bulk charge rate, with the most it being able to do being ~ 13.7 volts. I simply turned mine off and instead used a stand alone CTEK charger that can do a proper 14.4 volt bulk charge. When I replaced my aging G27 flooded battery earlier this year I mounted a G31 DEKA AGM in the front pass through storage compartment, partly to place it out of sight, out of mind, partly because as an AGM it needs no maintenance, and partly because that reduced the cable run from the battery to the inverter input from 6' to ~ 18". Pics are in my gallery.