help understanding converter specs

[aruba]

Hi,

This is what is on the panel of my converter. Does the 55A for output mean that if the trailer is plugged into shore power, it will charge my batteries at 55A? Is that at the top of amp numbers in terms of a good quality converter? Thanks.

[K_Charles]

"As far as being a quality converter, it's not really. I say this because it charges and maintains at that 13.8V no matter what" ?????

WF-8955PEC is a three-stage charger

[Golden_HVAC]

Hi,

WHile it "Can" put out 55 amps, in reality, even my 70 amp charger never gives my 4 golf cart batteries that much power through the #000 wire that connects my inverter/charger to the batteries. A typical RV wiring system will only have #8 or #6 wire (rated around 40 or 50 amps) connected between the battery and converter.

I would be lucky to get out 55 amps for about 10 minutes, then the battery bank starts to raise it's voltage, and soon the charge rate is 45 amps (about 30 minutes after starting my generator) despite the charger putting out 14.2 volts.

The battery charge amperage tapers to only about 30 amps after the second hour of charging. It was well described like a frog jumping to the end of a log. Each jump in the beginning is a long one, but as it gets closer to the end, each movement is a very short one.

So basically when the battery is 50% depleted, you will get the most amp hours per hour of generator run time, while after filling the battery beyond 80% full, it will taper charge to only about 10 amps per hour per battery or less. At 90% full, it will be about 5 amps per hour per battery.

To lessen the generator run time, a 4 battery set up is ideal. More batteries means more weight to move around, and that is not good either. My 440 amp hour capacity can be recharged in a reasonable time, and still provide 2 days between generator run times.

I also have a 300 watt solar system, to recharge the batteries. A pair of 120 watt panels and a 75 watt panel.

Fred.

[Mandalay_Parr]

You can get them all sizes. Yours puts out 55 amps max while mine puts out 100 amps max.

Stay with the same rating. That's what your rig is designed for.

[ScottG]

It means it can put out up to 55 amps at 13.8VDC. If everything is perfect it may be able to deliver that much to the battery but in the real world it's probably somewhat less.
As far as being a quality converter, it's not really. I say this because it charges and maintains at that 13.8V no matter what. Eventually it will boil the batteries dry because of this set voltage. Better converters are referred to as "3 stage" because they charge, maintain and float at different voltages that not only charge faster but will also help the battery last longer.