Is a converter upgrade necessary anymore?

[DB_Cooper]

We upgraded our last 2008 Tahoe because the Parallax converter would take a day to charge 2 6-volt batteries. We went with a Progressive Dynamics 4-stage that worked really well. We are getting ready to pick up our 2018 GD Imagine 2800BH and it has a WD-8955PEC. The website says it’s a 3-stage that charges at 14.4 volts. I would think that would be adequate for dry camping. Any experiences with these units? Thanks.

[time2roll]

Bobbo wrote:

DB Cooper wrote:
The website says it’s a 3-stage that charges at 14.4 volts.

If you research a little deeper, it is 3 stage if you get the optional part# 4400TAU TempAssure Upgrade Kit. If it doesn't have the optional part, it is just another single stage charger. Does your RV have the optional part?

That 4400TAU is a Parallax part. DB has a WFCO.

[Bobbo]

.

[315RLTSinPA]

I just changed the WFCO to a PD9260 in our 2018 Grand Design. Same problem, never changed from 13.6 volt. The WFCO would never fully charge our 6 volt batteries.

[Huntindog]

My WFCO was always at 13.6. I could have gotten by without the 14.4, but it not going to float (13.2) was the deal breaker for me. In Phoenix's high summer temps the batteries boiled off too much water.

I went with the boondocker, and it has been flawless for quite a few years now.

I have owned a couple of PDs. One quit on me, so I have a 50% success rate with them.

[gmw_photos]

SidecarFlip wrote:
My WFCO has been just fine. I must have a prototype model..... lol It's getting a PD upgrade this winter just because I have no trust in it.

I guess I must have got the sister prototype unit that you did Flip. My WFCO has also been fine. It goes to over 14V only if the battery has been run quite low. Otherwise it just goes to 13.6, then after about 24 hours, drops to 13.0 to 13.2.

I picked up my trailer on Nov 15, 2011. I watched the guy at the dealership put the AGM battery on the tongue. The same battery is still there....charged by the WFCO, and still holds a charge fine.

At times it's on for months at a time, like when I am parked in AZ for the winter. At other times, it sits for a few weeks to a few months at a time with no shore power hooked to it.

If I did a lot of boondocking, I might have had different results. Also, if I would have done boondocking, I would have approached the whole thing differently, as in, I would have had two batteries and solar.

PS, I did put a battery disconnect switch at the battery box so I can totally disconnect it while it sits at home w/o the shore power connected.

[DB_Cooper]

Bobbo wrote:
I met another RV.NETter in a campground in Monument Valley about a month ago, and he told me his WFCO never went into boost mode. I told him that WFCO converters were known for that. I told him that if he wants fast, efficient charging, swap it out for a PD4655V. The same advice applies to you.

That's what I put in our last trailer. I posted a DIY a few years ago:
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/25064573/print/true.cfm

[DB_Cooper]

Thanks for all the replies. It doesn't sound like people are too happy with this unit. This was the web site I was referring to: https://wfcoelectronics.com/product/wf-8955-55-amp/

At least they have "new decorative doors".

[sgfrye]

SoundGuy wrote:
WFCO's 8955 is no different than it's ever been, mine never charges beyond ~ 13.7 volts, turned it off and instead use a stand alone CTEK charger that does a proper 14.4 volt bulk charge.

yep our wfco 8955 never charges past 13.7 either. when it dies i will upgrade but because we don't boondock or dry camp it has served us and the 2 cheapo wally world 12v deep cycle batteries ok... our fridge is residential so xantrex freedom inverter and the 2 12 volts have been all we needed on longer road trips.

[SidecarFlip]

My WFCO has been just fine. I must have a prototype model..... lol It's getting a PD upgrade this winter just because I have no trust in it.

[time2roll]

DB Cooper wrote:
The website says it’s a 3-stage that charges at 14.4 volts.

Bring your voltmeter to verify.
Please post the results.

[Bobbo]

I met another RV.NETter in a campground in Monument Valley about a month ago, and he told me his WFCO never went into boost mode. I told him that WFCO converters were known for that. I told him that if he wants fast, efficient charging, swap it out for a PD4655V. The same advice applies to you.

jerseyjim wrote:
I have a Parallax 4455. No problems, charges the batteries just fine.

just FWIW

If you always have hookups, and watch the batteries closely to keep the electrolyte from boiling out, the Parallax is fine. If you boondock and run your batteries down to 50% charge, then use a generator to get them back up quickly so you can keep boondocking, the Parallax won’t cut the mustard. My PD4655V will take my two AGM Group 24 batteries from 50% SOC to 90% SOC in 4 hours +/-, while the Parallax would take all day or more. It will also boil your batteries dry if left on in storage for extended periods. It all depends on your style of camping and how closely you watch your batteries.

(OP, been jumping out of any airliners recently? :))

[SoundGuy]

GrandpaKip wrote:
Our WFCO never goes above 3.7V either. Probably replace it this winter with the PD 4655.

I'm sure you mean 13.7 volts. 😉 For sure, one can replace the converter entirely but one issue that concerned me is that very few converters offer temperature compensated charging. East Penn which manufactured my DEKA G31 AGM battery warns that temp compensated charging is a requirement, not an option, in which case simply turning off the stock WFCO and using a stand alone charger that does offer compensated charging seems like the better choice to me. Also less work to make the change. :B

[GrandpaKip]

Our WFCO never goes above 3.7V either. Probably replace it this winter with the PD 4655.

[jerseyjim]

I have a Parallax 4455. No problems, charges the batteries just fine.

just FWIW

[SoundGuy]

WFCO's 8955 is no different than it's ever been, mine never charges beyond ~ 13.7 volts, turned it off and instead use a stand alone CTEK charger that does a proper 14.4 volt bulk charge.