Time for a new converter

[bpetroni]

I have 2012 Keystone Hideout 27RBWE. My converter is a 12V 55 AMP unit OEM. For some reason my converter stopped working, I confirmed I have 110V going to the unit and the on-board fuse is good. I have been told the OEM units are not that good. I like to dry camp and use a generator to keep my battery charged. Do you have any suggestions for a good converter upgrade that won't break the bank?

Thank You

[myredracer]

You read about people having failed WFCO converters and that they are junk but until it happens to you, you don't think much of it.

Our TT is about 2 1/2 years old and in that time 2 batteries have failed. We were on a road trip in August when the 2nd battery failed and the WFCO had tripped the breaker and smelled like burning insulation. Got Best Converter to ship a PD replacement to the next CG 2 days away in NV. Showed up as promised. Everyone says customer service from Randy is excellent and it is. Upgraded to an AGM purchased at an O-Reilly's in Gilroy and kept it going for a couple of days with a trickle charger. I always suspected the WFCO wasn't working quite right from the day we got the TT but didn't really suspect the battery died because it.

Below is the old WFCO 8955 and the new PD replacement side by side. Just looking at the PD tells you it's better - cooling fins are twice as big, it's got 2 fans instead of one, the caps are physically larger, transformer is larger and one toroidal core is much larger. It's even made in the US. Only took minutes to do the re & re.

[bpetroni]

Thank you all very much for your advice

[_DJ_1]

LJAZ wrote:
I just did this with mine. Original Equipment WFCO 8955 converter gave up the ghost so I replaced it with the Progressive Dynamics PD4655 from Best Converter. Price won't break the bank either.

Another shout out of praise for Best Converter. They set me up with a Progressive Dynamics direct replacement for my obsolete OEM in my TC. Price was very doable!!

[Lspangler]

I went with the powermax and wish I had picked something else. It only bulk charges for 15 minutes then goes to 13.6 volts. When I charge with my generator and I know the batteries are low, I wait for it to change modes. I can hear the generator idle down so I unplug for a minute and plug back in. That forces it into bulk charge again. I might do that 3 or 4 times in the morning

Linc

[time2roll]

bpetroni wrote:
I couldn't figure out what type my converter is because my online searches came up blank for the stamped part# on my unit. But the last four digits are 8955. Thanks for the advice!

yes google wfco 8955 and you will see a picture.

I recommend a PD9260 or 45 or 55 amp IOTA.

http://www.bestconverter.com/ Don't let Randy sell you another WFCO. If using a generator don't get a Powermax either.

[ScottG]

I've been very happy with my PDI 9260.

[bpetroni]

Artum Snowbird wrote:
I do hope you have put your meter leads right onto the converter output terminals. I was plugged in for three days and my battery failed. When I went looking, the converter was putting out full output, and the negative lead was loose under the screw.

Thanks, I wish this was the case but on-board fan won't even turn and the caps are leaking.

[Artum_Snowbird]

If you have to... converter

[LJAZ]

I just did this with mine. Original Equipment WFCO 8955 converter gave up the ghost so I replaced it with the Progressive Dynamics PD4655 from Best Converter. Price won't break the bank either.

[Artum_Snowbird]

I do hope you have put your meter leads right onto the converter output terminals. I was plugged in for three days and my battery failed. When I went looking, the converter was putting out full output, and the negative lead was loose under the screw.

[bpetroni]

SoundGuy wrote:

bpetroni wrote:
My converter is a 12V 55 AMP unit OEM.

Probably a WFCO 8955 which never bulk charges properly at it's claimed 14.4 volts. :M

Do you have any suggestions for a good converter upgrade that won't break the bank?

Forget the bank, get a Progressive Dynamics PD9260 with the included charge wizard. Throw the WFCO in a garbage can. 😛

Thanks, I believe you are correct I couldn't figure out what type my converter is because my online searches came up blank for the stamped part# on my unit. But the last four digits are 8955. Thanks for the advice!

[horton333]

Hi:

Depending on which converter you have ...... these may be good options.

Click her.

These units will do a very good job at a very reasonable price. They fit right in for many of the OEM converters on recent units (esp the 55 Amp models). They do have a higher than normal voltage in bulk charge, which in some (rare) cases may not be desirable but the vast majority of the time this will be a significant advantage if you are actually charging batteries that are used (as opposed to always plugged in where anything will keep them charged).

Click Here

This is a PD upgrade for many of the OEM 55 AMP units out there. It's a brand name, and works well.

If neither is what you need this site has most everything and sending their support an email will get you a quick and informed reply if you have questions.

[SoundGuy]

bpetroni wrote:
My converter is a 12V 55 AMP unit OEM.

Probably a WFCO 8955 which never bulk charges properly at it's claimed 14.4 volts. :M

Do you have any suggestions for a good converter upgrade that won't break the bank?

Forget the bank, get a Progressive Dynamics PD9260 with the included charge wizard. Throw the WFCO in a garbage can. 😛