WFCO-8955PEC unusual charging behaviour - is this normal?

[crazyjpeters]

Big Love wrote:
I have two TTs that came with WFCO converters. Neither one could get into 14.4 volts for fast charging of a depleted battery and neither one got into 13.2 trickle charge mode once fully charged. They both only provided 13.6 volts constantly. This is not ideal for battery life and could eventually lead to premature battery failure. For only a few dollars more, many of us upgraded to the true 4 mode PD charger, which automatically monitors and keeps the battery in good shape using different voltages, and also has an automatic desulfation mode for longer battery life.
I agree that if you only camp with full hookups, the WFCO may function adequately, but if you dry camp, the upgrade is worthwhile.

So, this pretty much describes what I'm fighting with. With an added complication that, rather than switching into float/trickle, it just seems to give up completely and lets the battery drain down until fully discharged. I seem to have to disconnect and reconnect the battery to shock the converter into doing its job.

When we bought the trailer 2nd hand, the battery must have already been damaged, since I added a crazy amount of water to it. I really wonder if I can even bring the thing back to life.

My mother in law wants to use the trailer to do a 4 day dry camp. Not sure how I should handle this:

1) try to restore battery and replace converter with pd-4655 and send her on her way.
2) assume battery is toast, hope converter works and replace battery with 2x 6v GC2 batteries (Costco)
3) assume whole system is buggered, get 2x 6v GC2 batteries (Costco) and replace WFCO with PD-4655

Is the WFCO really such a POS? I find it hard to believe so many trailer manufacturers get away with using it if it's such junk.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[crazyjpeters]

Thanks everyone. PD 4655 is coming

[siamese]

Oh boy, my Progressive Dynamics convertor/charger just arrived today via UPS. Brought the trailer home for the storage facility, and will begin the the swap-out.

We just got our trailer a month ago. When the dealer did the walk-thrrough with me, I asked if the charger is a "smart" charger, and if so, does it really do a good job, or is it something a serious boon-docker will need to swap out.

Oh, by the way, my WFCO is a model 8955, like the OP's.

He obviously didn't know a smart charger from a trickle charger. But after a little thought, he decided it's an excellent unit, and should work just fine. He also said the WFCO used in our Jayco 26bh is a $1000.00 unit!!

Ya gotta love it (note sarcasm) when a guy can tell a huge lie, and not even care if you find out the next day that he's full of black tank contents.

[time2roll]

Yes it is very common and normal for the WFCO to NOT operate as advertised or as expected.
Best solution is replacement with a different brand. IOTA, PD, or PowerMax.

[rbpru]

If you bought a used TT with a questionable battery replace the battery.

Unless your mother in law is used to camping on battery power, you have no idea how long the batteries will last.

A pair of six volts will last longer but how much longer is a dependent on the user.

Our TT battery will last us two days which is about a long as we care to camp without the 120 volt appliances.

[CaLBaR]

My WFCO just died and I replaced it with a Boondocker per Randy's suggestion at Bestconvertor. Very easy swap out took about 1/2 hour. Once replaced it went to the 14.3 V as soon as I turned it on and the next morning it was at 13.11 V. Bit of a drop from the convertor to the batteries. I know I just installed it but so far works as advertised.

If you know the converter is bad and the battery was neglected I would not chance 4 days of dry camping. Replace both.

[azrving]

I find it hard to believe so many trailer manufacturers get away with using it if it's such junk.

Less money. Lasts through warranty. The crowd isn't always right.

Save yourself a lot of aggravation and get a PD or boondocker. I believe mine is a PD4655 and has the boost button that can manually put it in boost 14.4 volts. I just ran my six GC2 batteries down 270 amp hours and kicked the PD on and it quietly went though a complete charge. No smell, no screaming fan, no blown fuses and it was maxed out. PD concentrates on charging batteries and NOT on trying to make world friendship.

They want your friendship all right, straight out of your wallet and into the trash can.

[Huntindog]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Option 3


DO yourself a favor and replace converter AND battery.

DO you REALLY want to send MIL off with KNOWN issues and then hear about it for the rest of your LIFE :S

THIS.
And PD is not the only other option. I have owned a couple of them. I replaced my WFCO with a Powermax. IMO, it is better than the PDs.

The only advantage the PDs have is the ability to switch modes manually, if you have the pendant.

If you let them run on auto pilot, I think the PM is better.

[Old-Biscuit]

Option 3


DO yourself a favor and replace converter AND battery.

DO you REALLY want to send MIL off with KNOWN issues and then hear about it for the rest of your LIFE :S

[stickdog]

I don't know if the WFCO is a pos and I'm not sure what converter was in our 5er but it died after 8 years. While is was functioning I had to add water every two weeks. I replaced it with 55 amp PD and watering went down to ever 6 weeks. The batteries were of unknown age as the 5er was 6 years old when purchased. The following year I replaced both batteries and in 5 years I have only added water twice. We are fulltime and usually on full hookups.