Wolf Creek 840 Goes Lithium

[Ranger_Tim]

Let me start by saying that I’m not an RV guru and definitely not an expert on electrical stuff. I have just enough handy skills to be able to use a screwdriver and a wrench. Everything else is usually a voyage of discovery.

We bought a 2016 Wolf Creek new and I loaded it with two 100 amp hour AGM batteries. They have given me a good service life but after 7 years I figured it was time to replace them. That meant trying to find a LiFePO2 solution in order to take advantage of the newer tech and better service life and output. I do not have deep pockets and cannot afford to buy batteries that will cost me multiple thousands of dollars, along with having state of the art connectors, etc. I needed a simple, cheap, yet effective solution. So I searched the net for products, watched Will Prowse and others on YT, and came up with what works for me and my wallet.

I had already bought a 100 Ah LiFePO4 ($219) for my trolling motor and was delighted with the performance, so I went back to them only to discover they had a newer model that was a smaller footprint with the same specs (100Ah Mini $249). I measured and found I could put three of them into the box instead of two, giving me 300 Ah! I ordered two and did a trial fit, then ordered number three. It worked well. The three just fit with plenty of space above for cabling.

Next I ordered the wrong WFCO converter replacement. Sent it back while ordering the correct one. It cost around $150 bucks. I know there are other vendors that have more reliable, better reputations, etc., but my original worked fine and it was cheap. Cheap and easy is important remember? It was a direct fit and required no wire cutting or other mods. I followed the instructions on the WFCO site with no difficulties. Five wires and Done! 300Ah of storage where there once was 200. I am a happy camper.

As soon as I sit at the desktop I will post pictures of the installed batts and the products. I figured there is bound to be someone else like me out there that is looking for a no-brained way to go Lithium. Be sure to kill all the power to the camper, 12v, generator and shore power before working on this stuff. This complete setup cost me about $1100, it would be 850 with the 3rd battery left out. Shipping was fast and free. They ship with reduced charge, so be sure to take that into consideration.

Before flaming me with shoulda-coulda posts remember that not all of us have the knowledge or skills that others display. If there are better, cheaper and easier ways to do this please post so others can benefit. Good luck to everyone!

[Grit_dog]

I never had a Wafco until a 2017 camper. And it s ucked big time. They were **** in 2017 anyways lol.
They are fine for those who are plugged in all the time. Junk for everyone else.

[MORSNOW]

My 2014 Wolf Creek 850 also came with a WFCO power center. I used to hear people bash WFCO as a ticking time bomb, but in the 11 seasons of use, mine has been perfect. I've also not seen a single person say they have had a modern WFCO failure, maybe they stepped up their game and fixed their past issues?

[Ranger_Tim]

The AGM batteries (2) that I was using are still working. One of them only holds at 12.8 or less 30 minutes after charging to full. I don’t like to wait until batteries are so fatigued they ruin a trip. A third battery from the same batch I bought in 2016 also began showing signs of failure, so I decided it was time to make the change. I said that I was cheap, not broke! While spending big on batts like Battle Born would be great I just couldn’t do it. We’ll see if I blew my money on unreliable cheap stuff and I regret it. I will be sure to report problems.

The WFCO converter in my Wolf Creek is original equipment. It has been reliable and in use continuously - the camper has always been plugged in to shore power during storage for battery maintenance and portable heat to keep it dry during winter. I am ignorant as to the brand’s reputation. I am keeping the original board as an emergency replacement. It’s a simple switch. I am interested to see how the auto-detect performs in recognizing the LiFePO4 batts. Some people report problems getting it to work.

As far as charging voltage recommendations for LiFePO4, available advice was all over the map. I don’t know whom to believe so I just took the batt company’s recommendation that 14.4-14.6 was adequate. I’ll know soon enough if they get full or not. The main benefit of the upgrade is still a significant increase in useable current storage compared to lead acid with considerably less weight. This also makes us less dependent on a generator. Now I will only carry a genny if we want to operate the ac.

[ticki2]

I must be reading it wrong but the specs on that alto converter seem to say that the LA battery is charging at 14.4 and the lid pro is charging at 14.6 volts . That seems backward .

[Grit_dog]

Nice install.
Couple peculiarities I wonder about though.
You specifically mention to us how you’re on a strict budget, yet you replaced batteries that according to you were still good. With a setup that has worked for you for years as is.
This was more of a commentary than a question. You know, since you brought it up.
Second is a question, did Arctic Fox actually cheap out on the converters in their cheap models? That’s BS. Although it must either work great or you don’t know the difference if you’ve been fine with the WafCO for so long.

[MORSNOW]

Thank you Ranger Tim for sharing your upgrade! I'll also be following your updates to see how it works out for you, I really like your converter solution.

[Bedlam]

Nice upgrade. I would not be surprised if you doubled usable capacity since you can run those batteries down more than AGM. I still get a supply of used AGM batteries I use till the next batch is available, so my cost is time and possible different connectors based on the batteries. I know this will dry up after the next batch, so I watch posts like yours for simpler less expensive solutions.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

A nice clean install. I hope it will serve you well.

[ScottG]

Nice stuff. Redodo is known to be top notch.

[jimh406]

Let us know how you like it after you take a few trips.

[Ranger_Tim]

This converter replacement is specific to my 55 amp model. There are several others that use the same type, just different Amps.



There was plenty of space to get them into the box, although you would need to remove the center battery to access the other two.



This is the battery that I used. There are other examples of similar size from other vendors that would work. And no, these do not have a low temperature charging cut-off protection circuit in the BMS. I usually remove the batteries for the winter, so I will just put an older AGM into it for the cold season. Besides, the battery box is not going to go below freezing while we are in the camper, and if it does I'll just disconnect from shore power to protect them.