Converter/charger problem

[dmar]

We're currently camping at our property in the NC mountains in our 2010 Cougar 27RLS 5th wheel. It appears that the charger has failed. A couple days after we got here the furnace wouldn't start. I checked the battery and voltage was down to 10v. I put my portable charger on it and everything works again, so I think the on board charger must be inop.
We can get along fine using the portable charger for this trip but at some point I'll need to get it fixed. My question is, it reasonable to replace only the converter part so I can avoid all the wiring involved in a complete replacement? It's a WFCO Ultra III WD 8900 series.

[chuckster57]

Yes you should be able to get just the bottom portion ( converter)

https://wfcoelectronics.com/product-...e-main-boards/

[dmar]

Looks like I need the 8955 part. Thanks for the help. 5 wires will be a lot better than however many it takes to replace the whole thing. Especially lying on the floor the whole time.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by dmar

Looks like I need the 8955 part. Thanks for the help. 5 wires will be a lot better than however many it takes to replace the whole thing. Especially lying on the floor the whole time.

I agree. Unplug from shore power AND disconnect the battery(s) first.

[dmar]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I agree. Unplug from shore power AND disconnect the battery(s) first.

Yes sir. I've been jolted a few times over the years and don't care to do it again.

[GHen]

And of course you checked all the fuses…do you have power going to the charger?

[dmar]

Oddly enough, it seems to be working now. Its on good shore power (123v), I verified the fuses are good and disconnected the battery. The 2 year old battery seems to be fully charged at 12.5v. I have 13.4v at the battery cables (without battery). However, when I turn on any 12v light, the voltage drops to 9.5 or so. Without the battery, it won't light the furnace. So it'll light 12v bulbs but not ignite the furnace. But I don't know if that's normal.
So now I've reconnected the battery and everything seems to be ok and the furnace lights now. However, with the battery connected, I'm only showing 12.5v. if the converter is putting out 13.4, I think that would show up at the battery, unless the converter drops out when a fully charged battery is in the loop. Since I don't know what's normal for a WFCO converter it's hard to say. Anyway, we should be ok for tonight's freeze, and I have a good portable charger just in case.

[dmar]

I found a number for tech support, and they said it is supposed to keep everything going without a battery, so the converter is going bad. I won't bother trying to figure it out and just replace it.