Power converter

randy69 · 01-09-2013, 05:35 PM

I believe my power converter has a problem. I'am am always plugged in shore and notice my batterys were low in charge and the 12 volt lights were dim. and the gas gauge was fluchuating back and fourth. What I have read is there are fuses on the converter. But it would seem it would put out volts or not. It's barley putting out volts. So If I replace it what brand is better than the other and what about watts bigger the better? Money is not my concern just longivity is. I have disconnected the batterys and converter it barley

puts out. lev 361 keystone raptor

f6bits · 01-09-2013, 05:41 PM

I upgraded mine to a Progressive Dynamics. It was a direct replacement for the WFCO converter I had. They're rated in amps, so mine was a 55 amp and I replaced it with a 55 amp (their largest in that model line).

toprak · 01-22-2013, 01:15 PM

Since your gauge lights are fluctuating, there can be two possibilities, either the wiring is loose from some point which is making them fluctuate or the power converter is not working properly. If the lights are fluctuating at random, it is most probably due to the wiring, check all the connections with the battery and the lights to be tight. If the lights are dim but they get bright as you increase the rpm, your wiring is ok but the power converter is either not supplying enough voltage to the battery or the battery life has ended. Check the output of the converter with a voltmeter and check the battery health as well in that case. As mentioned earlier, since voltage is constant, the rating for these converters is done in amps, the bigger the number, higher will be the wattage; you can get the highest one available if you can afford.

**hankpage** · 01-22-2013, 01:54 PM

If you converter is working intermittently the cooling fan may have failed and the converter turning on and off with thermal protection and will fail completely soon if the fan is not replaced.. As mentioned above the Progressive Dynamics converters are said to be better than WFCO you most likely have now. JM2¢, Hank

smiller · 01-22-2013, 01:54 PM

You really need a voltmeter to tell what is going on, but FWIW my original equipment WFCO converter failed in a similar manner. OEM converters are usually not very good and if reliability is a concern then an upgrade to a better unit is in order, not to mention superior and more consistent charging performance. The Progressive Dynamics line is good, that's what I use and there are a few others as well. Certainly avoid WFCO.

byrdr1 · 01-22-2013, 01:56 PM

Pretty funny, I am having converter problems also. went in to eh camper Saturday am to check it out after the snow storm. and the frig was pulsing & the gas detector was buzzing.
I checked all the fuses and pulled the breaker panel. found the converter behind it mounted to the bulk head (forward or behind) the basement area. I unplugged the wiring from the breaker panel and then waited a while, plugged it all back together & seemed to work. left it alone and went back inside the house. Checked it a couple hours later and the same thing was happening. So I flipped the breaker and left it off 1-19 until yesterday after work 1-21. I flipped it back on and will check it out today.Follow up: I checked the camper out when I got home from work 1-24 and everything was working like it was supposed too?? I guess leaving the breaker off for a few days allowed it to reset its self. All seems to be working now!
The converter will cut its-self off if it detects short circuit in the 12 v wiring. I have poured over the manual online earlier today. have it all printed now. the bad thing is I cant get the slide to open so I will have a little more work area with my big self. I will check it today and if nothing is working i will assume the converter is DOA. around 150.00 for a new one, BUT now I need to look at these progressive Dynamic brand.
WFCO9800 series is what I have now not sure of the amp rating without taking everything apart again.
PLUS I need to walk to my storage building and get the battery charger, hook it up and this will help me in the short term.
Checked camper out again this weekend all 12v power dead. convertor not working at all. nothing 12v works. so its time to buy a new one.. I did attach my 12v charger to the battery so I can open it up, but Sunday I got sick and just stayed in the house all day. So we will see whats up later this week..

randy69 · 02-15-2013, 01:35 PM

Yes it was the power converter voltage reads good untill you put a load on it
So looking at power converters with just a 2 year warrenty I decided to go with the boondocker (PowerMax 75 amp) 3 year warrenty And it does plug into the wfco distrubition box but the this converter is a little wider. So I have to find a better place for it.

byrdr1 · 02-26-2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byrdr1

Pretty funny, I am having converter problems also. went in to eh camper Saturday am to check it out after the snow storm. and the frig was pulsing & the gas detector was buzzing.
I checked all the fuses and pulled the breaker panel. found the converter behind it mounted to the bulk head (forward or behind) the basement area. I unplugged the wiring from the breaker panel and then waited a while, plugged it all back together & seemed to work. left it alone and went back inside the house. Checked it a couple hours later and the same thing was happening. So I flipped the breaker and left it off 1-19 until yesterday after work 1-21. I flipped it back on and will check it out today.Follow up: I checked the camper out when I got home from work 1-24 and everything was working like it was supposed too?? I guess leaving the breaker off for a few days allowed it to reset its self. All seems to be working now!
The converter will cut its-self off if it detects short circuit in the 12 v wiring. I have poured over the manual online earlier today. have it all printed now. the bad thing is I cant get the slide to open so I will have a little more work area with my big self. I will check it today and if nothing is working i will assume the converter is DOA. around 150.00 for a new one, BUT now I need to look at these progressive Dynamic brand.
WFCO9800 series is what I have now not sure of the amp rating without taking everything apart again.
PLUS I need to walk to my storage building and get the battery charger, hook it up and this will help me in the short term.
Checked camper out again this weekend all 12v power dead. convertor not working at all. nothing 12v works. so its time to buy a new one.. I did attach my 12v charger to the battery so I can open it up, but Sunday I got sick and just stayed in the house all day. So we will see whats up later this week..

With my other problem on another thread. I decided to pull my breaker panel box and find my convertor. The WFCO convertor is mounted to the wall behind the panel box with 3 screws. Removed the panel box and all the wiring to get the WFCO convertor out and it is a 55amp convertor. I ordered a Progressive Dynamic 9260 to replace it with. Just in case someone else is wondering what size convertor you have on these 50amp 5er's.
Still trying to decide if I should order the Pendent module that goes along with it.. We'll see?? I made sure all screws and locking lugs were all tight in the panel box. I am waiting on the new convertor to arrive in the mail now.
randy

smiller · 02-26-2013, 01:50 PM

I would get the pendant module, it's nice to have a visual confirmation of what mode the charger is in, and be able to switch modes manually if desired.

f6bits · 02-26-2013, 05:26 PM

I didn't get the pendant. I can see the LED through the small window in the breaker panel door and I can open that door to push the button to switch modes.

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