Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: campipilot on December 04, 2023, 01:59:09 pm

Title: Power converter dying
Post by: campipilot on December 04, 2023, 01:59:09 pm
My WFCO 65A sounds like it will only kick on for a second or two at least the fan. And I don't seem to be getting charging voltage out of it. I've removed it, but it is riveted together so hard to look inside to see what's wrong. Any suggestions for troubleshooting? I have a nice pro mariner charger I was going to install. I understand these converters simply convert 110 V to 14 V to charge the battery? Is that right? Any suggestions for a replacement?

Title: Re: Power converter dying
Post by: wolfe10 on December 04, 2023, 02:10:30 pm
What is the amp rating of your pro mariner charger?

3 stage charger?

2 battery bank output (I know that was a nice, but not critical feature of the ProMariner charger I used).
Title: Re: Power converter dying
Post by: Dakota Slim on December 04, 2023, 03:34:00 pm
Year and model of coach?
Title: Re: Power converter dying
Post by: P. Wyatt Sabourin on December 04, 2023, 05:22:51 pm
Do you need a converter or a battery charger?
A converter provides 12 volt nominal from 120 VAC and can be used to charge batteries but it is not a battery charger.
A converter provides amps (yours is rated at 65amps) at a fixed voltage (yours is 13.6 volts).
A converter set a 13.6 volts will not charge a discharged battery as rapidly as a charger and will overcharge a fully charged battery if left connected for days or weeks (a battery charger will not overcharge).
I have an Iota 55amp dual voltage converter and do not have a built in battery charger.
I seldom use the Iota converter for charging because I have solar panels for charging batteries.
A battery charger will equalize at 15.6 volts, bulk charge at 14.6 volts, and float charge at 13.4 volts with limited amps.
Have you been charging your batteries with your converter? If yes, you need a battery charger; if no, you need a converter.
Title: Re: Power converter dying
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on December 04, 2023, 05:50:24 pm
What OP shows in his photo is a combination power converter and 3-stage 65A battery charger.

He is soliciting suggestions for a suitable replacement converter/charger.

Installation and user's manual for WFCO WF-9865 linked below:

https://rv52.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/WFCO-RV-Power-Converter-Users-Manual-WF-9835-9845-9855-9865-9875.pdf

Title: Re: Power converter dying
Post by: Doug W. on December 04, 2023, 06:29:06 pm

If needing to upgrade your converter /charger you may want to consider finding one that is compatible with a lithium battery system.
Progressive Dynamics will have what you'll need.


Reliable Power Converters and Battery Charging Systems (https://www.progressivedyn.com) ›
Title: Re: Power converter dying
Post by: campipilot on December 04, 2023, 10:55:50 pm

I absolutely meant to include that. Sorry

'93 U280 Grand Villa
Title: Re: Power converter dying
Post by: campipilot on December 04, 2023, 11:05:16 pm
What is the amp rating of your pro mariner charger?

3 stage charger?

2 battery bank output (I know that was a nice, but not critical feature of the ProMariner charger I used).

It's IP67 rated, single bank ProSport6.  I will have to look at amp rating. I'm on the road now flying for southwest.
I tried to post a picture but can't.
Title: Re: Power converter dying
Post by: campipilot on December 04, 2023, 11:08:48 pm
Do you need a converter or a battery charger?
A converter provides 12 volt nominal from 120 VAC and can be used to charge batteries but it is not a battery charger.
A converter provides amps (yours is rated at 65amps) at a fixed voltage (yours is 13.6 volts).
A converter set a 13.6 volts will not charge a discharged battery as rapidly as a charger and will overcharge a fully charged battery if left connected for days or weeks (a battery charger will not overcharge).
I have an Iota 55amp dual voltage converter and do not have a built in battery charger.
I seldom use the Iota converter for charging because I have solar panels for charging batteries.
A battery charger will equalize at 15.6 volts, bulk charge at 14.6 volts, and float charge at 13.4 volts with limited amps.
Have you been charging your batteries with your converter? If yes, you need a battery charger; if no, you need a converter.

I am somewhat new to this coach, and we were plugged in much of last summer and if we were Boondocking, I was driving it quite a bit.  So we either weren't using much battery power or the engine was charging the battery banks fairly often.  So I assume this was charging my batteries while I was plugged in, but I am not certain. If it wasn't functioning, I guess it was not charging my batteries.
Title: Re: Power converter dying
Post by: campipilot on December 04, 2023, 11:09:34 pm
Do you need a converter or a battery charger?
A converter provides 12 volt nominal from 120 VAC and can be used to charge batteries but it is not a battery charger.
A converter provides amps (yours is rated at 65amps) at a fixed voltage (yours is 13.6 volts).
A converter set a 13.6 volts will not charge a discharged battery as rapidly as a charger and will overcharge a fully charged battery if left connected for days or weeks (a battery charger will not overcharge).
I have an Iota 55amp dual voltage converter and do not have a built in battery charger.
I seldom use the Iota converter for charging because I have solar panels for charging batteries.
A battery charger will equalize at 15.6 volts, bulk charge at 14.6 volts, and float charge at 13.4 volts with limited amps.
Have you been charging your batteries with your converter? If yes, you need a battery charger; if no, you need a converter.

I am just learning how all these systems work
Title: Re: Power converter dying
Post by: campipilot on December 04, 2023, 11:47:03 pm
It's IP67 rated, single bank ProSport6.  I will have to look at amp rating. I'm on the road now flying for southwest.
I tried to post a picture but can't.
Title: Re: Power converter dying
Post by: wolfe10 on December 05, 2023, 08:59:02 am
That shows to be a 6 amp "maintainer":  http://www.promariner.com/-/media/inriver/ProSportHD_Manual_TCHDAT.pdf?modified=20211027183932

It will NOT provide adequate amps to charge your battery bank.

You need either a smart charger OR particularly if you plan to run modern electrical items a smart charger/pure sine wave inverter.

There is no "one size fits all". It depends on how much boondocking vs CG's with shore power are in your plans.
Title: Re: Power converter dying
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on December 05, 2023, 09:50:53 am
That shows to be a 6 amp "maintainer"  It will NOT provide adequate amps to charge your battery bank.
Agree - 6 amp maintainer duty only - it could be used to keep your engine start battery "topped off" when coach is long-term parked, but it is nowhere near big enough to recharge depleted coach batteries.

See Amazon link below:

Amazon.com : ProMariner Prosport 6 Battery Charger, 6 Amp, 12V, Beige... (https://www.amazon.com/ProMariner-Prosport-Battery-Charger-Amp/dp/B00F5EBP8W)