Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Power converter dying  (Read 393 times) previous topic - next topic

Power converter dying

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?

Curtis and Wendy and the baby tortoise SloMo
1993 U280 grand villa
Planes and cars
Boulder City, Nevada

Re: Power converter dying

Reply #1 –
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).
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Power converter dying

Reply #2 –
Year and model of coach?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Power converter dying

Reply #3 –
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.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Power converter dying

Reply #4 –
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

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Power converter dying

Reply #5 –
Quote from: campipilot –
Any suggestions for a replacement?

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 ›
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Power converter dying

Reply #7 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
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.
Curtis and Wendy and the baby tortoise SloMo
1993 U280 grand villa
Planes and cars
Boulder City, Nevada

Re: Power converter dying

Reply #8 –
Quote from: P. Wyatt Sabourin –
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.
Curtis and Wendy and the baby tortoise SloMo
1993 U280 grand villa
Planes and cars
Boulder City, Nevada

Re: Power converter dying

Reply #9 –
Quote from: P. Wyatt Sabourin –
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
Curtis and Wendy and the baby tortoise SloMo
1993 U280 grand villa
Planes and cars
Boulder City, Nevada

Re: Power converter dying

Reply #10 –
Quote from: campipilot –
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.
Curtis and Wendy and the baby tortoise SloMo
1993 U280 grand villa
Planes and cars
Boulder City, Nevada

Re: Power converter dying

Reply #11 –
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.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020
 

Re: Power converter dying

Reply #12 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
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...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"