mtndocker
Windsor, CO
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Howdy All! Just joined the forum and love the wealth of knowledge I read here.
I just purchased a 2006 Surveyor TT and it appears to have the common no-bulk charge problem with the wfco 8955. The max voltage at battery is 13.5V - no matter how low my battery is. I plan on doing a lot of boondock camping so want a charger that will charge two 6V Trojan T-145 batteries quickly using a Yahmaha2400 generator - and of course maintain the batteries while parked at home using shorepower. If possible I'd like to continue to use the wfco's to distribute AC/DC power and handle the fuses.
Anyway here's a couple of options I'm considering..
#1 - Install a Truecharge 40+
I've heard really good things about this charger - very fast - and I like the temperature sensor and remote panel. However don't know how difficult this is to install? How to disconnect the wfco charger? Then running AC to the Truecharge located in the front of my trailer.
#2 - Install the Inteli-Power 4600 Converter/Charger
This also appears to be a good solution and appears to be easier to install, because I'd be replacing my wfco charger. However I've heard the Truecharge is the fastest charger out there and really like the battery temp sensor option.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Chris Bell
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MrWizard
Van Nuys, Ca
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IF i was replacing the wfco, i would most likely get the truecharge of the (2) you mentioned
however how many batteries do you have and what is the final voltage, have you measured it? does it reach 14+ when the battery-ies are nearly charged ?
One battery might not pull enough amps charge rate to cause the bulk mode to kick in, you might be charging at 30amps at 13.5 volts
how many hrs charge time is neede before the wfco thinks the battery is charge and goes to float mode ?
Options, always have options, and the journey goes much smoother
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pritch272
Martinez, GA
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Joined: 03/18/2006
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I seem to recall reading something about if the size of the wire is not sufficient, there will be issues in being able to use all available charge modes. I thought I read this about this unit, and that in fact it is a good 3-stage unit if wired properly.
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bob213
Fresno, CA
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Contact Randy at www.bestconverters.com. He will guide you to the right unit . He had a xantrex that was a direct replacement for my WFCO. Only had to change the converter not the panel.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Instead of the Xantrex Truecharge look at the Xantrex XADC-60. Actually the 40 would be enough but it sounds like you want to get the batteries charged in minimum time. The PD is good except it will taper off the amps long before it hits the 14.4 volts peak. If you really want a PD get 70 or 80 amps. Too bad they did not give you a 35 amps WFCO as it would probably charge faster in boost than the 55 in normal mode.
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mtndocker
Windsor, CO
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Is there a good source of information for installing the Truecharge? Specifically describing how to install next to a currently installed converter/charger system? Truecharge's installation instructions don't provide this information.
Thanks.
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mtndocker
Windsor, CO
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Thanks for your reply MrWizard. Right now I only have one, new, size 24 Interstate 12V. The output voltage never goes above 13.5V and I don't have an amp meter so I don't know the amperage. Come spring I plan to upgrade to two Trojan T-145 6v batts(wired in series of course) with a rating of 270 amphrs.
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mtndocker
Windsor, CO
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Hi pritch272, the wiring is factory original and was done at the Forest River Surveyor factory. It's 6 awg which should provide plenty of power. And yes,it's a wfco 8955 and therefore a 3 stage unit.
Thanks!
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MrWizard
Van Nuys, Ca
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keep researching, i would hold off on the converter replacement until I installed the (2) new batteries, you might find that when you bring them down, they have enough load to kick the wfco into bulk mode
sometimes putting a load across the battery-ies ( like an inverter with PC or TV etc ) will cause the converter to kick into bulk mode
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smkettner
Southern California
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mtndocker wrote:Is there a good source of information for installing the Truecharge? Specifically describing how to install next to a currently installed converter/charger system? Truecharge's installation instructions don't provide this information.
Thanks.
Any charger or converter will connect the same. When you open the distribution panel cover so that you can see the wires you will discover where the existing 12v and 120v connections are made. Out with the old and in with the new. I doubt Truecharge will fit in the converter slot so you will need to mount it behind and pull the wires through the knockouts.
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