Converter Charging Woes

[Jim Bennett]

I know this has been discussed a lot previously but I never really paid great attention as it was not an issue for me. I have been traveling since July 12 and today I am heading towards Cape Cod from New Brunswick. I mention this as my replies will be slow due to that as I am in the go using only my phone.

We plan to be home in about 2 1/2 weeks or so.

Basically, I am getting a poor charge on my batteries while plugged in. It seems to charge to 12.2 volts and stops. While this is fine when plugged in this is not the best if off the grid for a couple days. The chances of needing great are growing.

In the past while plugged in I often found it to be around 13.5V while plugged in and around 12.8V resting after unplugging.

I have solar but with the sun dropping lower these days and trees being tall around us it hasn't worked great.

I have two near new 6V AGM batteries.

I suspect something is wrong with the converter. Are there any adjustments to make, tests to run, or changes that could be done. As well, is it worth changing it out, or at least part of it?

Eager to learn.

[MVA]

Jim,

I would test the converter output voltage open circuit; shore power plugged in but with no connection to the battery. This would tell me if something in the circuit in pulling down the voltage or if the converter has a low voltage output. Per your comments, I would suspect the latter, but this test may confirm it.

--Steve

edit: if you need a new converter, I have found Amazon lockers on the road to be a great option for getting parts.

[Jim Bennett]

Thanks Steve. Good idea in the open voltage test, I will do that this evening and report back.

Are these Amazon lockers a US thing? I am not aware of them and do but a fair bit from amazon.ca. I could likely get back to Calgary before buying anything. I would need to know what to buy first anyway, I have heard of an aftermarket board that is supposed to be better.

[MVA]

If you log into amazon.com you can see where the lockers are. There are amazon lockers in Canada, but not as geographically frequent. See:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custo...ZLTK8D4EBS4QJA


--Steve

edit: BTW - you should be able to use your same amazon.ca account login info in amazon.com

[rubicon327]

Jim - if you are not seeing 13.6V +/-0.2V when measuring across the negative and VCC lug on the DC board then you have a problem. Some rudimentary troubleshooting help on the WFCO website or click here. The better main board you are likely referring to is the Progressive Dynamics WildKat PD4655L available from Randy at Bestconverter.com.
https://www.bestconverter.com/PD-465...l#.WniBl3xG1aQ

Here is a thread where I highlighted the replacement…
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post237217

Full disclosure: It worked great until we stopped using it in favor of a Xantrex Freedom XC combo inverter/charger when we switched to lithium. It’s still installed as a backup charging source but currently disconnected.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by MVA

If you log into amazon.com you can see where the lockers are. There are amazon lockers in Canada, but not as geographically frequent. See:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custo...ZLTK8D4EBS4QJA


--Steve

edit: BTW - you should be able to use your same amazon.ca account login info in amazon.com

I have bought from Amazon.com a few times, mostly for something unavailable on .ca. I will check out the lockers here soon.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Jim - if you are not seeing 13.6V +/-0.2V when measuring across the negative and VCC lug on the DC board then you have a problem. Some rudimentary troubleshooting help on the WFCO website or click here. The better main board you are likely referring to is the Progressive Dynamics WildKat PD4655L available from Randy at Bestconverter.com.

https://www.bestconverter.com/PD-465...l#.WniBl3xG1aQ



Here is a thread where I highlighted the replacement…

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post237217



Full disclosure: It worked great until we stopped using it in favor of a Xantrex Freedom XC combo inverter/charger when we switched to lithium. It’s still installed as a backup charging source but currently disconnected.

Thanks for that. I do believe that is the board I was thinking about. I don't foresee changing batteries anytime soon, do it it is better I will look into it if needed

It's raining good here in Salisbury MA right now, so it might be morning when I check out the converter output as it is supposed to quit raining overnight. My tools are stored in the truck bed. We had a hard rain from 30 minutes out of New Brunswick all the way here, non-stop. 6 hours total driving and stopping.

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Thanks for that. I do believe that is the board I was thinking about. I don't foresee changing batteries anytime soon, do it it is better I will look into it if needed

It's raining good here in Salisbury MA right now, so it might be morning when I check out the converter output as it is supposed to quit raining overnight. My tools are stored in the truck bed. We had a hard rain from 30 minutes out of New Brunswick all the way here, non-stop. 6 hours total driving and stopping.

I replaced my 2017 21c converter with the wildcat kit before I sold it. It was relatively painless and took less than an hour. I believe it’s a better quality converter charger than the stock wfco. I sent my old one to Perry who kept it in his camper for backup as he used solar exclusively for battery charging. His converter overcharged and ruined batteries. He sold his 5.0 and it went with it. Personally I’m a fan of the victron out xantrex convert inverter trans fee switch. But lots more money than the simple replacement. Best Converters is the exclusive distribution of that particular kit.

[CharlesinGA]

Read thru this thread on info about the Progressive Dynamics PD46XX series converters and which ones to use.

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...ter-25245.html

Charles

[Jim Bennett]

I have news, but am still confused.

This morning the sun is shining and solar working fairly well given the time of year.

My meter climbed up to 12.8V a short while ago. I took the charge leads off the batteries and got 12.75V from the converter, not bad right. 12.55V was the battery voltage though it still seems to be getting a charge.

All connections I could see are tight and clean.

Is there any way that I possibly had poor line voltage at the last campground where I was plugged in for 3 nights that saw a maximum battery charge of 12.2V? Between trees and hurricane downpours I got next to no solar charge, the most I ever saw was about 0.2A.

Could the problem be something else?

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

My meter climbed up to 12.8V a short while ago. I took the charge leads off the batteries and got 12.75V from the converter, not bad right. 12.55V was the battery voltage though it still seems to be getting a charge.

Jim I believe you should be seeing 13.6V with battery disconnected. That is the normal operating (absorption) mode for the WFCO. 13.2V is the float mode. 12.75V sounds way too low.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Jim I believe you should be seeing 13.6V with battery disconnected. That is the normal operating (absorption) mode for the WFCO. 13.2V is the float mode. 12.75V sounds way too low.

Very true, it could be that I am getting decent solar that now has the reading at 12.9V. Typically during the day when charging is up I am sitting somewhere a bit over 13V on the readout.

BTW, the readout I am using is from my solar charge controller which does a very accurate job with charge rate and battery voltage.

Anyway, my replies may be slower for a bit as we are headed out being tourists for a while. My first time in Massachusetts.