Boondocker Retrofit for WFCO converter

[richardr]

For those who installed the Wildcat. How long is the cable from the converter to the 4600 Remote? And where did you install the 4600 Remote?

[John in Santa Cruz]

just skimmed and skipped through this thread, and let me throw MY two bits in.

the Parallax crummy converter in my 2008 Casita died, so I replaced with a PD4645, a more or less bolt in job. The PD4645 can be set for different battery types, and only does the 4th stage 'equalization' thing on wet cells.

seems to work well enough, BUT... my Casita has all LED lamps inside (my own upgrade), and if I turn on 1 LED light when the Casita is plugged in and the battery is fully charged, the converter makes this kind of buzzy whistle, fairly high frequency. Turn on a 2nd light, the pitch changes. turn on a 3rd and it stops. it also buzzes when the battery is 80% or 90% charged.

I contacted PD about this, apparently its a known problem, and they are working on a fix. The said when they have an engineering fix in production they'll swap problematic converters.

[skiman]

Originally Posted by richardr

For those who installed the Wildcat. How long is the cable from the converter to the 4600 Remote? And where did you install the 4600 Remote?

I can't remember exactly. At least 4'. I talked to Best converter and they gave me the length. I mounted it right on front of the panel and the door closed right over it. I have not had any issues. The propane alarm does tend to go off when it is in boost mode.

[Kent]

Installed Best Converter Upgrade for the WFCO 8955 today. For now I installed the remote pendant inside the power center door. One less visible blinking light at night.

Can always move/mount differently if needed. Since instructions state you can manually change the different charge modes, but not recommended. I mounted it here for now.

PD4655MBA WildKat 55 Amp Main Board Assembly for WFCO 8955 or Parallax 7155 (Includes 4600 Remote)

First picture is before with original WFCO converter, 2nd picture with the PD4655 WildKat converter installed and 3rd picture showing where I mounted the remote pendant.


Hardest part of this upgrade was deciding where to locate the remote pendant.

[viator36]

Reviving this year and half old thread. I received the PD4655L Wildkat today and finished installing it a little while ago. This model with the L designation is the newer model and on the bestconverter.com product page it says it includes a jumper for charging Lithium-ion batteries. See the LI pin circled in the first picture below.

When I placed my online order late at night I initially bought the PD4655 not knowing about the newer PD4655L. Randy called me the next morning just to inform me there is this newer model now. Really great service as others mentioned here.

Following the installation tips from you guys my install was straightforward. The tip about loosening the DC board to route the two DC cables from behind made it such a breeze! And I also installed the remote on the panel face. Thank you all for your comments here they made my install quick and easy.

P.S. Just noticed that in my post title I used upper case for all three letters but the forum would only show the first in upper case. Is there a way to make them all in upper case?

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by viator36

Reviving this year and half old thread. I received the PD4655L Wildkat today and finished installing it a little while ago. This model with the L designation is the newer model and on the bestconverter.com product page it says it includes a jumper for charging Lithium-ion batteries. See the LI pin circled in the first picture below.

When I placed my online order late at night I initially bought the PD4655 not knowing about the newer PD4655L. Randy called me the next morning just to inform me there is this newer model now. Really great service as others mentioned here.

Following the installation tips from you guys my install was straightforward. The tip about loosening the DC board to route the two DC cables from behind made it such a breeze! And I also installed the remote on the panel face. Thank you all for your comments here they made my install quick and easy.

Jake: Nice work. I assume you checked that the depth of where the pendant is attached is enough to avoid the door from depressing the button when closed?

[viator36]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Jake: Nice work. I assume you checked that the depth of where the pendant is attached is enough to avoid the door from depressing the button when closed?

Dave, good that you asked. I just went to my trailer and did a button and front cover back surface contact test. I dabbed a bit dry starch powder on the small button and rubbed a drop of water on the back of the front cover where it would close against the button. After closing and opening that cover spot did pick up a bit of starch powder but the charge mode didn't change (stabilizing mode ? with green light blinking once every five seconds).

Still that's a bit too close for comfort because when the trailer is on the road the cover could shake quite a bit more and for hours. So I cut two small strips of medium firm weather stripping (3/16" thick) and placed them vertically on both sides of the button so they stick out toward the front cover about 1/8" more than the button itself. I did the starch contact test again and no starch got on the back of the front cover this time.

[cpaharley2008]

May as well drill a hole in the panel door where the green light is, gives you a visual confirmation.

[ChuckBC]

Want to add the PD 4655L Wildkat to the WFCO 8955 but at a standstill assessing overall cost. Unfortunately for me living in Canada the $ conversion takes a toll. When I got to shipping using cheapest form provided, USPS Priority Post, it amounts to over $80 Can and this is not counting duty, etc.!! Has any Canadian owners ordered the Wildkat recently so I can get an idea of landed costs??