(2012 F/R Sierra 323FK tt) the original power converter is bad, going to be replaced under warranty.

But, and there is always a but: present unit is a WFCO 9865 65amp unit with no frills.

I' m trying to learn more about these converters and their place onboard an RV.

MY RV guy is proposing to replace with a Inteli-Power PD9260C unit (60amp) with "charging wizard" it is my understanding that I can then plug my RV in at home and forget about it until the next camping trip without fear of overcharging the batteries with this wizard type unit-is this so?

Also, would it be advisable to upgrade to a larger amp unit in the process? our TT is 36' long and has many 12volt lights and extras much like an upper end 5th wheel unit, and understandably the factory probably installed the smallest unit they could in it.

-Hoping Steve the RV Tech stops by and renders an opinion. Thanks Guys!

 

This is an interesting question that opens up a whole topic as to when should folks upgrade their components or appliances and I am sure others have thoughts about this. About two months ago one of the industry magazines published a piece I wrote explaining why I often refuse to sell folks things they don't need and this questions edges into that thought.

First of all, in my opinion, WFCOs historically seem to have problems with long term reliability and this is actively discussed when techs get together. The problem is we can't tell if we see more of them fail because they are failure prone or because they are used so much more often than other brands. For example, I probably see at least 50 WFCOs for every competitor. I haven't seen an Intelli-Power in anything in over a year and have never seen a 9200 model with the charge wizard as standard equipment.

Secondly, your WFCO is a three stage converter and actually has a multitude of features. The industry, of course, uses it because it is the cheapest thing out there, but not by a great deal. Just glancing at my catalog, the MSRP on a WFCO 9865 is $282.00, the MSRP on the Intelli-Power is $322 (surely you are not paying full retail), so the price difference is not huge. Some of the statements in the Intelli-Power ads are misleading and/or simply inaccurate.

All of this makes it very hard to make knowledgeable decisions about nearly everything in RVs. If you have a few extra bucks, I do not think there is any harm in trying the Intelli-Power. Do I think the advantages are likely to be great? Probably not.

I know you would like a definitive answer, but the reality is there is really no objective data available to make an informed decision.

Best of luck,

Steve

Sorry, I missed the warranty part of your post. Given that, get it replaced for free and consider upgrading when you are out of warranty.

 

I would replace with the Inteli-Power PD9260C unit (60amp) with "charging wizard" I replaced my WFCO a little over 2yrs ago when it failed. I can't remember the exact model but it did come with the wizard, it was the 9200 60amp series, I'm very pleased with the product and the 60amp works well in my Everest. The wizard lets you monitor the rate of charge with a simple blinking light, the faster the blinking the higher charge rate. The WFCO didn't have this feature and consistently overcharged my batteries ( needing to add water quite often (I seldom need to add water with the Inteli-power and the batteries are lasting much longer.
Do a google search and you will find vendors with some very attractive pricing. The install for me was very simple.

 

I am not sure how he can do this since the unit is still under warranty. I normally refuse warranty work, but the little I have done has never allowed me to make any change that cost extra. Just based on my experience.

Steve

 

Steve, basically I'm just sayin I would not use the WFCO unit. I've just heard of to many go bad, and the peace of mind with a good converter like the Inteli-Power would be worth the difference for me. Sometimes it just makes more sense to pay a little more and get a little more. Like I said look on amazon or google it and read some reviews.

 

My Arctic Fox has the InteliPower installed from the factory. Don't recall the model #, but it is one that has the Charge Wizard already built into the unit. I have plugged mine in at the house at a 30A service outlet whenever I'm home. If your dealer wants to put one in yours, I'd take it.

 

Not arguing against. It's just very hard to establish an adequate data base.

I have no idea what the true failure rate for WFCO is as they are so darn common in comparison to other brands you are bound to hear way more complaints as so many folks have em. I do think, if you put an amp meter on the WFCO, you would be surprised how few amps it is putting out when it goes to float in stage 3 and it ramps up to full specs so I often use one as a stand alone battery charger.

In reality, it's all just anecdotal info. that drives comparisons between component purchases. I have had failures with every product from every manufacturers, so I keep some Intelli-Power, some WFCO, some Iota, and I should have an Elixir for a pop-up camper in tomorrow.

Worst one to work on by far is the Iota converter piggybacked on the back of the distribution panel Jayco uses and that is usually the distinction I focus on most.

Steve

 

Thanks guys very much for all the comments and suggestions.
I am going to order the Inteli-Power PD9280 from a seller on Ebay that I like, it will be over $100.00 less than my RV guy here in town wants for the 60amp version-I can't see going smaller in this case and going from 65amp to 80amp isn't really a crazy jump to me.
Forest River has already agreed to pay what my guy here wants but says he is severly ripping them and me off on the price of the unit.

 

Local RV guy has now gotten real ugly about me getting the unit myself-says he has already ordered the 60amp replacement-he has gotten down right ugly and rude--I didn't tell him that I was getting the replacement from Ebay-I told him the manufacturer was sending me one to bring to him-its all in the attitude to me I told him that I would cover the 20% restock fee even though he is NOT sending it back-HE has lost MY business with the bad attitude alone.
I didn't watch the tech remove the old one but it seems simple enough to do-plug on one end and I think 4 wires on the other 2 reds (positive) 2 blacks (Negitive) I'm thinking about just getting my trailer the heck outta there and installing the new one myself. In this economy these business people really need to watch how they treat their customers, because without them they will NOT have a business, in this case there are PLENTY of RV mechanics eager to work and not give a customer crap!

 

Too many good people out there to put up with that &$#*&$)#_))@

and no need to give him anything for restocking!

 

I would (and have) pull a working WFCO to install a PD9200, so I sure as hell would never install another WFCO. Those converters suck, plain and simple.

Install a voltmeter and watch it for a season and you'll know the difference.

 

The guy is being real ugly, just short of swearing at me. Hes got my TT up at his place, I have worked it out with him to pay him for his work (labor) and send the bill to Forest River which they have agreed to pay for-I just didn't like them charging nearly 3 times the price for the 60amp unit than I could buy for off of Ebay-and certainly HE buys cheaper than I can!
-Its clear in talking to the tech that they are hurting for $$-they are very slow this time of year and I feel that is the reason that he is willing to rip me AND Forest River off so bad.
This darn converter CAN'T be that hard to replace/install, I am very mechanicly inclined and have been working on cars and trucks for over 35 years, so I am no newcomer to 12volt stuff-may be I'll need a hand on installation, but I really think I'm not going to give them the satisfaction of putting it all back together. PLENTY of other RV mechanics out there who will work and NOT give the CUSTOMER crap!

 

I hear ya, This TT is BRAND NEW (in January) built for us-didn't sit on a lot-we have not even gone camping yet due to alot of family stuff including the death of my middle Brother-In-Law...we ARE going in 2 weeks for a LONG weekend-FINALLY!!
Discovered there was a fairly high current draw so I took it in and they diagnosed it as the converter was bad-Now I am hoping they were right-tech seemed pretty thourough and looked at the converter last-the system was drawing 11.7amps with absolutely NOTHING on.

 

It is a DIY job. If you have the kind that plugs into a 110V receptacle, then it is simply connect two wires, a ground, and plug it into the AC outlet. If you have the kind that is built into a load center, then it is a little more involved, but still easy. Hopefully you know which kind you need before you ordered it.

I like this source for converters:
BestConverter - Converters, Inverters, Electrical Supplies, Electronics

He's got links to spec sheets and some install guides too.

Edit: you mentioned the WFCO model in the opening post, and it is a plug-in unit. So you're good to go and it will be a simple install - assuming you can get to it.

 

So the AC leg of the converter was drawing 11.7 amps?

Steve