WFCO Converter Charger Confusion

**Riverbug** · 07-31-2021, 01:20 PM

I am replacing my stock lead acid battery with a 206AH lithium battery. At this time, I will not be installing solar panels, controller, etc., just the battery. I understand that the WFCO converter may charge a little "hot" for lithium batteries (50 amps?) and ideally I would have a 30 amp charger instead. My confusion has to do with the converter vs charger function of the unit. If I did decide on a different charger, is it possible to disconnect the charge feature on the WFCO converter but keep the converter feature intact? Or, are these not physically separate within the unit?

**huntindog** · 07-31-2021, 01:39 PM

Yes you are confused. A convertor takes 120V AC and converts it to 13.2,13.6,and 14.4 volts depending on what stage it is in. It sends that voltage to batteries at whatever amps it is rated for (you said 50 amps) less what ever amps the trailer is consuming.So in effect it is a bulit in battery charger. It is NOT too hot for lithium, just the opposite.
The main problem with the WFCOs is that they rarely change stages. Most report yhat they are stuck @13.6 volts. That is not high enough to charge lithium as fast as they can be charged, which is one of their main advantages

BTW, I am not aware of any WFCO 50 amp converter. I know that they make a 55amp as that is what I had.

Your best bet is to ditch the WFCO and get a different brand. Progessive is popular, and is wha I now have. I have also used Boondocker in the past with good luck. There are others as well.

**jkwilson** · 07-31-2021, 01:40 PM

They aren’t separate components. You need to check with your battery manufacturer to see what your charging requirements are for the specific batteries. Current is seldom an issue, but voltage can be.

**Riverbug** · 07-31-2021, 02:14 PM

Thanks for clarifying that charge/conversion are inseparable in these units. If you wouldn't mind a couple more clarifications...I understand that the specs on the existing unit may not charge a lithium battery quickly and likely not to 100%. (The bulk charge on my unit is 14.4v.) For the moment, that's okay with me assuming it will charge to say 70 or 80% - still better than what I have now. My main concern is that I don't ruin the new battery before I get other components installed next year.

But I thought I read that lithium batteries do not like heat and charging at max amperage creates the heat during the charge cycle. So if the converter charges at say 40 or even 55 amps, and the battery has a max charge amperage of 50 amps, should that be my primary concern? Or, do I just not understand that aspect of lithium?

**wjpatter** · 07-31-2021, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Riverbug

I am replacing my stock lead acid battery with a 206AH lithium battery. At this time, I will not be installing solar panels, controller, etc., just the battery. I understand that the WFCO converter may charge a little "hot" for lithium batteries (50 amps?) and ideally I would have a 30 amp charger instead. My confusion has to do with the converter vs charger function of the unit. If I did decide on a different charger, is it possible to disconnect the charge feature on the WFCO converter but keep the converter feature intact? Or, are these not physically separate within the unit?

I have a WF-8700 Series battery charger (WF-8700 Series Power Center converter to be precise). The AC is plugged into a power outlet on the back of my back of my breaker panel and the DC output connected to the batteries. You can see it in the picture of my crawl space. Not much to look at. I've also attached a link to the owners manual but check your model as it may or may not be the same.

https://wfcoelectronics.com/wp-conte...Manual-web.pdf

You can only have one charger connected at a time or you will get under desired interactions. If changing to lithium, you need and want a lithium charger to get full performance. Lithium can absorb more energy, quicker that a lead acid. Your WFCO will charge a lithium but not to 100% and not nearly a quick as a lithium changer. So when you say the WFCO may charge a little "hot", I don't understand what that means. Do a search on this site for Lithium battery installing. Guys much smarter that I have written PhD thesis on the subject.

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**jkwilson** · 07-31-2021, 02:49 PM

One lithium battery is not the same as others. You have to see what the manufacturer says. Battle Borne specs 14.4V as right in the middle of the range for charging

**Riverbug** · 07-31-2021, 02:58 PM

Thanks all. Got my primary question answered. I'll have to keep researching the other stuff about max amperage vs my WFCO and whether or not that should be a concern. Really appreciate the insights!

**huntindog** · 07-31-2021, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by Riverbug

Thanks all. Got my primary question answered. I'll have to keep researching the other stuff about max amperage vs my WFCO and whether or not that should be a concern. Really appreciate the insights!

Check the voltage that your WFCO is putting out now. If it is like most, it will be stuck at 13.6. If it does the same with litium batteries, heat will not be an issue. speed of charging , and full charging will be the issue.
Now I never actually tried my WFCO with the lithiums, so I suppose it may perform differently.... But I doubt it.

Your battery should have some circuitry to protect it from heat, cold, improper voltage etc. The better (pricer) batteries tend to have more advanced protection in them. You do not say what you are getting, but the Battleborns are pretty much bullet proof. They are not cheap though.

**Riverbug** · 07-31-2021, 03:35 PM

I decided on the SOK 206AH. I'll have to set up a monitor and just see what it does. I was going to wait till next year to purchase any other components until we have our first few trips (including 2 months in FL this winter) and have a better idea of what we want for solar, etc. Don't want to buy now and realize it doesn't fit with our needs. I'm anticipating boondocking mostly during travel but believe we will primarily be in state and national park destinations so at minimum will have electric. But, we need to get some time on the road to see how we really want to travel now that we're retired. Up to this point, it's always been a week here and there with very specific destination and reservations in place. This will be our first time with actual freedom to go when and where we want.

**Riverbug** · 08-04-2021, 09:36 AM

Okay, after more research I think I now understand the need to upgrade the converter charger with the new lithium battery. And I realize how much more I need to learn about all of this. Now, I do have a couple of more questions if anyone cares to respond...
1. If installing a Progressive Dynamics converter charger for lithium, is it necessary to install larger gauge wire to the battery? Looking at YouTube it appears everyone just swaps out the WFCO with the PD but that doesn't mean it's correct. Just want to check.
2. From my research, it appears that charging lithium to 80-85% rather than 100% will help the battery last much longer. Since the Progressive Dynamics unit does not have any variable settings, it will automatically charge to 100%. I want to add solar components next year. Once those components are installed, is that where I would gain the ability to control the max charge threshold, even if charging through the converter charger? I'm thinking I would sacrifice a bit of capacity for longevity, but haven't found clear information yet about how much of a difference it would make in the life of the battery.