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Topic ClosedWF 8955 Converter - Event Date: 14 Apr 2017 - 07 Oct 2017

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Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
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Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: WF 8955 Converter
    Posted: 12 Nov 2017 at 7:09am
The converter does nothing when towing, unless you have a hella long extension cord. It's ONLY purpose is to make 12v when on shore power. (not absolutely sure if you understand that, if you do did..  :) )

I have heard and worked on a couple WFCO's that had replacement failures. Two defective in a row isn't anywhere near the record.. so.. LOL

I have never seen or even heard of a PD death, short of a lightning strike or miss-wired 30A plugin. Do you use a surge protector or power conditioner?

"cheapo batteries" won't hurt a converter charger, unless they are just junk/damaged and shorted inside. In fact, since the real difference is how much material (lead) is used, they hold less charge, which makes them easier to charge, not harder..

EDIT to add, carrying a charger and jumper cables is a very good idea, more then once, I got the satisfaction and joy of saving someone else's weekend by loaning them out.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 7:48pm
I replaced my converter lower board section after our first trip with a Progressive Dynamics brand, we went on a long trip from Louisiana to Colorado and back, everything worked fine because I carried a spare converter, battery charger, extra battery, and portable 80 watt solar panels.

We went to Florida this week (500 miles each way), forgot to pack all the spare equipment and the converter failed on day one! Battery died, no lights, fridge control board went dead, had to connect it to the truck for a while to get enough juice to bring the slideout back in and return home early.

Lesson learned, there will be a battery charger on board at all times, will install the extra WFCO they sent me after I sent the first bad one in for warranty then I can send the Progressive Dynamics board back.

I either have something on this trailer that keeps zapping these converters or simply got two defective units in a row, the trailer is a 2018 180 only a few months old.

I ran the fridge on battery for the nine hour trip and possibly the converter can't handle charging the batteries ( I have two 12 volt cheapo Auto Zone deep cycles in parallel) My Tundra supplies voltage to the batteries when running but maybe the current draw is too much from the fridge.
I found the fridge stays much cooler on the DC mode while traveling than the propane mode.
David
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Oct 2017 at 4:35pm
[/QUOTE]
Taking a charger is a good plan. I plan on carrying the one I purchased to get us through our last trip with us on future trips just in case also.
[/QUOTE]

Now your making me paranoid that I should also consider carrying my battery charger! Confused
Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the
wonder dog.
2017 Rpod 180
2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4
Lexington, NC
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Oct 2017 at 4:34pm
Originally posted by HuronSailor

I replaced the converter on our first pod several years ago. I have step-by-step instructions with pictures on here somewhere if anyone needs the photos, but it's a pretty straightforward process if you're using the factory replacement board.


Yes, please do see if you can find your post and paste a link or re-post because I for one would like to see what is involved in replacing the converter and I'm sure others would too.


Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the
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2017 Rpod 180
2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4
Lexington, NC
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Oct 2017 at 1:27pm
Originally posted by Caryd

I'll never pay cash for an rv again. If financed I would let them come get it. No more Forest River products for me and no more Camping World. Caryd9474@gmail.com


This is a little bit a thread jack. You know if they repossess that doesn't get you off the hook?!? You still owe the total amount you signed for! If they repossess and sell you owe minus the selling price. How hard do you think they'll work at getting the best selling price. So "letting them come get it" gets you more problems than a failing converter.
And really? All this over a converter? Just put a different one in there. One that has a more reliable track record. It won't matter if FR approves or not if it doesn't fail. Moss Magnuson act protects the rest of your warranty.
Kudos for paying cash!
2006 Toyota Tacoma 4WD AC
2018 RP 179
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Oct 2017 at 8:47am
Originally posted by Caryd

I'm picking up 180 at dealer tomorrow after 3.5 weeks. They replaced converter and fixed some other problems.
This is not the Camping World dealer so I hope for better results. Taking trip to GSM(Smokies) on 10/23 to check it out, but taking the charger just in case.
Cary & Mary Stringer
Bay Springs MS
Caryd9474@gmail.com


Taking a charger is a good plan. I plan on carrying the one I purchased to get us through our last trip with us on future trips just in case also.
StephenH
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Oct 2017 at 8:29am
I replaced the converter on our first pod several years ago. I have step-by-step instructions with pictures on here somewhere if anyone needs the photos, but it's a pretty straightforward process if you're using the factory replacement board.
.: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Oct 2017 at 1:45pm
I'm picking up 180 at dealer tomorrow after 3.5 weeks. They replaced converter and fixed some other problems.
This is not the Camping World dealer so I hope for better results. Taking trip to GSM(Smokies) on 10/23 to check it out, but taking the charger just in case.
Cary & Mary Stringer
Bay Springs MS
Caryd9474@gmail.com

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Oct 2017 at 8:00am
We have a 179. It is mounted just inside the door below the pantry. The location is very near the axle. I did not think the power panel and converter module in ours had much play. If it were at the very back, I could see it getting more bounce, but the refrigerator is even closer to the back of the 179 and it has had no problems. I am inclined to think it was a bad batch of some component that failed. Hopefully, the cause of these failures has been diagnosed and current production units will be more reliable.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Oct 2017 at 10:26pm
Originally posted by StephenH

I reviewed the post also. The "fix" ended up being your replacing the WFCO converter with a  Progressive Dynamics 9260. I doubt the "blue board" contributed much, if any, to the resulting success. If you had installed another WFCO converter, then it would have been possible to see if the "blue board" made a difference.

Maybe, maybe not.  It's hard to say which was responsible for the fix, but I know I was not comfortable with the amount of vertical flex in the converter tray.  Having said that, I had two WFCOs fail and I wanted to cover all the bases in what I hoped to be, as so far has been, a final solution.

I feel like the blue-board was key though as most of the WFCO converter failures reported on here are in 180s, which would indicate a mounting issue not a WFCO issue.  Then again, I have no idea how they are mounted in other RPod models, or the popularity of the various models.  Maybe there are just more 180s on the road.
Former 2017 rPod 180 owner
Now in a 2019 Little Guy MAX
Full timer who logs more than 35,000 miles per year.
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