2018 Upgraded electrical and multi stage converter

[Johnrb3]

Hi everyone,
I'm in the process of purchasing a 2017 International Serenity 23 FB. I saw the post on the upgrades for 2018 and I don't think most of them are much of a concern. The tv already has an HDMI jack going to it so that isn't too big a deal, but I'm wondering about the electrical upgrades. Does anyone know what this is about and what the difference will be?? Since it involves electrical I figured it was worth asking ya'll about. I'm trying to decide if it's worth waiting for a 2018 model since I'm already seeing them pop up on dealer lots. Thanks guys!!

[Wayne&Sam]

The improved converter is about a $300 improvement. I'll bet the '18 is more than $300 more than the '17. If that's your only concern, go for the '17

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by Johnrb3

Hi everyone,
I'm in the process of purchasing a 2017 International Serenity 23 FB. I saw the post on the upgrades for 2018 and I don't think most of them are much of a concern. The tv already has an HDMI jack going to it so that isn't too big a deal, but I'm wondering about the electrical upgrades. Does anyone know what this is about and what the difference will be?? Since it involves electrical I figured it was worth asking ya'll about. I'm trying to decide if it's worth waiting for a 2018 model since I'm already seeing them pop up on dealer lots. Thanks guys!!

The charger you'd replace on the 2017 is $217. As just stated, hardly an issue. Plus, has anyone found what the charger is in the 2018, and what the specs and charge profile is? Does it bulk charge at 14.4v, which the Progressive Dynamics charger does? That's important to be able to actually ever get to a full charge.

http://www.bestconverter.com/PD4655V...l#.WUmfOR2QwRY

[Njg]

Originally Posted by pcskier

The charger you'd replace on the 2017 is $217. As just stated, hardly an issue. Plus, has anyone found what the charger is in the 2018, and what the specs and charge profile is? Does it bulk charge at 14.4v, which the Progressive Dynamics charger does? That's important to be able to actually ever get to a full charge.

http://www.bestconverter.com/PD4655V...l#.WUmfOR2QwRY

Here is the new converter being included on 2018s:

http://wfcoelectronics.com/product/wf-8955-55-amp/

It does bulk at 14.4, absorb at 13.6 and float at 13.2. No equalize.

[RareStream]

Originally Posted by Njg

Here is the new converter being included on 2018s:

http://wfcoelectronics.com/product/wf-8955-55-amp/

It does bulk at 14.4, absorb at 13.6 and float at 13.2. No equalize.

They are going with an WFCO???

Those SUCK.

Pure junk...

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/26435321.cfm

I just changed one of these out in my uncle's Forest River Georgetown XL. They all do the same thing...they have a microprocessor failure that prevents 14.4 and they never fully charge the batteries. 12v output drops slowly and then pops on at full voltage whenever there is any sort of voltage fluctuation in the system. Just a pure POS. My uncle ruined a bank of new batteries before he realized it was the WCFO converter causing his problems.

Just google WCFO converter failure...it's all over the internet.

It's no wonder Airstream is going with such a pile of cheap crap. But, of course, people will now suddenly want to "upgrade" to the WCFO simply because Airstream decided to install them in their new trailers.

Baaa baaa baaa...

[lsbrodsky]

Actually, this is what Randy was originally selling as the drop-in replacement for the Parallax, until he favored the PD unit. I replaced mine in 2013 and it worked fine on my AGM's until I replaced all of that stuff with Victron last year.

Larry

[Njg]

Originally Posted by lsbrodsky

Actually, this is what Randy was originally selling as the drop-in replacement for the Parallax, until he favored the PD unit. I replaced mine in 2013 and it worked fine on my AGM's until I replaced all of that stuff with Victron last year.



Larry

Good to know! I'd love to wait in upgrading converter and inverter for a few years..

[Johnrb3]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciated everyone's input. It was a huge help!!