Converter stops charging every so often while on shore power

[Billb603]

I have a 2023 FC 25 RBT. It is currently hooked to 50 amp power that will run ACs. For the last month or so I will intermittently find batteries as low as 60% while on shore power. I have turned circuit breaker on off. No charge. Taken panel off to get to converter and checked wires. None loose. Or anywhere else I can get to. I’ve tried wiggling wires to see if a break inside wire or defective connection. No change. Then after trying all that and turning main shore power off and on a few times to no avail I turned storage button (button on wall to push when in storage) from on position I leave it in to off then back on m and the last two times I heard a beep, then converter fan on and suddenly charging each battery at 6 amps.

I have two Renogy lithium 100ah batteries with monitors I use to check status and both show great charge after I turn storage button on and off.

Seems like converter needs to be disconnected from power to reboot??? Thoughts as to diagnosis or solutions versus try a new converter which could take weeks to get in for warranty work.

And of course this is an intermittent issue as it can charge for days perfectly then I come out one day and only solar panels charging. I have the 3 solar panel option installed by AS.

Thanks in advance

[BGClassic]

Originally Posted by Billb603

I have a 2023 FC 25 RBT. It is currently hooked to 50 amp power that will run ACs. For the last month or so I will intermittently find batteries as low as 60% while on shore power. I have turned circuit breaker on off. No charge. Taken panel off to get to converter and checked wires. None loose. Or anywhere else I can get to. I’ve tried wiggling wires to see if a break inside wire or defective connection. No change. Then after trying all that and turning main shore power off and on a few times to no avail I turned storage button (button on wall to push when in storage) from on position I leave it in to off then back on m and the last two times I heard a beep, then converter fan on and suddenly charging each battery at 6 amps.

I have two Renogy lithium 100ah batteries with monitors I use to check status and both show great charge after I turn storage button on and off.

Seems like converter needs to be disconnected from power to reboot??? Thoughts as to diagnosis or solutions versus try a new converter which could take weeks to get in for warranty work.

And of course this is an intermittent issue as it can charge for days perfectly then I come out one day and only solar panels charging. I have the 3 solar panel option installed by AS.

Thanks in advance

The WFCO converter in our 22 Classic became intermittent. Awakened at 3 AM in 24F Colorado by the fridge alarm. Lithium batteries were at 37% SOC. I found I could rap on top of the converter and it turn on. I bought a Progressive Dynamics converter and installed it, so far so good. Airstream had me return the failed converter to them, and the receipt. This seems fairly common, several other posts like this one. Good luck.

Bill

[Billb603]

Thank you. Do you have model number on the converter?

[DarthBrader]

Sounds like your converter may be set for lead acid batteries. Are you sure it's set up for lithium? If it's one of the WFCO auto-detect units ("-AD" models), many folks have had trouble with them properly detecting lithium batteries. Some have sent them back to WFCO for firmware updates, or gotten frustrated and replaced them. If it's one of the lithium switch units ("-LIS" models), then make sure the switch on the DC fuse panel is set to "LI."

You should be getting more than 6 amps per battery (12 amps total) if your batteries are at 60% SOC. The factory WFCO converter in my 2022 Bambi is a "-LIS" unit, and puts out its rated 55 amps when bulk charging in lithium mode.

[BGClassic]

Originally Posted by Billb603

Thank you. Do you have model number on the converter?

I called bestconverter.com. PD9160ALV is the model. DarthBrader raised a good point, but mine worked correctly for nine months. I hope Airstream knows which converter to use.

[davidrrand]

My 2016 FC is stock as far as batteries and upgraded converter. Are leaving the use/store switch on USE? If I’m on shore power and the switch is in store, the converter is disconnected, no charging.

[Life is a Highway]

Look for a bad main power relay. The bang on it is the clue. They fail, the relay hold in winding is not working.