R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > I need HELP!!!
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: New converter installation
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

New converter installation

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
Podluvr View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 09 Jun 2018
Location: Ogden, Utah
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2
Post Options Post Options   Quote Podluvr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: New converter installation
    Posted: 04 Aug 2024 at 3:33pm
Hello fellow R-Podders!
   I own an iPod 196. I recently purchased two lithium batteries for the first time and could not get them to charge. When I spoke to a sales rep at the dealership he said that they may not be compatible with my converter and that I should try a new converter. He also said you just take the old one out and plug the new one in. Ha! There are all sorts of wires going every which direction. It does not look like an easy job. Does anyone have any suggestions for me, or suggestions for videos that I could watch? Thank you in advance.

Edited by Podluvr - 04 Aug 2024 at 4:18pm
CamperCarrie
Back to Top
gpokluda View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 11 Nov 2018
Location: NM
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 398
Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2024 at 8:38pm
You will most likely need a WF-8735-AD converter. It has Lithium capability. You'll want to double check what converter is currently installed.

You should be able to map the wires on your existing converter, tag them with tape and install them in the new converter, Take lots of pictures of the existing wiring before you unplug anything. Also, disconnect your leads from your battery and disconnect from shore power.
Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6422
Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Aug 2024 at 8:52pm
Hello and welcome!

Please provide a few more details.

Year of RPod
Model of power center If it is a WFCO 89xx series, then you do not need to replace the whole power center. The converter is a module in the bottom. Yes, there are a few wires, but not many. On the AC side, there are three, hot, neutral, and ground. On the DC side, there is positive and negative. If you have any skills, you could do this yourself. I did.

If it is a WFCO 8955 panel, and the unit is older, then the converter will need to be swapped. If it is newer, it may have an auto-sensing converter. But since you say it isn't working, perhaps first some troubleshooting needs to be done.

First, there should be two 40A fuses in the middle between the 12V fuses and the AC breakers. Are those good? If they are blown, then the batteries may have been installed with the polarity reversed. The fuses blow to protect the converter from damage. If they are good, then you could look on the WFCO web site for the converter troubleshooting steps.

If you determine that you need a new converter, then you can purchase a replacement retail or I have a WFCO WF-8950L2-MBA which may be the part you need. I was using it with the RPod, but when we traded it, I switched the converter back to the stock one for lead-acid batteries. This one is specifically for LiFePO4 batteries.

One other thought--You say two lithium batteries. What specification? How are they wired? If they are 12V batteries, did you wire them in parallel? If you connected them in series, that would be correct for a 24V setup, but not a 12V setup. If the dealer wired them in series, then it is no wonder that it did not work. If in parallel, even then the batteries may need to have the BMS modules activated. You would need a charger capable of charging Lithium batteries, with a 14.6V output to do this. Solar panels can be used. If you can get a working Lithium battery, connect the two in parallel for a few seconds. My battery specified it would take about 3 seconds to activate the BMS, after which, charging could proceed.

I hope this helps.

Stephen
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
Podluvr View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 09 Jun 2018
Location: Ogden, Utah
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2
Post Options Post Options   Quote Podluvr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Aug 2024 at 11:58am
Thank you!!!!
CamperCarrie
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz