Type of charging done by onboard converter?

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   We just came back from a trip to Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks in Washington.  Both were great, but Mount Rainier was absolutely stunning.  We never get tired of visiting there.

I encountered what might be a slight issue with the onboard battery charger.  On Forest River's website, they say that "the “converter” is also equipped with a “battery charger” which provides a “trickle charge” (slow, low amperage charging) to your battery as long as the shoreline is plugged in to a power source" (http://www.forestriverinc.com/FAQ/).

However, I've seen comments by some here that the battery charger is a three-stage charger, which is obviously not the same thing as a trickle charger (which is practically worthless IMHO).

I'm leaning toward believing that it's only a trickle charger because when my batteries were down to about 75% on my recent trip and I plugged my Yamaha 2400 into the Pod, the voltage only rose to about 13.65.  That's right in line with a trickle charger.  A three-stage charger should have been in either bulk charge or absorption charge mode, both of which would have been higher in voltage (at least 14.0 volts).

So I'm wondering which it is?  Thoughts?

If it is only a trickle charger, then I'll just take my Schumacher 30 amp three-stage charger with us and charge the batteries with it instead, whether we have shore power or generator power.

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WillThrill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Jul 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 298	Topic: Type of charging done by onboard converter? Posted: 29 Aug 2014 at 12:41pm
	We just came back from a trip to Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks in Washington. Both were great, but Mount Rainier was absolutely stunning. We never get tired of visiting there. I encountered what might be a slight issue with the onboard battery charger. On Forest River's website, they say that "the “converter” is also equipped with a “battery charger” which provides a “trickle charge” (slow, low amperage charging) to your battery as long as the shoreline is plugged in to a power source" (http://www.forestriverinc.com/FAQ/). However, I've seen comments by some here that the battery charger is a three-stage charger, which is obviously not the same thing as a trickle charger (which is practically worthless IMHO). I'm leaning toward believing that it's only a trickle charger because when my batteries were down to about 75% on my recent trip and I plugged my Yamaha 2400 into the Pod, the voltage only rose to about 13.65. That's right in line with a trickle charger. A three-stage charger should have been in either bulk charge or absorption charge mode, both of which would have been higher in voltage (at least 14.0 volts). So I'm wondering which it is? Thoughts? If it is only a trickle charger, then I'll just take my Schumacher 30 amp three-stage charger with us and charge the batteries with it instead, whether we have shore power or generator power.
	"Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien 2014 Hood River 177 2005 GMC Envoy XL

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 29 Aug 2014 at 4:15pm
	The on-board WFCO converter includes a three stage charger. The voltage levels are 14.4 bulk, 13.6 absorption, and 13.2 trickle or maintenance. At 75% SOC the charger may not have dropped into bulk mode. Also, the current will be limited to 45-55 amps or less depending on the voltage drop in the cabling. It looks like your charger was working properly. Certainly more than a trickle charger.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Outbound Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767	Posted: 29 Aug 2014 at 4:19pm
	As Charlie has said, the WFCO is quiet good. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better charging system for your trailer's battery. If you're concerned about it, I'd be inclined to think that there may be something wrong with your WFCO or your battery. You may want to make a trip into your dealer.
	Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 29 Aug 2014 at 4:49pm
	Outbound, With all due respect O, I'd like to make one small correction. The WFCO is an OK charger, but not great. Reliability problems have been reported and it really is only a 3 stage charger. I prefer the Progressive Dynamics line, for OEM if available, but certainly for replacement. The PD adds a fifteen minute 14.4V equalization pulse every every 21 hours and has been reported to be very reliable. I've got one now and like it very much. Camp on!
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

WillThrill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Jul 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 298	Posted: 29 Aug 2014 at 6:37pm
	Okay, I was just a bit concerned. I expected the charging voltage to be somewhat higher, but when I tested by batteries today after they rested with no charge at all last night, the voltage was 13.10, so I'm a happy camper. Thanks for the help! It seems very odd that FR would include such a good battery charger and not say anything about it. Actually, the info on the FAQ page says that it's much less than what it actually is. When I store batteries (and I always keep a dual purpose battery on hand for emergencies), I place a Battery Minder maintainer on them. I think that it's probably the best battery maintainer on the market for $50 or less.
	"Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien 2014 Hood River 177 2005 GMC Envoy XL

marspball Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 15 Jul 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20	Posted: 01 Sep 2014 at 2:21pm
	Hi guys, newbie rpoder here. So if my Rpod is being stored over the winter while plugged in, can I leave the battery connected and the charger on? When it is on trickle mode, does it perform the same function as a battery minder maintainer? I have 2 6-volt batteries on my Rpod 182G.

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 01 Sep 2014 at 7:27pm
	You can leave it connected, but you'll save some energy by using a separate battery maintainer.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual