WF 8955 Converter
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10770
Printed Date: 06 May 2024 at 10:29am
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Topic: WF 8955 Converter
Posted By: Caryd
Subject: WF 8955 Converter
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2017 at 6:27pm
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Rpod 180 new purchase in April 2017. Converter failed before first trip. Camping World replaced after two trips to their
shop. It worked for one trip and then during trip to Smokies it quit again and salvaged the trip using portable charger. Took back to CWorld and they kept for a week and said it was fixed. Took a 6000 mile trip to Wyoming in August and converter never charged the batteries. Used the portable charger to keep batteries up when in rv parks. Took to another Forest River dealer three weeks ago and they are replacing the converter and some other issues. Forest River won't allow another brand of converter to replace the WF8955. I won't even mentioned other problems that I fixed. 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. I've owned all types of RVs since 1970 and never anything like this converter deal. Caryd9474@gmail.com |
Replies:
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2017 at 7:02pm
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Cary, sorry to hear about your problems. It does seem to me that too many fellow Pod owners have reported converter failures among other problems. Though I wonder if the converter FR installs in our Pods have the same, greater, or less failure rate then other manufacturers use in their trailers? I know many Pod owners who have had converter issues have replaced then with another manufacturers converters then FR uses. You can search out or ask what converter unit other Pod owners have installed. I'd be interested in knowing if by chance when you plug into shore power if you use a Surge Guard to filter and protect? As for your other problems that you and new Pod owners have encountered. For the price range of our camper trailers it would be very interesting to see how the general problems you have and other have reported stack up to comparable units by other manufactures? ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: Jasp
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2017 at 10:32am
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I had the same problem with the converter. If it happens again I plan on asking this groups advice on a different converter I can put in myself..... my dealer said it's been a huge problem for a while.
My pod is a 2016, the converter and having to have a new microwave installed have been my only issues. Sorry to read of all your other problems. I'd be highly upset too. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2017 at 12:29pm
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Without getting into the the OP's "issues".. I will say, FR doesn't build the WFCO power center, REGARDLESS of what small camper you bought in the last year and half, you had a decent chance of getting a bad one. No dealership I am aware of has given any owner any guff about it. I know a pod owner or two that have had more then 1 replaced, under warranty. Is it a pain? Yes. But stuff made by man can be and often is, faulty. Accept. Repair, Camp. That said, if on your own dime for the repair, I highly recommend this one: https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Dynamics-PD4655V-Converter-Charger/dp/B002OR4242 ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2017 at 2:13pm
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I had to replace ours this past summer. It was still under warranty, but I did not have the time to take it to a dealer to diagnose, wait, and then go back to get fixed. I ordered another one from Amazon and replaced it myself. When we got home, I went online and submitted information for warranty replacement. I have a brand-new one as a spare now. It was less expensive to purchase another WFCO converter and I was sure it was a drop-in replacement that would fit. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2017 at 9:40am
Great idea StephenH, always nice to have a spare! How about a write up on "how" to replace the converter? Is it just a matter of a few screws and plug in and out or what? Inquiring minds would like to know!  ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2017 at 10:17am
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Okay. To replace the converter, 1. Disconnect Shore Power and use battery cut-off switch or remove negative battery terminal to disconnect the battery/batteries). 2. remove the two screws that hold the converter in place.Then slide it out of the panel. 3. Note which wires are connected to it from the AC breaker and the heavy wires that go to the battery/batteries. 4. Disconnect the wire from the AC breaker terminal. Disconnect the neutral and ground wires. Disconnect the two 12V wires from the terminals next to the 40A reverse polarity connection fuses. 5. Remove the old converter. 6. Put the new converter near enough to connect the wires. 7. Connect the 12V wires, ensuring that the polarity is the same as it was on the old converter. 8. Connect the 110V neutral and ground wires. Feed the black wire through and connect it to the breaker. 9. Slide the new converter into place and fasten with the two screws. 10. Switch your battery on or reconnect the negative terminal. 12. Reconnect your shore power and turn the breaker for the converter on. If all was wired correctly, the converter should begin to charge your battery/batteries. Note: I am doing this from memory. It is not difficult to do. Just be sure that if you remove a wire from the old converter, the new converter will have the wire attached to the same place. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2017 at 7:14pm
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Thanks StephenH, I'm sure your explanation will help someone out who has had problems with the converter.
------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: NoDak
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2017 at 9:41pm
| Our converter failed just short of a year after purchase. Instead of fooling around with warranty and being stuck with another WFCO, I ordered and installed the PD 4655 mentioned above. Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can. |
Posted By: ChetC
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2017 at 6:36pm
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I had issues with two converters in my 2017 180. I wrote about my theory and fix here: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8847&KW=converter&title=theory-on-failed-power-converters-possible-fix Since this fix, approximately 30,000+ miles ago, I have not had an issue. ------------- Former 2017 rPod 180 owner Now in a 2019 Little Guy MAX Full timer who logs more than 35,000 miles per year. |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2017 at 9:22pm
ChetC, I reviewed the thread where you posted your theory about why the converters are failing and found it interesting. What struck me is you said that you think its vibration that is causing the converters to fail. After a career in electronics when someone is talking about vibration and failure to me that points to not a failure of the circuit board components but of the circuit board itself. Maybe this is why when you add the "blue board" that cushions the vibration you don't have failure. You need to remember this that all circuit boards, the construction of the board itself are not alike. In most cases the quality of the circuit board construction and also it's components inserted into it depend on the sub-contractors that manufactures the board. I myself after reading this am going to take a hard look at my converter panel and may just add a blue foam board under it for extra insurance. Better safe then sorry! Thanks! ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2017 at 10:01pm
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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. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: ChetC
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2017 at 10:26pm
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. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2017 at 8:00am
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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,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Caryd
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2017 at 1:45pm
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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 |
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2017 at 8:29am
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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 :. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2017 at 8:47am
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 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: RobnCari
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2017 at 1:27pm
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 |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2017 at 4:34pm
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 wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2017 at 4:35pm
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[/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!  ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: Davidb
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 7:48pm
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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 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2017 at 7:09am
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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. ------------- |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2017 at 7:14am
I always run the fridge on propane when traveling and it keeps ice cream hard in the freezer compartment. I don't know how much cooler it needs to get. It doesn't seem like running the fridge on DC would affect the converter, although it is a really big draw. There seems there aren't many people who have good things to say about running it on DC. It has been reported that there were a lot of bad converters put in Pods, and other campers, for a while. Maybe you did get another one of the bad ones. My converter has been cranking right along just fine. They just don't make things like they used to.... TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Davidb
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2017 at 9:41am
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Thanks for the tips, yes I understand the function of the converter ( i actually called the converter an inverter the other day while troubleshooting with a Progressive Dynamics tech and he immediately corrected me) I have to constantly explain to my wife the differences between AC line power, DC battery power from the tow vehicle recharging the DC batteries, solar panels recharging the batteries and the GoPower inverter we use (coffee percolater 600 watts) to convert DC to AC while dry camping with no AC power. No I don't use a surge or power conditioner but think it is time to employ one in the future, I see Progressive Industries has a new portable unit EMS-PT30X that looks good. I do check the pedestal with a DVM for proper hot, neutral and ground configuration, but realize it does nothing for you when the neighbor rolls in and plug his trailer in to the same circuit your on with one of his outlets causing a "hot skin" condition that he now shares with his fellow campers on the same branch. The final straw on cutting our Florida trip short was when the battery got so low the Dometic fridge control panel that needs 12volts dc started beeping while it was running on propane, i backed the truck up and connected the trailer plug to give it a little juice, the neighboring campers probably wondered why my truck was sitting there idling so much while we were sitting around the campfire. I read in the Dometic manual where the RM8501 has an optional battery compartment for 8 AA batteries to power up the control panel, I googled it and can't find any info on it. I just replaced the Progressive Dynamics converter with the spare WFCO,it's putting out 13.7vdc, will try to send back the PD tomorrow. Update: I just purchased the EMS power management system. http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems-pt30x Thanks David ------------- David |
Posted By: Caryd
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2017 at 3:34pm
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I gave up on R-pod 180 after 3 converter failures. I traded 2017 R-pod for a 2018 Artic Fox on Oct 31.No more Forest River for me.
Caryd9474@gmail.com |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2017 at 4:24pm
Why blame FR for a supplier problem? You could have the same issue with your new RV. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2017 at 4:30pm
+ 1. FR didn't build the converter, and almost every 30A small camper out there has a WFCO converter. Over the last 18 months or so, everybody from Jayco to Airstream has had these failures. But, it is what it is, and the Arctic Fox is otherwise a nicely built camper, though, just like our Lance, quite a bit more money too. Enjoy, that's what it's all about. ------------- |
Posted By: Davidb
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2017 at 5:35pm
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I agree, it doesn't matter what brand of trailer you have, they don't make the individual components that can fail such as the converter, water heater, water pump, fridge, axles, etc. I just deal with them as they pop up and try to carry a backup plan for most problem scenarios. Wouldn't consider bringing it to a dealer for warranty or service, simply too frustrating having them tell you the warranty didn't cover the problem(s) and pay through the teeth for an attempt at a fix.
I sold a Livin Lite trailer that was built to last a lifetime and bought the r-pod knowing it was "stick and staple" construction, but it fit our needs a little better until the day Livin Lite or someone else builds a solid smaller pod type trailer. We stopped and looked at some Lances in Ft Worth Texas on our return trip from Colorado and they are built extremely well, we like the 1475 with no slideout. The Arctix Fox Nash 17 K is one awesome trailer!!! David ------------- David |
Posted By: Davidb
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2017 at 10:18am
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Converter Failure diagnosis I brought the Progressive Dynamics converter to work today and we put it on the bench, applied AC volts to converter, no DC output at all. Placed circuit board under magnifier lamp and noticed one of the legs on one the devices (MOSFET) that is connected to the aluminum heat-sink is sheared in two. Obviously a vibration issue, I saw an earlier post about using some anti vibration foam, the heat-sink is extremely large and placed on the edge of the board causing the board to flex. The R-pod and other single axle trailers seem to bounce up and down like a jack rabbit going down the highway. At least I know it wasn't a voltage surge problem, although I did order a voltage EMS system yesterday that I will use from this point forward. Comparing the Progressive Dynamics and the WFCO side by side you can see how the Progressive really is a well built rugged beast, I'm sure I had a rare failure. David ------------- David |
Posted By: ChetC
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2017 at 7:00pm
Ah-ha! Thank you for verifying my theory. ------------- Former 2017 rPod 180 owner Now in a 2019 Little Guy MAX Full timer who logs more than 35,000 miles per year. |
Posted By: Davidb
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2017 at 6:39am
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Thanks ChetC you were right! One thing I noticed is the converter in the 180 is positioned in the trailer right above the axle, whereas in other models and brands they are sometimes located in a "softer" ride area. Thanks David Lafayette La ------------- David |
Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2017 at 8:11am
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This is very helpful. We had our converter fail and was replaced. Now that I think about it, before it failed we drove on the Lake Ontario State Highway in New York State. The road was empty despite a busy weekend of traffic everywhere else. There was one section of road that warned of a bumpy section for the next 6 or 8 miles. It was horrible. Imagine being on an empty highway only able to do 25 mph due to the road. It was like a constant rumble strip. Considering that the WFCO is attached above the axle, I would conclude that it is a FR design flaw and not the converter that is the problem. Perhaps the progressive converter is not a better fix since it too can crack under pressure. Next spring I think I will attempt to remove the converter and reattach it on a rubber base or some equivalent type of floater ------------- OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel |