Powermax converter

[The Rookie]

Does anyone have any positives or negatives on the Powermax PM3 MBA series converter? Specifically replacing the WFCO 9855.

​

 

[16ACE27]

The Powermax PM3 MBA series converter is NOT a replacement for the WFCO 9855 deck mounted converter. It replaces the WFCO 8900 series board converters.

 

[PS89]

I swapped the stock WFCO converter for a Powermax PM3-55MBA this summer. It handled the FLA batteries just fine for the short period of time that the converter was installed and the FLA batteries were still installed.

I swapped to LiFePO4 shortly afterwards. I had to flip one small switch to change charging profile to Li. My shunt says it's supplying between 50 and 55 amps when the Li bank is in need of significant charge.

I'm happy with it and the price was decent.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MR30Y26/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&tag=amzfinder-20&th=1

 

[The Rookie]

The Powermax PM3 MBA series converter is NOT a replacement for the WFCO 9855 deck mounted converter. It replaces the WFCO 8900 series board converters.

Yikes! Good catch Ace, thank you

 

[The Rookie]

I swapped the stock WFCO converter for a Powermax PM3-55MBA this summer. It handled the FLA batteries just fine for the short period of time that the converter was installed and the FLA batteries were still installed.

I swapped to LiFePO4 shortly afterwards. I had to flip one small switch to change charging profile to Li. My shunt says it's supplying between 50 and 55 amps when the Li bank is in need of significant charge.

I'm happy with it and the price was decent.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MR30Y26/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&tag=amzfinder-20&th=1

Thank you

 

[16ACE27]

Yikes! Good catch Ace, thank you

You need to verify which converter you have. Is it the 9855 deck mounted unit (separated mounted outside the Power Center, usually in 50 amp RVs) or the 8955 board mounted unit inside the Power Center (usually in 30 amp RVs).

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

Here's the (not lithium compatible) WFCO Model 8955 I removed from our 30 amp class C motorhome when I did my lithium conversion. It was in the bottom of the power center. Note: The first four digits on the smaller label in the second pic denotes the model number.

I'm guessing the LAST six digits represent the manufactured year/month/day.

 

[The Rookie]

You need to verify which converter you have. Is it the 9855 deck mounted unit (separated mounted outside the Power Center, usually in 50 amp RVs) or the 8955 board mounted unit inside the Power Center (usually in 30 amp RVs).

Oh, it’s the 8955. I’m not dyslexic, but I make myself wonder sometimes.

 

[The Rookie]

View attachment 667909View attachment 667914
Here's the (not lithium compatible) WFCO Model 8955 I removed from our 30 amp class C motorhome when I did my lithium conversion. It was in the bottom of the power center. Note: The first four digits on the smaller label in the second pic denotes the model number.

I'm guessing the LAST six digits represent the manufactured year/month/day.

Thank you

 

[16ACE27]

Oh, it’s the 8955. I’m not dyslexic, but I make myself wonder sometimes.

Then you should be good to go.

 

[jawzilla]

So when

I swapped the stock WFCO converter for a Powermax PM3-55MBA this summer. It handled the FLA batteries just fine for the short period of time that the converter was installed and the FLA batteries were still installed.

I swapped to LiFePO4 shortly afterwards. I had to flip one small switch to change charging profile to Li. My shunt says it's supplying between 50 and 55 amps when the Li bank is in need of significant charge.

I'm happy with it and the price was decent.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MR30Y26/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&tag=amzfinder-20&th=1

So when you switch to LI, does that affect how the chassis FLA gets charged on SP?

 

[16ACE27]

So when

So when you switch to LI, does that affect how the chassis FLA gets charged on SP?

Depends on what you have connecting the two battery banks. If you have a LA BIRD/Trombetta or BIM the chassis battery will always be charged from the LFP battery bank due to the higher resting voltage.

 

[SteveW-THOR]

Does anyone have any positives or negatives on the Powermax PM3 MBA series converter? Specifically replacing the WFCO 9855.

​

I think the Powermax is junk went through 2 of them in rapid secession just this past year. Go back with the WFCO 9855 that's what I did, finally! I've had no further problems. Note: I did not have any problems with my wiring or electrical components. My WFCO converter was 5 years old when it died.

 

[The Rookie]

I think the Powermax is junk went through 2 of them in rapid secession just this past year. Go back with the WFCO 9855 that's what I did, finally! I've had no further problems. Note: I did not have any problems with my wiring or electrical components. My WFCO converter was 5 years old when it died.

Thank you for the info.

 

[PS89]

So when you switch to LI, does that affect how the chassis FLA gets charged on SP?

No idea. That situation has yet to arise since the conversion was completed.

 

[PS89]

Depends on what you have connecting the two battery banks. If you have a FLA BIRD/Trombetta or BIM the chassis battery will always be charged from the LFP battery bank due to the higher resting voltage.

If the Li-BIM225 is in used, it doesn't work that way. The banks are only tied together if the relative voltages are within certain parameters and then only for a specified amount of time.

 

[16ACE27]

If the Li-BIM225 is in used, it doesn't work that way. The banks are only tied together if the relative voltages are within certain parameters and then only for a specified amount of time.

That's why I prefaced it with "FLA". Of course, the LI-BIM is not an issue.

 

[jawzilla]

Depends on what you have connecting the two battery banks. If you have a LA BIRD/Trombetta or BIM the chassis battery will always be charged from the LFP battery bank due to the higher resting voltage.

Thanks!

 

[jawzilla]

If the Li-BIM225 is in used, it doesn't work that way. The banks are only tied together if the relative voltages are within certain parameters and then only for a specified amount of time.

Thanks, I will be installing the Li-BM225 at some point.