Connect Magazine

37 24 Bad ground connections are a problem. Typically, the method they used for grounding the 12 VDC grounds is a big wire nut or a scotch lock, which can and will work loose from road travel. It is recommended that a ground bus bar is used for the 12 VDC ground. Grounding issues cause numerous bad connections throughout the 12 VDC circuits. Most charging issues are cured when a correct/good connection has been made on the 12 VDC ground side. Cleaning and maintaining the battery connections is also a very good practice. Continually tripping circuit breakers or blowing fuses. Take the time to collect load information on the circuits and fuse them accordingly to the connected loads. Having too many circuits on one branch may cause an overload situation that could trip the breaker or blow the fuse. Be mindful of start-up currents for motors and some big appliances as they draw large amounts of power until they enter the run mode. Also, check to make sure fuses are seated properly into the terminals. A loose fuse can cause it to blow or provide intermittent operation on that circuit. Over the years, our team of Power Pros™ have been working hand-in-hand with manufacturer production lines to ensure WFCO products are installed properly and utilized to their fullest potential. Our goal is to help make sure our products are installed correctly to minimize the potential for problems down the road. We are often asked about common missteps to look out for, and how to best resolve them. Below, we address five possible installation issues and the steps to solve them. Most involve fairly simple solutions that, if implemented, can prevent warranty claims and other complications in the future. AC and DC wires on converters are not torqued to the proper torque specification. Under torqued wire connections, both on the AC and DC sides, can cause heat build-up and reduced power transfer. Make sure all connections are torqued to spec if a torque wrench is available or, if not, are very snug without over torquing. The converter is mounted in a location with no ventilation. All converters are equipped with a fan to circulate cooler air across the internal components. If no fresh air ventilation is provided for the converter, it could overheat and shut down. Make sure the fan has access to fresh incoming air so the converter is properly ventilated. The battery is not charging properly. This could be caused by using the incorrect wire size needed for the distance from the battery to the converter. Long distances between the battery and the converter cause a voltage drop in the wire which lowers the available power. Larger wire sizes help reduce the voltage drop. So, shorter wire runs between the battery and the converter, in conjunction with a larger wire size, are always a good way to help minimize the voltage drop. 1 2 3 4 5 Installation Tips from the Power Pros™ NEED MORE ASSISTANCE? Check out our online video gallery for step-by-step installation guidance for some of our most popular products @ www.wfcotech.com/support/supportvideos/ TECH TIPS 25 TECH TIPS Tailored specifically to lithium-ion batteries, take advantage of our lithium chargers: WF-8950L2PEC WF-8950L2-REP WF-8950L2-MBA WF-9850L2 These chargers will replace energy back into the lithium-ion battery to 100%, while using multi-stage charging processes. This ensures a safe operating voltage for all loads and assures the lithium cells inside the batteries remain balanced. WFCO’s Lithium-Ion Solution is comprised of three options, designed for easy installation and use in both the OEM and the Aftermarket and can safely charge any lithium-ion battery. The lithium options are outlined below: WFCO’s New Lithium-Ion Solution Finally, upgrade to our Lithium Switch products: WF-8500 Series WF-8900 Series Use any existing WFCO power center or converter to safely charge your lithium batteries. Our standard products will charge your lithium-ion battery, without damage or excessive heat so you will not have to worry about where your power supply will be coming from. The following products are lithium-ion compatible: WF-9500 Series WF-9800 Series WF-8500LiS Series WF-8700LiS Series WF-8900LiS Series WF-9500LiS Series WF-9800LiS Series WF-9900 Series WF-8900-MBA Series WF-8900-REP Series WF-68100 Series The Lithium Switch allows customers the versatility to change charging modes between lead-acid and lithium batteries by simply hitting a switch. Easy to use, this Lithium Switch provides a convenient, cheaper, long-term option that eliminates the hassle of swapping out a whole unit.

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