Updating Your Power Center for LiFePo4: WFCO or Progressive Dynamics?

Well, needless to say the recommendations in the previous video did not trigger the lithium mode. In the video, the WFCO technician seems to indicate that they didn't want a manual switch because folks might make a mistake on which mode to use. They also make a lot of excuses for why the autodetect might not work and mostly blame the RV manufacturers - cable runs too long, wire gauge too small, etc. Their solutions aren't really workable - re-wire with heavier gauge wiring, add a second power center closer to the battery, etc. So mostly the video seems to be them trying to counter all of the negative comments on forums about how their autodetect does not work.

So I ran my battery down again and plugged into shore power with the breaker for the converter off. I then flipped the breaker and lo and behold the converter was delivering 14.2 volts at 20 amps. However, this only lasted for a few minutes before both the voltage and current fell to 13.5 volts and 4 amps. The battery gradually charged over 10 hours at that rate and topped off at 98%. The red bulk charge light never came on, and the converter stayed in lead acid mode (green light). 98% is pretty good, and I'm happy with that level of charge. Essentially the converter when plugged into shore power is in 'power mode' and trickle charging the battery due to the voltage difference - as this difference decreases the current is also decreasing until the battery and converter power are in equilibrium. This will work for me - there just isn't any 'fast charge' mode with this condition.

I've left multiple messages with WFCO tech support asking for a jumper to force the converter into lithium mode. I've gotten no response. I've tried their warranty and order lines too with no answer from anyone. Not sure what is going on, but WFCO customer service appears to be nonexistent. 

So, in the end I could have kept the original 8725 and just charged the lithium battery in 'power mode' as the 8725-AD is doing now and saved several days worth of work and some cash. But it did give me the opportunity to discover some of the sub-standard wiring that NuCamp had done and correct that. We'll see if WFCO ever contacts me. I'll probably keep sending them weekly messages and update if I hear back. 

For those trying to decide if they should replace their original WFCO 8725 with an AD model or trying to decide if they should instead go with a Progressive Dynamics model, I hope my experience helps with your decision.

@JamesDow thanks for the comments. Yeah, not sure what's going on with WFCO, but I hope they get back to me at some point.

In the end, I think your strategy is probably for the best. The existing 8725 can charge the lithium battery to well over 90% (mine is like 98% from the lead acid mode on the AD version). Solar can do the rest, or an occasional top off with an external charger to balance the cells. My PWM solar charger (Renology Voyager) will just get the battery to about 98% also - a MPPT would likely get it to 100%. But I'm probably not going to change mine out - just occasionally top off with an external charger.

So essentially my current set up is for the lithium to be slow charged by the WFCO when plugged into shore power to about 98%, the lithium to be also slow charged while connected to solar (about 4 amps at 13 v from my 100 watt solar suitcase) to about 98%, and for the lithium to also be slow charged by the tow vehicle while driving. I'll occasionally top off with my Noco Genius external battery charger to balance the cells.

In the second video I linked above with the WFCO technician, they discuss that LiFePO4 batteries shouldn't regularly be charged to 100% in order to extend their lifetime. So I feel my routine 98% charges may be better for the battery anyway.

Thanks again, and happy camping!