Allow TheSmartRVer.com to break down the world of converters for new RVers. There are 3 basic components of converters that you should understand as a Smart RVer:
Note: We use WFCO brand converters as our example in this article. This information is based on newer converters with new technology for charging Lead-Acid, AGM, and Lithium Batteries.
Deck Mount Converters (9800 Series Shown)
A deck mount converter is like the power wizard for your RV. It’s a device that charges your RV’s battery, ensuring it’s always ready for action. Think of it as a “smart helper” that keeps your battery happy.
The deck mount is a stand-alone item usually mounted on the floor in a cabinet or interior storage space. It has a plug that plugs into a 110-volt wall receptacle, and it accepts two 12-volt heavy gauge wires coming from the deep-cycle battery(s)
Here’s how it works: The deck mount converter, like the WF-9855-AD, has a clever feature called Auto-Detect technology. (NOTE: Not all converters have “auto-detect” like WFCO, it may be called “Smart Charger” or something else, depending on the brand) This means it can determine whether your RV has lithium-ion, AGM, or lead-acid batteries on its own. There’s no need to press buttons or flip switches – it’s like magic!
Once it knows what kind of battery you have, the converter adjusts how it charges. For lead-acid batteries, it uses a three-stage process that takes care of everything, making sure your battery lasts a long time.
If you have lithium-ion or AGM batteries, the converter goes through different stages to keep them safe, balanced, and full of energy.
Built-in Safety – Most modern converters have two ‘Reverse Polarity Fuses”; these fuses protect the converter in case the battery is accidentally hooked up wrong. The fuse(s) will blow rather than the converter!
In simple terms, the deck mount is your battery’s best friend. It ensures your battery is charged just right, so you can enjoy your RV adventures without worrying about running out of power.
Power Center with Built-In Converter (8900 Series)
An RV power center is essential to an RV’s electrical system, providing a centralized, convenient location for your RV’s 110-volt & 12-volt power distribution with a built-in converter to keep the deep cycle battery(s) charged
An RV Power Center is made up of three components, one of them being the 110-volt circuit breakers, another is the 12-volt fuse panel, and lastly is the converter section that keeps the Deep Cycle battery(s) charged/maintained.
Let’s look at the 110-volt circuit breakers: the RV gets its 110-volt from either Shore Power, a built-in or portable generator. The 110-volt circuit breakers distribute the incoming power to power outlets in the RV, usually plug-in receptacles.
12 Volt Fuse panel: The fuses receive their power from the battery(s) and distribute the 12-volt power to the various 12-volt accessories in the RV, such as a refrigerator, lights, or furnace.
Converter Section: The converter is the battery charger. It works like a deck mount, as mentioned above.
Main Board Assembly (WF-8955MBA Series)
This main board assembly (Pictured Left), also known as a lower section (Pictured Right), replaces the lower power section on your built-in Power Center/Converter. It is a simple replacement part, installing easily with only 2 screws, 3 AC wires, and 2 DC wires. A main board assembly/lower section is the converter. The Main Board Assembly/Lower Section will charge your battery based on the type and charging requirements. This Smart Charging technology is built into all new RV Converters.
Power Distribution Centers
An RV Power Distribution Panel in an RV is the same as a power center, except without the converter section in it. It may contain both 110-volt circuit breakers and 12-volt fuses, or they could be two separate panels containing breaker and fuses.
It distributes the incoming 110-volt and 12-volt power through the 110-volt circuit breakers and 12-volt fuses. These can be used in applications when the converter is a Deck Mount, or the Converter is built into an Inverter.
Common Power Converter Brands: WFCO, Parallax, Powermax, Progressive Dynamics, Iota, Magnatek – No Longer Made
Here at The Smart RVer Podcast, it is highly recommended to use common brands and avoid the no-name brands found on some large online retailers’ websites. Poor Quality 110 Volt accessories can be a great way to burn down your RV. We can’t have that!
Lets Talk About Shore Power - 110 Volts
Basics About Shore Power: The term “Shore Power” is nautical. A vessel would get its auxiliary power from a power source while docked. It was later adapted to RV usage. Shore Power comes into play whenever an RV is plugged into a 110-volt power source with its power cord. The cord may have a 30-amp or 50-amp end, allowing it to plug into its perspective service, 30 or 50 amp.
Sometimes, adapters are used to allow the cord to be plugged into a lower amp-rating power outlet. Such as 50 to 30 amp and 30 to 15 amp. Homes have 15 amp outlets. A three-prong outlet. Some might have a 20 amp outlet, although they usually look the same or similar.
Shore power can be a house, garage, pedestal at an RV park, built-in generator, portable generator, or wherever 110 volts come from. Shore power only powers the 110-volt part of an RV; it has nothing to do with the 12-volt systems.
The above Cord Ends represent 50 amp and 30 amp RV cord ends. All RVs have one or the other. Sometimes an RVer will need to plug into their residence, and a 50 amp or 30 amp is not available, so they can use a 15 amp or 20 amp outlet. Using the appropriate adapter will make it possible. Although a true 20 amp outlet might be available, there is not an adapter that goes from 50amp or 30 amp to 20 amps. 50 to 15 or 30 to 15 adapters are what is currently available. It is okay to plug into a 20 amp outlet with a “15 amp” adapter. Any RV Parts Store can help you with this.