Is Your Model Already Lithium-Compatible?
Not all WF-8955 variants support lithium batteries. Before purchasing a replacement, check the model number and any suffix on the label at the back of the power center.
The table below shows which WFCO 8955 models are compatible with lithium batteries and how they work.
| Model | Lithium Ready | Auto-Detect | Configuration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WF-8955 | No | No | Supports lead-acid only; WFCO recommends upgrading for lithium use | wfcotech.com product listing |
| WF-8955E | No | No | Supports lead-acid only; WFCO recommends upgrading for lithium use | wfcotech.com product listing |
| WF-8955EB | No | No | Supports lead-acid only; WFCO recommends upgrading for lithium use | wfcotech.com product listing |
| WF-8955-AD | Yes | Yes | Auto-detects lithium and lead-acid; charges at 13.2 to 14.6 VDC | wfcotech.com WF-8955-AD spec page |
| WF-8955-AD-MBA | Yes | Yes | Replacement board assembly (55A) with auto-detection of battery type and automatic adjustment of charge profile. Bulk 14.4V, Absorption 13.6V, Float 13.2V. | wfcotech.com WF-8955-AD product page |
| WF-8955-AD-REP | Yes | Yes | Full replacement kit (microprocessor + board, 55A total) with auto-detection of battery type and application of correct charge profile. Rated 940W, 50/55A output. | wfcotech.com WF-8955-AD product page |
| WF-8955LiS | Yes | No | Manual lithium switch (not auto-detect). Technician or owner must manually select lead-acid or lithium mode before use. | wfcotech.com product listing |
| WF-8955ELiS | Yes | No | Manual lithium switch (not auto-detect). Technician or owner must manually select lead-acid or lithium mode before use. | wfcotech.com product listing |
| WF-8955PEC | Unknown in WFCO catalog | No | Found only in Progressive Dynamics cross-reference as a WFCO equivalent. Not listed in WFCO's direct product search. If you have this model, contact WFCO support. | progressivedyn.com converter cross-reference guide |
How to read this table: Models WF-8955, WF-8955E, and WF-8955EB (base models) support only lead-acid batteries. Models WF-8955-AD, WF-8955-AD-MBA, and WF-8955-AD-REP have built-in auto-detect technology and are lithium-ready. Models WF-8955LiS and WF-8955ELiS have a manual switch and require setting the correct mode before use. If your model is WF-8955PEC, you should contact WFCO support since it does not appear in WFCO's public catalog.
Replacement and Upgrade Options
If you have a base WF-8955 or WF-8955E and want to add lithium capability, you have four main options.
Option 1: WF-8955-AD-MBA (Board Assembly Only)
What you get: A replacement board assembly with auto-detect technology for an upgrade in place if your existing power center housing is in good condition.
- Part number: WF-8955-MBA
- Output: 55 amps at 13.2 to 14.6 VDC (lithium range)
- Auto-detect: Yes. Recognizes lithium and lead-acid automatically without user input.
- Charge profile: Bulk 14.4V DC, Absorption 13.6V DC, Float 13.2V DC
- Installation: Requires opening the power center and swapping the board. Suitable for those comfortable with 12V DC wiring.
- Cost factor: Lower cost than a full replacement, assuming the housing and other components are serviceable.
- Lithium compatibility: Yes, full support
Option 2: WF-8955-AD-REP (Full Replacement Kit)
What you get: A complete new power center with auto-detect technology, ready to drop in where the old one sits.
- Part number: WF-8955-AD-REP
- Output: 50 to 55 amps at 13.2 to 14.6 VDC
- Power: 940W total
- Auto-detect: Yes, with current-generation microprocessor logic that recognizes lithium and lead-acid automatically.
- Charge profile: Bulk 14.4V DC, Absorption 13.6V DC, Float 13.2V DC
- Warranty: WFCO provides a 2-year warranty per FAQ
- Mounting: Standard power-center footprint; check your existing cutout before ordering
- Installation: Requires disconnecting shore power, unbolting the old unit, and removing/installing all wiring. Typically a technician install.
- Cost factor: Higher than board-only, but gives you a fresh, warranted system.
- Lithium compatibility: Yes, full support. Built for auto-detect from the factory.
- Manufacturer list price: $309.99 (as of 2026-09-18, per wfcotech.com)
Option 3: Progressive Dynamics PD4655V
What you get: An alternative converter from a different manufacturer, marketed as a WFCO 8955 equivalent.
- Part number: PD4655V
- Output: 55 amps
- Auto-detect: No. This unit uses a 3-pin internal jumper to set the charge profile, which must be set manually by a qualified technician.
- Lithium support: Yes, with configuration. Per Progressive Dynamics' technical documentation, the PD4655V supports LiFePO4 when the jumper is set to the lithium position. Units made after January 2023 ship set to 14.4 VDC (lithium-ready default). Older units may require jumper adjustment.
- Key difference from WFCO-AD models: The PD4655V is not an auto-detect unit. There is no automatic battery-type sensing. The jumper position is fixed until changed. This is a usability difference, not an incompatibility. You get full lithium capability; you set it once and it stays set.
- Jumper adjustment: Do not attempt to move the jumper yourself unless confident with DC board work and power disconnection. WFCO or Progressive Dynamics support can walk you through it, or a qualified technician can perform the change. Improper placement causes incorrect charge voltages and battery damage.
- Charge profile when set to lithium: The unit maintains 14.6V (or 14.4V, depending on manufacture date) for LiFePO4 requirements.
- Lithium compatibility: Yes, verified in manufacturer primary docs (progressivedyn.com FAQ, cross-reference, 4600 jumper manual). Full support with manual jumper configuration.
Option 4: Progressive Dynamics PD9160ALV (LiFePO4-Specific Unit)
What you get: A converter designed from the ground up for lithium batteries, with no lead-acid option.
- Part number: PD9160ALV
- Output: 60 amps
- Auto-detect: No, and not needed. This unit is lithium-only.
- Charge profile: Preset for LiFePO4 charging (absorption 14.6V, float 13.2V, bulk current limited to prevent BMS cutoff).
- Best for: RV owners fully committed to lithium with no lead-acid legacy equipment.
- Lithium compatibility: Yes, 100%. The entire design is optimized for LiFePO4. No jumper configuration needed.
- Cost factor: Premium pricing for a lithium-dedicated unit.
- When to choose this: If you are certain you will never go back to lead-acid, this eliminates jumper-misconfiguration risk.
What Auto-Detect Models (WF-8955-AD) Can Do That Others Cannot
The WF-8955-AD board and replacement kit use microprocessor-based battery-type detection. When you plug in a lithium battery, the converter measures the open-circuit voltage and charge acceptance curve to identify the battery chemistry and automatically selects the correct charge profile. If you later swap to a lead-acid battery, it will re-detect and switch back. This feature provides genuine convenience: no jumpers, no technician visits, and no misconfiguration risks.
The PD4655V can charge lithium batteries correctly, but only after setting the jumper, which must remain set. The PD9160ALV can also charge lithium batteries but assumes you will not use lead-acid batteries again. Neither has the auto-switching capability of the WF-8955-AD.
Confirm Your Exact Model Before Ordering
Check the label on the back or bottom of your power center:
- Look for a suffix after "8955", such as "-AD", "-MBA", "-REP", "LiS", "ELiS", or "PEC".
- Note if the label has a WFCO name and model or another brand like "Progressive Dynamics".
- Write down or photograph the exact model number.
If your unit is labeled "WF-8955" with no suffix, you have a base unit and need an upgrade. If you see "WF-8955-AD", you are already equipped for lithium batteries. If you see "WF-8955LiS" or "WF-8955ELiS", you have the manual-switch version and are ready for lithium batteries, provided you set the switch to "lithium" before connecting a lithium bank.
No-Cost Confirmation: Check Your Existing Unit First
Before purchasing a replacement, verify your current unit:
- Turn off shore power and the main breaker.
- Find the label on the back panel of your power center.
- Note the exact model number (e.g., "WF-8955", "WF-8955-AD", "WF-8955LiS").
- Cross-reference the model against the information above.
- If your model is "WF-8955-AD", "WF-8955-AD-MBA", "WF-8955-AD-REP", "WF-8955LiS", or "WF-8955ELiS", you already have lithium capability. No replacement is needed. If it is "WF-8955", "WF-8955E", or "WF-8955EB", you will need an upgrade when you add lithium batteries.
Many RV owners install lithium batteries without realizing their converter is already auto-detect capable, resulting in unnecessary replacement costs. Checking the label first can save hundreds of dollars.
Charge Profile Specifications for the WFCO-AD Models
All WFCO WF-8955-AD variants use the following charge profile:
- Bulk charge: 14.4V DC
- Absorption: 13.6V DC (held until current tapers)
- Float: 13.2V DC (maintained when the battery is full)
- Maximum output current: 50 to 55 amperes
This profile meets LiFePO4 requirements. Battle Born, Renogy, and other lithium packs specify absorption around 14.2 to 14.6V and float around 13.2 to 13.6V, so the WF-8955-AD falls within the required range.
Why WFCO Points Base Models to "Lithium Ready Solutions"
WFCO's web pages for the base WF-8955 or WF-8955E models include a link to a "lithium ready solution." This indicates that these models are designed for lead-acid batteries only. They are not broken, but they lack the microprocessor logic for auto-detecting battery type. WFCO directs customers needing lithium battery compatibility to the -AD variants or aftermarket solutions like the PD9160ALV.
Summary: Which Option Is Right for You?
You have WF-8955-AD (or -MBA or -REP): No action is needed. You are ready for lithium use.
You have WF-8955LiS or WF-8955ELiS: You are ready for lithium, but you must set the manual switch to "lithium" before connecting a lithium bank. Do not switch the setting back and forth without turning off the power.
You have base WF-8955, WF-8955E, or WF-8955EB, and want to use lithium: Choose one of the upgrade options. The WF-8955-AD-REP is the easiest option if you prefer a new unit with warranty. The WF-8955-AD-MBA is the most cost-effective if your current power center housing is in good condition. The PD4655V, from another manufacturer, is a reliable alternative if you prefer a jumper-based configuration. The PD9160ALV is the best choice if you want to fully switch to lithium and never use lead-acid again.
You have WF-8955PEC and are unsure: Contact WFCO support at wfcotech.com/support/faq. Provide the full label information, and they will provide the specific lithium upgrade path for your model.
Sources
- WFCO WF-8955-AD Power Center Specification Sheet Primary source for WF-8955-AD specs: 940W output, 50/55A, 105-130 VAC input, lithium charge profile (bulk 14.4V, absorption 13.6V, float 13.2V), auto-detect technology description, price ($309.99 as of 2026-09-18), and 2-year warranty. Browser-verified 2026-09-18 (403 to curl, WAF blocking); HTML content extracted and verified.
- WFCO FAQ and Support Information Primary source for WFCO product guidance on float/absorption behavior, battery-type guidance, and lithium upgrade direction. Confirms that base WF-8955 models direct customers to lithium-ready solutions. Browser-verified 2026-09-18 (403 to curl, WAF blocking); FAQ content extracted and verified.
- WFCO Product Catalog: WF-8955 Model Lineup Primary source for confirming all WFCO WF-8955 variants listed in the compatibility matrix: WF-8955, WF-8955E, WF-8955EB, WF-8955-AD, WF-8955-AD-MBA, WF-8955-AD-REP, WF-8955LiS, WF-8955ELiS. Verified 2026-09-18 via product search.
- Progressive Dynamics Converter Cross-Reference Guide Primary source for the WFCO to Progressive Dynamics model mapping, including WF-8955MBA/WF-8955REP/WF-8955PEC rows and the LiFePO4 column. Confirms PD4655V is listed as a lithium-capable replacement. Verified 2026-09-18.
- Progressive Dynamics FAQ: Lithium Charging Primary source for PD4655V and lithium battery charging support. Entry 'Will a PD4635 PD4645 PD4655 charge lithium' confirms YES and provides setup instruction document link. States 'With Lithium the converter provides the power to charge, the BMS in the battery controls the charging.' Verified 2026-09-18.
- Progressive Dynamics PD4600 Jumper Settings Manual Primary source for PD4655V jumper configuration. Confirms 3-pin header jumper for lithium/lead-acid selection, center-to-LI position for lithium. Documents that units after January 2023 are set to 14.4 VDC. Verified 2026-09-18.
- Progressive Dynamics PD4600 Test Document (Jumper Voltage Specs) Primary source for PD4655V jumper voltage positions and lithium charge voltages. Confirms lithium jumper position and resulting charge profile. Verified 2026-09-18.
- Progressive Dynamics Converter Lineup: PD9100L LiFePO4 Series Primary source for PD9160ALV product presence in the PD9100L lithium-dedicated series. Confirms model exists and is purpose-built for LiFePO4. Verified 2026-09-18.
- Progressive Dynamics PD4600 Product Page Primary source for PD4655V as a WFCO 8955 replacement equivalent. Product page confirms PD4655V replaces WFCO models and documents it as compatible with lithium when configured. Verified 2026-09-18.
Published 2026-09-18. Electrical specifications are model-specific: confirm every figure against the manual for your exact equipment before acting on it.