Don't want to "Beat a Dead Horse" but...?

Baby Whoopie · 09-27-2006, 02:50 PM

Hi All,
This has been "Beat to Death" but I still have a question about damaging my battery with extended plug-in times. I have overcharged a couple of batteries due to leaving my Argosy plugged in too long. I have read in many threads the challenges with the older Univolt. I would like to bypass the battery with a "Battery Bypass" switch but am concerned about an irregular power spike that may damage something. I really don't have much to damage except for some lamps... or am I wrong? (Ps: I do not have clock etc. in my 76 Argosy).
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Tks
Mark

Zeppelinium · 09-27-2006, 03:57 PM

Do you have a new converter, say less than 5 years old? If so, you don't need to keep the batteries connected.

If you still have your original Univolt, the output voltage will be substantial without some load connected, one or two amps. Turn off all your 12V stuff, then check the voltage with and without the batteries connected. If it's below 14.5V or so with the batteries disconnected, you're OK.

zep