Univolt boiling battery! On for 12 hours!!!

[Bryanhu]

I checked my battery compartment this morning and heard my battery cooking! Ahhhhhhhhh. Apparantly the univolt is over charging. What causes this?

Do I trash and get a replacement, or try to fix it? Battery reads 13.5 volts- think it's still good? Ah one more thing, oh well. Your thoughts and ideas are always very much appreciated. Thanks. Bryan/Dallas

[john hd]

bryan

was it boiling or just out gassing as all batteries do when they charge?

some bubbling is normal and will subside after the battery becomes fully charged.

john

[thenewkid64]

Bryan,

Pull the battery and see if it still has water in it. If it does, you should be fine, I would bet it will need some. I would also check the cells with a hydrometer to see what the status of all the cells are. Sometimes a boiled battery is due to a bad cell causing the Univolt to overcharge.

[john hd]

Originally Posted by thenewkid64

Bryan,

Pull the battery and see if it still has water in it. If it does, you should be fine, I would bet it will need some. I would also check the cells with a hydrometer to see what the status of all the cells are. Sometimes a boiled battery is due to a bad cell causing the Univolt to overcharge.

DUH!

forgot about the possibility of a dead cell!

good point brett!

john

[Bryanhu]

The battery was very hot. I added alot of water so I do not know if it was empty or not. The battery is new/ never really used.

[wb13798]

been there done that. after three sets of battery's i trash
the univolt and bought a intella power 9160 with charge wizard. CAN LEAVE IT PLUGGED ALL THE TIME AS THE CHARGE WIZARD CONTROLS THE CHARGER CAN BE SET MANUALLY FOR THE DESIRED CHARGE RATE. the univolt does its thing and cooks battery's. cant set any thing.

[jjonesnc]

My Father the Electronics GURU helped me fix my Univolt. It was putting out 30 volts and boiling batteries dry in a few days, im lucky they didnt explode.
Replaced Capacitors with 2-20UF@480 VAC wired in series which gives 10UF@960VAC. Works great now!

[j&jsoldsilver]

I had the exact same problem. I smelled the rotten egg odor inside & knew something was wrong. The univolt had boiled approx. one-half gallon of water out of a relatively new battery in 24 hours. Thanks for info. on a fix. I may have to wait a little while to get to it though. I the meantime I will disconnect the negative cable when connected to AC power. When trailering I will reconnect the battery cable to activate the emergency disconnect switch if needed.

[Bryanhu]

Installed an new 9100 with the "Charge Wizard". I am now happy! man, the voltage, is EXACTLY the way the manual says and I think I have now nothing to worry about. Also got AC installed yesterday! Ready to go!
Bryan