Univolt with Battery Minder

COArgosy78 · 02-07-2003, 02:37 PM

We just purchased a deepcycle 12V Trojan battery and want to maintain it. We are looking to purchase the BatteryMinder, but being a novice, I am reading this thread and not sure all questions in my head are answered.

1. Do we keep BatteryMinder hooked to battery when we are at a fullhookup site using Univolt to convert AC to 12V? or

2. Do we unhook(not sure we have a battery selector switch to turn off battery from Univolt) battery and not use because the Univolt will run with the full hookup?

3. If #2 is correct, do we even need the BatteryMinder while on the road to maintain the battery - or do we hook the battery to it when we return to recharge?

We will be gone 7-10 days. Total confusion at this point!! Leigh

74Argosy24MH · 02-07-2003, 07:14 PM

Use the battery minder to maintain the battery between camping trips, the univolt will charge it while you are plugged in. The battery will help regulate the univolt output, I would leave it hooked up.

John

ALANSD · 02-07-2003, 07:23 PM

The battery minder used between camping trips will be better for your battery than leavuing the univolt plugged in while storing the camper. Mine stayed plugged in for too long i guess, as one of my coach batteries died, and the other was weakened by overcharging. I bought a deep cycle battery charger with a lower voltage charge rate for storing the motorhome, and it seems to be working out well. I now have only one coach battery, but that seems to work as i run the generator often when on the road, and plug in when camping.
I also use an inverter (small plug in type) for my kids to watch tv or play video games when on the road and the generator isn't running.

COArgosy78 · 02-07-2003, 08:32 PM

Ok.... I am getting the idea that the BatteryMinder is to use at home after trips or for wintering the battery outside of the TT (like in a garage or basement, hooked to the BM) to keep the amps of the battery up to 100%. Not to use on the road?? Right?

Now, our upcoming trip will be to a full hookup site. So ??? is - do we unhook battery and just use the Univolt. Another thread has suggested that the Univolt will work to run everything electrical w/o the battery. Is that true? If the AC hookup craters or if Univolt quits, we have the battery as backup to use, but it is not necessary if the full hookup and Univolt are functioning?

We will be looking into getting a generator for those times we are boondocking (which is most often), but, I want to concentrate first on understanding what we need for this upcoming trip to a campsite with full hookups. Thanks, Leigh

**john hd** · 02-08-2003, 01:06 AM

the battery acts as a reserve and a filter.

leave it hooked up when camping. during periods of high load, when you have everything in the trailer turned on both the battery and the univolt supplies power to the 12v system.

when you turn lights pump fans off the univolt automaticly recharges the battery.

they work together, you will notice the lights will dim less or not at all when motors run.

the univolt should not overcharge a battery, just check the water level on a monthly basis.

the battery minder is good for long term storage.

when you boondock running a generator, and run out of gas, you will not need to stumble outside in the dark if you have the battery hooked up!

john

COArgosy78 · 02-08-2003, 11:07 AM

There seems to be some controversy about the Univolt and the battery when hooked up to AC power? I have read several threads where the conversation is related directly to overcharge occuring. (the Univolt can't detect when battery is fully charged) Dire warnings about new batteries being burned up by overcharge thru the Univolt. This is what is confusing.

In a thread called "Univolt Facts" it was stated that the battery could be switched off (unhooked) and the Univolt used as a stand-alone running off the AC. Is that true or bad for the Univolt? We wonder because as my husband used the battery when bringing home the trailer, it worked. At home we hooked trailer into AC with battery still wired up (that was off&on for about a week). When we trailered the Argosy down to its winter home, we spent 1 night boondocking. We only used the lights and on that trip, they went dim almost immediately. We arrived at our destination, took battery to have it checked, it was dead. We don't know how old the battery was, so hard to determine if time spent plugged into AC here at home did a number on the battery thru Univolt or whether it was just it's time, but now that we have Brand NEW battery, don't want to make same mistake!!!

What is the consensus? Inquiring minds want to know??? Leigh

**john hd** · 02-08-2003, 12:08 PM

leigh

the attached is right out of my manual. make of it what you will...

john

**john hd** · 02-08-2003, 12:10 PM

sorry about the quality of that, it is the best my scanner will do!

better than nothing i guess.

john

**Pick** · 02-08-2003, 04:07 PM

Leigh, battery maintenance is simple. Just pull the caps off and check the water/acid level. Check them every 2 weeks or so. With my Exide dual starting/deep cycle battery I added a few oz of water after using it all summer from May to October. Battery is out of the Airstream in the shop setting on the battery minder. Univolt is on, furnace running right now, off Univolt, with no battery. No worries.

COArgosy78 · 02-08-2003, 05:17 PM

OK Pick - Gotca!! Appliances work with just Univolt. No need to worry it will burn up or short out. Thanks - Leigh

davidz71 · 02-08-2003, 11:39 PM

Leigh,
I agree with everyone here. I use my BatteryMinder to keep the batteries topped off and unplug when I go boondocking (solar panel keeps battery close to the top). If I am in a campground for a weekend, my Magnetek keeps the batteries up. If I feel that they may be charging too much, I unplug the charger overnight. I could also plug in the BatteryMinder but usually don't. I think you will be fine on your trip, just plug in the BatteryMinder when you get back home.

73ANDY · 03-04-2003, 05:40 PM

Hey Craig, You stated that you sometimes hook up the BM while camping instead of using the Magnetek in the A/S. When you do this do you unhook the battery cables going to the univolt and then clip on the BM, or, do you leave the univolt cables hooked up and just clip the BM right over them?

rick

paul k · 03-04-2003, 06:45 PM

If you leave your trailer pluged in make sure that you check your fluid level often at the very least once a month I noticed that the battery that I cooked was extreamly low in fluids That was my fault for not checking my fluid level. On my new batery I have been checking my fluid level every two or three weeks and I only keep it pluged in for one week out of every month and so far no problems

davidz71 · 03-07-2003, 05:29 PM

Rick,
The BatteryMinder has a quick disconnect with 2 types of connectors to the battery. One set has ring terminals and the other has standard clamps. I connected the ring terminals to one of my Delco Voyager batteries in the battery box to the left of my propane tanks and leave the quick disconnect hanging outside the top of the door where there is a vent hole. Since the right hand battery box/battery is wired into the system, they both get charged at the same time. My Magnetek has the standard 3 prong plug and is plugged into a 110 v. outlet within the front entertainment center. I can unplug it anytime when connected to 110 v. shorepower or unplug the 110 v. at the 30 amp. plug. At this point I can run a heavy extension cord to 15 amp. shorepower and plug the BatteryMinder in or I could conceivably plug the BatteryMinder into the same 110 v. outlet the Magnetek was plugged into and then use the clamps to clamp onto the + and - poles within the 12 v. fuse panel. I opt for the former and it has been fine for almost 2 yrs. now.