|
|
12-19-2010, 10:45 AM
|
#21
|
x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rebelstand
Shawn got the battery put in around midnight. We took the old one back to walmart for testing and disposal. The guy says it was dead and he wasn't sure if it would hold a charge. He could hook it up and try to charge it, but Shawn just decided to leave it ... considering the age of it.
|
Nicki what's the voltage at the battery now when plugged in. Test it again unplugged and with TV and let us know. The readings should tell us if you are receiving a charge from the converter and from the TV.
|
|
|
12-19-2010, 08:17 PM
|
#22
|
Certainly Blessed
1971 27' Overlander
Waiting to Escape....
, Somewhere between sanity and insanity ... on the brink of both.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,791
|
Shawn said it's 12.14 on shore power. He hasn't had a chance to do the others. I'm watching one of my favorite shows and might hurt him if he unplugged me!
|
|
|
12-19-2010, 09:26 PM
|
#23
|
x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rebelstand
Shawn said it's 12.14 on shore power. He hasn't had a chance to do the others. I'm watching one of my favorite shows and might hurt him if he unplugged me!
|
Nicki 12.14VDC while connected to shore power is too low. Either your converter is not working or something is hindering the converter from providing the power to the battery. It is important to get the other measurements to see what changes take place to voltage levels at the battery under the different situations in order to try and diagnose the problem.
|
|
|
12-20-2010, 07:43 AM
|
#24
|
Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
|
Yes, Chris is right. When you are plugged into shore power, and the converter is on, you should see about 13.6 volts at the battery terminals, assuming the battery is not totally discharged.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
|
|
|
12-20-2010, 08:09 AM
|
#25
|
Certainly Blessed
1971 27' Overlander
Waiting to Escape....
, Somewhere between sanity and insanity ... on the brink of both.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,791
|
Once we stop for the day, he's going to take out the univolt and inspect. Any suggestions? Would a $30 battery charger plugged into the back directly on the terminals suffice until we get home? We'll be stopped for 6 days or so -- should we try and do some sort of retrofit, install a new system (not sure how hard it is to do that) or just try and get by until we get home? Remember, we just put a brand-new battery in (so we can rule that out at this point), and up until 3 days ago, the univolt seemed to be humming and working properly.
|
|
|
12-20-2010, 08:15 AM
|
#26
|
x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
|
Nicki is the univolt still humming now. Yes a battery charger would help in the short term. Have you checked battery voltage with TV plugged in and running.
|
|
|
12-20-2010, 08:47 AM
|
#27
|
Rivet Master
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford,
, Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
|
If in doubt about the battery, a NAPA or Autozone store can do a load test and check for a dead cell. If the battery is OK, they will give is a fast charge at high amps, that should give you a couple of days for the fridge control board to work.
__________________
__________________
Bruce & Rachel
__________________
68 Trade Wind
2001 Toyota Tundra
|
|
|
12-20-2010, 09:09 AM
|
#28
|
Certainly Blessed
1971 27' Overlander
Waiting to Escape....
, Somewhere between sanity and insanity ... on the brink of both.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,791
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by wasagachris
Nicki is the univolt still humming now. Yes a battery charger would help in the short term. Have you checked battery voltage with TV plugged in and running.
|
this morning
he said he checked several times and all reading were between 11.5 and 11.7.
11.7 with tv connected,
with shore power it was 11.51..
he forgot to check the without power but plans on checking them all again when we unhitch today.
Shawn says he hasn't heard the univolt humming all day or last night. Our battery level has not registered in the green (good) since we left OKC.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 68 TWind
If in doubt about the battery, a NAPA or Autozone store can do a load test and check for a dead cell. If the battery is OK, they will give is a fast charge at high amps, that should give you a couple of days for the fridge control board to work.
|
We ended up getting a brand new battery yesterday. This morning it registered on the low side of fair.
|
|
|
12-20-2010, 09:25 AM
|
#29
|
_
.
, .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
|
clearly the charger isn't charging.
the simplest approach is to use a traditional charger for these few days,
whenever shore power is available.
IF rv battery use is limited to the fridge electronics and cooling is done with lpgas this will get ya through the trip.
while parked/plugged in the furnace/water pump and lights will still require 12v but direct REcharge as needed will work.
the trailer brakes SHOULD function via the 7pin, but please be sure of that.
____________
it's never fun to make major repairs while in route or on a short trip...
especially when the goal of the trip is a few days of family fun.
shipping parts overnight is crazy expensive and u might be hurried into picking the wrong (expensive) replacement.
you will be passing by several BIG camping worlds, so it is possible to stop and buy the gear.
but unless you wanna replace the uni' with another uni', the process of install/upgrade will use a full day (or more)
_____________
sometimes it is necessary to modify plans to accomplish the main goals.
ultimately the memories should be about disney and kids.
so if it's necessary to ditch the fridge food or use ice chests or buy a small 12v cooler (plugged into the tow vehicle)...
i'd simply wait on replacing/upgrading the trailer charge system,
till the fun part is over and the rig is back in dry dock.
cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
|
|
|
12-20-2010, 05:54 PM
|
#30
|
Certainly Blessed
1971 27' Overlander
Waiting to Escape....
, Somewhere between sanity and insanity ... on the brink of both.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,791
|
Shawn has bought a battery charger. Since 11 of our lights run on 12v and only 3 run on shore power and he has work until Thursday, trying to do big repairs just doesn't make sense. Although, he's had to repair two small water pipe leaks today!!
A very sincere thanks to everyone!
|
|
|
12-20-2010, 06:03 PM
|
#31
|
Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
|
If you are in the market for a converter to replace the Univolt. There is an Inteli-Power PD9245C on EBay for $129.59 including shipping. It has a 45 amp capacity which should work for you.
If you decide to upgrade; there are plenty of people in the forum to walk you thru it.
I for one will be happy to help. Along with others that helped; we walked a lady thru the complete rewire of her trailer. She had no experience prior to this.
If you go to the member lucymcdog and follow the post labeled "Electrical & 12v System" thread. It will show you how we did it. Caution! it is a long read.
WE DO PICTURES AND EVERYTHING!
|
|
|
12-20-2010, 07:38 PM
|
#32
|
Certainly Blessed
1971 27' Overlander
Waiting to Escape....
, Somewhere between sanity and insanity ... on the brink of both.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,791
|
Thanks I will forward that to Shawn. I am sure it will help him out. Thanks so much!
|
|
|
01-02-2011, 07:33 PM
|
#33
|
Certainly Blessed
1971 27' Overlander
Waiting to Escape....
, Somewhere between sanity and insanity ... on the brink of both.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,791
|
Just wanted to let you know..
we bought a battery charger that got us through the trip safe, warm & lighted.
There never was a "hum" from the univolt again.
Shawn took out the "Univolt" today. Here's the pic:
Pretty sure this was a PO modification. We will be shopping for a new one soon.
|
|
|
01-02-2011, 07:38 PM
|
#34
|
Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
|
Well that's nothing but a battery charger, and not a very good one either. Also, it's not big enough (not enough capacity).
Glad you were able to continue with your trip OK.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
|
|
|
01-02-2011, 08:57 PM
|
#35
|
Certainly Blessed
1971 27' Overlander
Waiting to Escape....
, Somewhere between sanity and insanity ... on the brink of both.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,791
|
Exthemius requested I show you this picture as well.
Naturally the only thing we could see was the fusebox portion. Since it had always worked we didn't ever pull it out to look at it. I have to say they did an excellent job of cutting the original metal box.
|
|
|
01-03-2011, 06:38 AM
|
#36
|
Addicted
1971 27' Overlander
Currently In: Skowhegan
, ME
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 703
|
Yes, that was a helluva surprise when I took it out and found that POS in there....walked into the house giggling. Anyway, here's what we're planning on buying and hooking up to the existing distribution panel: PD 9245C 45 Amp RV Converter/Charger.
|
|
|
01-03-2011, 07:00 AM
|
#37
|
Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by exthemius
Yes, that was a helluva surprise when I took it out and found that POS in there....walked into the house giggling. Anyway, here's what we're planning on buying and hooking up to the existing distribution panel: PD 9245C 45 Amp RV Converter/Charger.
|
That should do just fine.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
|
|
|
01-04-2011, 07:31 AM
|
#38
|
Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
|
Converter
If you go to www.keithsrvsurplus.com You can get the same converter new for less than $125.00. Go to "Interior Parts"
|
|
|
02-07-2011, 11:29 AM
|
#39
|
3 Rivet Member
1975 24' Argosy 24
Burlington
, Ontario
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 109
|
Firstly How old is your Battery.? If it is a deep cycle then it should be good for up to 5 years but not much more. How is the water level in the battery.
Corrosion is not always noticeable. a bright connection is needed. Check the isolation diode in the Univolt.
The univolt is a 6 volt transformer with a doubler circuit to give you the 12VDC. a leaky diode can lower the charge rate.
CHECK ALL CONNECTIONS LEADING TO THE BATTERY
Rae
|
|
|
02-07-2011, 12:15 PM
|
#40
|
Addicted
1971 27' Overlander
Currently In: Skowhegan
, ME
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 703
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by raebaker06
Firstly How old is your Battery.? If it is a deep cycle then it should be good for up to 5 years but not much more. How is the water level in the battery.
Corrosion is not always noticeable. a bright connection is needed. Check the isolation diode in the Univolt.
The univolt is a 6 volt transformer with a doubler circuit to give you the 12VDC. a leaky diode can lower the charge rate.
CHECK ALL CONNECTIONS LEADING TO THE BATTERY
Rae
|
It wasn't the battery or the univolt -- it was the fact that the "univolt" that we could see was only the fuse panel.....we discovered that the PO simply put in a small battery charger in it's place we removed it. This has since been corrected, as seen here:
Airstreaming Dreaming: Intelli-power Installation.....DONE!
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|