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Old 07-01-2011, 09:15 AM   #1
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Univolt output voltage question

1974 univolt PD-710. When the univolt is plugged into 120ac, the three outputs are reading 20vdc. Is it not suppose to be closer to 12vdc?
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Old 07-01-2011, 10:37 AM   #2
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Is that voltage with the battery connected????
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Old 07-01-2011, 10:37 AM   #3
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do not know anything about a 74, but the output on my 1988 is 13.5 volts, read at one of the 12 outlets in the trailer with batteries hooked up and all. How are you making the reading? If it is 20 volts when hooked up and charging I am sure that is too much.
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Old 07-01-2011, 01:00 PM   #4
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1974 univolt PD-710. When the univolt is plugged into 120ac, the three outputs are reading 20vdc. Is it not suppose to be closer to 12vdc?
You can only read the output voltage correctly when a battery is hooked up to the Univolt.

Also, a cheap meter will give a false reading, without a battery, since there is a small AC component to the DC output. That's why the need for the battery hookup.

Andy
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Old 07-04-2011, 06:30 AM   #5
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Meter is a $150 digital Fluke.

Plugged into 120vac
With out battery connected 20vdc
With battery connected 16vdc

Unplugged from 120vac
battery only 12.58vdc

I added a switch to turn the battery off when plugged into 120. I did this after reading other posts about cooking batteries.

Please explain.
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Old 07-04-2011, 08:36 AM   #6
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From what I hear:
1. Univolts are notorious for boiling the battery, and only put out one voltage even when the battery has a full charge. That's why a new 3 phase is better
2. The output should be between 13-14 v DC
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Old 07-04-2011, 08:41 AM   #7
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From what I hear:
1. Univolts are notorious for boiling the battery, and only put out one voltage even when the battery has a full charge. That's why a new 3 phase is better
2. The output should be between 13-14 v DC
The output voltage of a Univolt does vary.

The greater the charge, the lesser the output voltage, as it should be.

Andy
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Old 07-04-2011, 10:04 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tiger View Post
Meter is a $150 digital Fluke.

Plugged into 120vac
With out battery connected 20vdc
With battery connected 16vdc

Unplugged from 120vac
battery only 12.58vdc

I added a switch to turn the battery off when plugged into 120. I did this after reading other posts about cooking batteries.

Please explain.
You will help preserve the batteries with the switch, but the items running off the Univolt will not like that high voltage.

I recommend replacing it with a modern 3 stage converter. It will pay for itself with longer time between battery replacements.


Ken
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Old 07-13-2011, 10:22 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Lumatic View Post
From what I hear:
1. Univolts are notorious for boiling the battery, and only put out one voltage even when the battery has a full charge. That's why a new 3 phase is better
2. The output should be between 13-14 v DC
You are correct. The Univolt will overcharge your battery everytime unless you watch it like a hawk. They only had one voltage and even Airstream is still on the dark on power converters with the Parallax they have used.
The output should be 13.6 nominal, 14.5+ for bulk/boost and 13.2-13.5 float.
Without voltage regulation, its a matter of time and you will toast your batteries and Univolts do not vary their voltage output.
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