|
07-01-2011, 09:15 AM
|
#1
|
Rivet Master
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Currently Looking...
Wauwatosa
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 810
|
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?
|
|
|
07-01-2011, 10:37 AM
|
#2
|
3 Rivet Member
1974 27' Overlander
Sault ste Marie
, Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 166
|
Is that voltage with the battery connected????
|
|
|
07-01-2011, 10:37 AM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,095
|
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.
|
|
|
07-01-2011, 01:00 PM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tiger
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
|
|
|
07-04-2011, 06:30 AM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Currently Looking...
Wauwatosa
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 810
|
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.
|
|
|
07-04-2011, 08:36 AM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
|
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
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
|
|
|
07-04-2011, 08:41 AM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lumatic
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
|
|
|
07-04-2011, 10:04 AM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tiger
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
|
|
|
07-13-2011, 10:22 PM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
New Borockton
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,593
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lumatic
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.
__________________
Randy...Converters, Inverters, Trimetric, Surge Protectors, Zamp, Smartplug, AGM Batts
888-828-1893
Bestconverter.com
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|