Univolt common problem

[71tradewind]

I have discovered a common problem with older Univolts,and have sucessfully repaired 3 of them for less than $ 40 each . I found the problem to be the capacitors go bad with age , I have seen 2 failure modes the first and prob. most common is the Univolt just sits there and hums ....no output what so ever, the second is the univolt puts out 12 volts just fine but can only light 2 or 3 lights before becoming overloaded. In both case the the old "Caps" were at fault . In the first instance the Cap just is just shorted across the transformer causing no output , the second example when the Cap shorted it caused the transformer winding to melt or break off right at the cap . Both are easily fixed if your handy with a soldering iron ! The caps ,there are 3 of them , all need to be replaced ,DO NOT replace only 1 you MUST replace all 3. The part # on the GE brand caps are 72F6476 the values are ,60 hz ,4uf ,660 volt. If you cant find 660 volt caps ,I have had good results with 440 volt caps , just make sure they have the ,4uf , value. I hope this is helpful to some of you ,I will post the model #'s of the Univolts I have repaired as soon as I can .

[pbarratt]

We stock 4 ufd, 440 VAC capacitors, in the 1.25 inch oval footprint. They are 1-9/16 inches high (things got smaller with newer technology). They have 1/4 inch quick connect tab connectors. They go for $4.82 USD each. There is a $5.95 S/H charge per order for UPS ground delivery to the lower 48 states. No minimum order quantity. We accept Amex, M/C, and Visa.

Hope this helps.

Call or e-mail me for more info or to place an order.

Peter Barratt
York Capacitor Corp.
(802) 655-2550
pbarratt@yorkcapacitor.com
www.yorkcapacitor.com

[71tradewind]

Thanks Peter i have been lookin for a good source.

[pbarratt]

This is an update. York Capacitor is no longer in the business having sold to another company who is moving the manufacturing out of the country. They could not compete with the imports and the new owners are demanding a considerably higher premium.

Regards.

[Granny Ham]

OK, I'm a newby here and we have one of those apparently rare 1974 Excella 500's. Anyway we're having major problems with the 12 volt system...nuthin' works! Replaced the missing 50 amp fuse from the neg. line, but still nuthin'. It's a Univolt V & looks new, but it just sits there..doesn't even hum. All the fuse in it look good...where do we go from here. By the way, what's up with the rivets??

Thanks for any advice...Granny

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by Granny Ham

OK, I'm a newby here and we have one of those apparently rare 1974 Excella 500's. Anyway we're having major problems with the 12 volt system...nuthin' works! Replaced the missing 50 amp fuse from the neg. line, but still nuthin'. It's a Univolt V & looks new, but it just sits there..doesn't even hum. All the fuse in it look good...where do we go from here. By the way, what's up with the rivets??

Thanks for any advice...Granny

Granny,

Maybe the circuit breaker for that outlet is tripped. Plug a light into the outlet and see if the light works.

Bill

[Hippo]

You have answered my questions on the uni-volt. Mine just hums no battery charging lights work OK. I will remove the unit and get the parts to fix it. Going on a long vacation this year so it is time to fix all the little things.

[C Johnson]

Time to buy an Intellipower and forget about the univolt. Of course thats just my opinion . Swap old technology for new. At least the Intellipower won't boil your batteries dry.

Oh yeah, then join us up in Wenatchee, Wa. for a forums rally in April !

Chris

[Buttercup]

I agree - the intellipower (or really any modern staging charger/power supply) will perfectly replace the old univolt and they can be placed such that you never know the old unit was gone. They are compact, lightweight and very reliable. Heck, one of them could pay itself in not boiling one set of batteries and in fact by properly maintaining the batteries they will extend the number of years you go before you would normally have to replace the batts.

[Happycampers]

If you nothing else.. replace the univolt with an intellipower and a charge wizard... did that to the Argosy we just sold and it will be the first change in the new to us 1979 30' Argosy... the univolt is only good as an anchor .. Annie

[Zeppelinium]

Not only does the Intellipower boil off significantly less water, they weigh 7 lbs compared to the Univolt's 47 bazillion lbs.

[TomW]

I reluctantly gave up my Univolt for three stage charging. I'm sure you will be happy with the Intellipower, but be sure to explore your options.

Tom

[TomW]

Originally Posted by TomW

I reluctantly gave up my Univolt for three stage charging.

Okay, Andy R, let's try that again:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...stage+charging

BTW, the WFCO unit is great. Head-n-shoulders above the Univolt.

Tom

[TomW]

Fine.

Do a search for " 3 stage charging"

Tom

[CanoeStream]

68 Overlander is a commercial vendor. My impression is that 3-stage charging is an improvement over Intellipower with Charge Wizard. The thread link seemed to attract a lot of input from knowledgeable people -- not myself of course. Anybody offer any direct experience with 3-stage charging?

[TomW]

Cool, your link worked no better than my repeated attempts. Moderators?

I have direct experience - I tried to share it in my two failed attempts at posting a link to the thread.

Tom

[CanoeStream]

Maybe the mods are watching the NCAA B-ball selections and working on their picks ... .

How can we fool the software? This is not a hyperlink (ie, you can't just click on it). Copy the following into your browser address window and hit Return: airstreamforums.com/forums/f206/got-3-stage-charging-yet-17326.html

Yep! That works!!

[Hippo]

OK thanks for all the info I will remove the uni-volt and replace it with a modern unit.
Chuck

[bryanl]

Originally Posted by Canoe stream

My impression is that 3-stage charging is an improvement over Intellipower with Charge Wizard.

The charge wizard does provide 3 stage charging. It also provides battery maintenance functions.

see http://www.progressivedyn.com/chargewizard_home.html

My impression is that the Intellepower charge wizard setup is a bit kinder on your batteries that some dedicated 3 stage chargers. Its battery maintenance is also a significant improvement over many of the alternatives.

[Gonyo73]

71tradewind, to access the capacitors did you just pop the rivets to the univolt case and then you could get to them to replace them? Thanks for the info, I also have a 71 tradewind 25'.