1972 Univolt questions

[Rothermel]

Thank you for reading.

I have a 1972 Airstream Overlander and my new battery has apparently died(none of the interior lights work and the fans wont spin). I was under the assumption that the univolt charged the battery on shore power. The battery is a deep cycle marine battery and it lasted about 4 days before it died. Please let me know what I should do.

TLDR- Battery died. Univolt charges battery? Help.

[Aage]

Originally Posted by BARracuda

Thank you for reading.

I have a 1972 Airstream Overlander and my new battery has apparently died(none of the interior lights work and the fans wont spin). I was under the assumption that the univolt charged the battery on shore power. The battery is a deep cycle marine battery and it lasted about 4 days before it died. Please let me know what I should do.

TLDR- Battery died. Univolt charges battery? Help.

The real solution is to replace the 1972 "dumb" charger ASAP. More recent "smart" chargers treat your battery with respect, in that they have three levels of charge meant to maintain your battery's correct voltage without damaging it.

Are you sure the old one is even working? Four days of light service, could be that is all the battery had in it without being charged. You'll need a VTVM to tell what the output voltage is, but they are available for only a few dollars.

Take out the battery and see if it can be properly restored. The store where you bought your battery can tell you the state of your new battery and whether or not it can be brought back. If it is burnt, hopefully the warranty can help you out.

[68 TWind]

Plan on a new converter. Aage explains why in his post. I would suggest you give Randy a call at BestConverter - Converters, Inverters, Electrical Supplies, Electronics.
He can tell you exactly what you need and has fair pricing. He was great to deal with when I bought my converter to replace a the original Univolt in my 68 and to many other forum members over the years.

[Rothermel]

Thank you. I got the battery over at Walmart so I'm sure I could get a cheap replacement. What converter did you get 68 TWind?

[68 TWind]

It is an Iota brand but there are several other brands that are fine. Any of the newer converters will be better than what you have. I bought from Randy (I can't remember the other brand he said would be a good option or remember why I picked the Iota-he sold both) at Best Converters because of the positive comments I have read about him here on the forums. I'd call him, there are several considerations when selecting the right converter. He can tell you what would be best for your trailer. I will pay a little more to deal with a knowledgeable person who will be there if I have problems with the product.

[Argosy 7728]

I to purchased my PowerMax Boondocker 4 stage converter from Best Converters. Also from the positive comments here. In my case I had plans on changing the original Univolt out eventually, but had to have the new one overnighted two days before we headed out for the week, because the Univolt decided to die. Randy was very knowledgeable and got it right out to me.

[68 Overlander]

Barracuda,
Get those batteries on a charger ASAP and you will likely save them. Just don't leave them discharged. The Univolt most go regardless how you proceed from there.

[cwf]

Yes.. and Randy supplied the PowerMax for us, too after our original went up in smoke... actually.

Advice for charging batteries ASAP, is solid. Sometimes you can 'recover' them, but usually, once a battery is too far discharged, it will shorten it's life. Prepare to replace both..when you get the new Converter...

[SarahCaravel]

Shout out to the infamous, notorious fantastical Randy @ Best Converters. I did my research on Air Forums, thought I knew what I needed for a new converter, called up Randy and double checked, (the 45 amp boondocker, right? And the fb-9 fuse block. Right? Right!) Ordered my converter online. Threw in the surge protector he recommended too. This guy's customer service is SO GOOD, he called me back to say I ordered the wrong converter (apparently I ordered the more expensive manual 45 amp boondocker), saved me 50 bucks and sent me the wiring diagram I need.
Randy is the MAN.