Univolt question

[Stonew98]

My recently bought '85 Soveriegn has a Triad-ultra Model Tu-750-6 convertor, which my research suggests is the original univolt for my trailer. I'm pretty sure it is bad, but after taking out the sofa to get a better look I noticed the following which confuses me.

There is a wire coming from the univolt to a standard household light switch lying on the floor under the sofa. Then a return wire from the switch that is plugged into a normal 120V outlet above the univolt.

What is this switch for? Is it to tell the univolt to start charging the batteries when the trailer is hooked to shore power?

Thanks! Don't know what I would do without you guys...

[TG Twinkie]

Sounds like the switch is used to turn the Univolt on and off. Maybe a PO installed it to prevent the over charging of the battery(s). Do you hear a humming sound from the Univolt when the switch is on?

[idroba]

Yes, not uncommon for a PO to have added a switch to either turn the univolt off due to noise, or to reduce the chances of overcharging the batteries.

The best thing you can do with the Univolt is to replace it with something modern and effective, such as a Progressive Dynamics 9245.

[Stonew98]

Thanks all...am planning to replace the Univolt. When I flip the switch nothing at all happens with the Univolt, which in addition to the fact that my batteries are not being charged while hooked to shore power suggests the unit does not work...but will check all circuit breakers and/or fuses first.

Thanks again!

[RTurnConn]

My '85 had the same thing. Put in by the PO to turn Univolt off so it would not overcharge the batteries. I replace my Univolt with a Progressive Dynamics 9260 and I am very pleased with the results. It cycles through the various charge cycles automatically.

[casa3805]

Originally Posted by RTurnConn

My '85 had the same thing. Put in by the PO to turn Univolt off so it would not overcharge the batteries. I replace my Univolt with a Progressive Dynamics 9260 and I am very pleased with the results. It cycles through the various charge cycles automatically.

Seems to have been a trend. Ours is an 84 Sovereign. Same light switch for the univolt. Turn it on when you are hooked to shore power. And off when not. I also went with the 9260. Now I just let it work thru the cycles.

[jdalrymple]

I would just like to ask,why?

If the switch is between the wall outlet and the univolt why would one need to switch it off when not plugged into shore power? If not plugged in to shore power, there would be no 120 volt power going to the univolt in the first place.

I can see switching the connection between the batteries and the univolt to keep the charging under control, but if one switches the AC power off to the univolt, the 12 volt items in the trailer would be running on battery only. And not for very long.....

Or am I missing something?

[casa3805]

Originally Posted by jdalrymple

I would just like to ask,why?

If the switch is between the wall outlet and the univolt why would one need to switch it off when not plugged into shore power? If not plugged in to shore power, there would be no 120 volt power going to the univolt in the first place.

I can see switching the connection between the batteries and the univolt to keep the charging under control, but if one switches the AC power off to the univolt, the 12 volt items in the trailer would be running on battery only. And not for very long.....

Or am I missing something?

You did not miss anything- I misspoke. My guidance when I bought it was to leave it on when camping and on shore power, but to turn off when storing, still hooked to shore power. Point being that if there was no drain, you could ruin the batteries.

[azflycaster]

Turning the UniVolt off at night would eliminate he hummmmm.

[casa3805]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Turning the UniVolt off at night would eliminate he hummmmm.

So did replacing it with an Intelipower 9260.
Of course I wish I had placed that blinking green led light somewhere other than right in my sight line from the bed...

[pgr32e]

Originally Posted by casa3805

So did replacing it with an Intelipower 9260.
Of course I wish I had placed that blinking green led light somewhere other than right in my sight line from the bed...

Amazing just how bright it is at night. I'm lucky, mine's behind a tambour door.....Phil.

[Aage]

Originally Posted by casa3805

So did replacing it with an Intelipower 9260.
Of course I wish I had placed that blinking green led light somewhere other than right in my sight line from the bed...

A tiny piece of electrical tape will fix that! I had to do that to the TV in our sleeping quarters, the tiny little red "off" light drove me crazy!

Well, crazier...