korbe wrote:One of the nice things about the Progressive Dynamic converters (with the pendent) is being able to verify the charging mode at a glance. Once the batteries are charged it should remain in float or maintenance mode to prevent overcharging. Have you checked your converter's output voltage output when the batteries are fully charged to verify it's actually entering and staying in float mode?westend wrote:Maybe what I have seen, batteries wet on the top, and having to add water quite often, is not overcharging. In my mind, I felt that it was. So I installed the switch and haven't needed to add water in over 5 years. My batteries are 8 years old with no signs of giving up yet. I will not tell anyone here to do anything but I will let people know what works for me.korbe wrote:Since the bulk charging specification of a T-105 is 14.8V, you must be having a converter malfunction to overcharge them.
When I first got my 6-volt T105's I watched them closely while connected to shore power. I found they overcharged even with my 3-stage converter. So I installed a disconnect switch and now when I plan on being on shore power for more than a couple days, I disconnect them. Everything still works just fine. And that is how my system works. Every system works a little bit different and to monitor your battery situation is always a good start.
Also, if a battery is left with no charge present, it is sulfating. It can be argued just how severe that is and what effect it has on batteries when intermittent charging is in place but it does remove some battery longevity (compared to the other situation,i.e. always having charge voltage present).
A drop in electrolyte level is customary and, if not excessive, does not mean batteries are being "overcharged".
skipro3 wrote:
There is some really TERRIBLE advice on this thread.
First, your RV has a 12 volt CHARGER. It is NOT meant to run ANYTHING. It is meant to charge your batteries.
Incorrect. The charger supplies amps to the house loads first and any remaining amps will charge the battery as required. Only when the house amps exceed the charger capability is there draw from the batteries.
Your batteries run the 12 volt stuff. If you try to run your 12 volt stuff off your charger without batteries bad things can happen to the 12 volt stuff AND to the charger.
Depends upon the charger as some are designed to operate w/o the battery.
skipro3 wrote:
There is some really TERRIBLE advice on this thread.
First, your RV has a 12 volt CHARGER. It is NOT meant to run ANYTHING. It is meant to charge your batteries. Your batteries run the 12 volt stuff. If you try to run your 12 volt stuff off your charger without batteries bad things can happen to the 12 volt stuff AND to the charger.
If you don't believe me and you need specifics on how or why a charger system is not designed to run loads, then go do the research.
Second, there is no reason to disconnect your batteries during the normal life of the RV unless maintenance or replacement is required. Even flooded batteries do not need to be disconnected from the charger. Doing so in order to keep electrolyte from evaporating is bad maintenance. Regular check on the battery electrolyte is required for flooded batteries. Trying to avoid this by disconnecting the batteries from the charger is bad and lazy and likely to end up with dead batteries when you forget to plug the charger back in.
skipro3 wrote:Actually Progressive Dynamics (intelli-power) is designed to run an RV with no battery connected.
There is some really TERRIBLE advice on this thread.
First, your RV has a 12 volt CHARGER. It is NOT meant to run ANYTHING. It is meant to charge your batteries. Your batteries run the 12 volt stuff. If you try to run your 12 volt stuff off your charger without batteries bad things can happen to the 12 volt stuff AND to the charger.
If you don't believe me and you need specifics on how or why a charger system is not designed to run loads, then go do the research.
Second, there is no reason to disconnect your batteries during the normal life of the RV unless maintenance or replacement is required. Even flooded batteries do not need to be disconnected from the charger. Doing so in order to keep electrolyte from evaporating is bad maintenance. Regular check on the battery electrolyte is required for flooded batteries. Trying to avoid this by disconnecting the batteries from the charger is bad and lazy and likely to end up with dead batteries when you forget to plug the charger back in.
westend wrote:korbe wrote:Since the bulk charging specification of a T-105 is 14.8V, you must be having a converter malfunction to overcharge them.
When I first got my 6-volt T105's I watched them closely while connected to shore power. I found they overcharged even with my 3-stage converter. So I installed a disconnect switch and now when I plan on being on shore power for more than a couple days, I disconnect them. Everything still works just fine. And that is how my system works. Every system works a little bit different and to monitor your battery situation is always a good start.
Also, if a battery is left with no charge present, it is sulfating. It can be argued just how severe that is and what effect it has on batteries when intermittent charging is in place but it does remove some battery longevity (compared to the other situation,i.e. always having charge voltage present).
A drop in electrolyte level is customary and, if not excessive, does not mean batteries are being "overcharged".
