Voltage Regulator Output

You may have an old magnetec that needs a battery to help regulate voltage.
13.2 to 13.8 is normal battery voltage when on a converter float charge.

Does the battery have the proper water level? Does the battery hold 12.6+ volts for 3+ days when charged and disconnected?

Have the battery tested at your local autoparts store and post the converter model for best replacement options.

Sounds like the converter/charger is going bad on you. They should normally put out 13.6VDC unless they are a smart-mode technology unit then they will will put out 13.2-13.6-14.4 and sometimes 15. something.

I suspect it is going bad and you should not be using it connected to your batteries or to your trailer 12VDC Power Distribution system.

Even 13.6VDC coming from a converter/charger will start boilng out your battery fluids if left connected for a long period of time. Once the battery fluids get below the cores inside, the battery will start its self destruct mode and will have to be replaced...

Let us know what model/manf the converter is. Easy job to get replacement and if it is NOT a smart-mode technology model this is the perfect to get one. Price is almost the same and your battery will love you for it.

The easiest way to test is to test your battery without the shore power ON and you should read 12.6-7VDC across the battery terminals if the battery is fully charged. Then connect the trailer to shore power and read the DC Voltage again at the battery terminals. With the converter/charger ON you should read 13.6VDC telling you the converter/charger unit is working ok.

I would not hit my deep cycle batteries with anything higher than 14.4VDC here at my setup. It could get so hot it might blow the top off of the battery and thats alot of acid fluids getting on everything in the vicinity... Not a pretty picture...

Your 17+ DC VOLTAGE is also not good for other 12VDC items on your 12VDC Power distribution system... Flirting with big replacement dollars if 12VDC things start blowing up on you...

Just my thoughts
Roy Ken

dhill67 wrote:
I have a 1999 Four Winds TT. Recently I noticed the battery getting very hot when plugged into a shoreline. I checked the voltage at the battery with the battery removed and the regulator is cranking out 17.8 volts. I know it should be in the 12.5-13.2 volt range. Is there a way to adjust the output or will I need to replace this one?

Thanks for any feedback.

D Hill

what's the voltage with the battery installed? Installed you should be in the 13.2-13.6V range if the battery is fully charged.