Battery Question??

pianotuna wrote:
abc40kids if you are going to upgrade to a seriously better method of charging it needs to include temperature compensation and the ability to adjust the voltage set points.

The PD is better than the WFCO, but light years behind what I'm suggesting.

Do you have an inverter? Do you want to acquire one?

I'm actually good right now, just trying to figure out why my battery was leaking. I've never had any charging issues at all. I'm gonna use an Odyssey Extreme PC-680 AGM battery. Thanks

abc40kids if you are going to upgrade to a seriously better method of charging it needs to include temperature compensation and the ability to adjust the voltage set points.

The PD is better than the WFCO, but light years behind what I'm suggesting.

Do you have an inverter? Do you want to acquire one?

pianotuna wrote:
No.

abc40kids wrote:
I think that is what I'm gonna do (un-hook when not in use) just was concerned with the leakage on top?? Never had any charging issues and while my WFCO converter isn't the best I'm told it's not the worst. I'm guessing when it leaks on top it's possibly a bit over-heated or over-charging. If I was to go with a Progressive Dynamics converter would this possibly eliminate the possible over-charging??

I spoke to WFCO and they told me a few things to check to see if the converter is the issue. Everything I checked came back good.... I've been told by two manufactures that my leak issue is probably not an overflow issue but possibly a problem at the positive terminal, maybe a small crack?? Either way I have read the Progressive converter is better and I can get that one thru one of my suppliers so it will be with me next trip if there is an issue. I don't think my converter is bad but I've been camping many times with someone near me with a bad one so maybe I can help someone out if their's goes bad and it will be there if I need it.

No.

abc40kids wrote:
I think that is what I'm gonna do (un-hook when not in use) just was concerned with the leakage on top?? Never had any charging issues and while my WFCO converter isn't the best I'm told it's not the worst. I'm guessing when it leaks on top it's possibly a bit over-heated or over-charging. If I was to go with a Progressive Dynamics converter would this possibly eliminate the possible over-charging??

abc40kids wrote:
I think that is what I'm gonna do (un-hook when not in use)...

Just to be clear about what others wrote above, you need to disconnect the batteries if you're going to do that. Isolate the battery bank. If you don't, parasitic draw will ruin your battery in a few weeks. Personally I'm in the camp that says stay connected to shore power all the time, if an outlet is convenient to your storage site. If not, install and use a disconnect, and be sure it disconnects all loads.

abc40kids wrote:
...Never had any charging issues and while my WFCO converter isn't the best I'm told it's not the worst. I'm guessing when it leaks on top it's possibly a bit over-heated or over-charging. If I was to go with a Progressive Dynamics converter would this possibly eliminate the possible over-charging??

My experience with WFCO converters is that it is very unlikely one is over-charging your battery. Just the opposite, they rarely will go into boost mode at all, even though they supposedly have that mode. Far more likely that you overfilled, or spilled.

Progressive Dynamics makes a far better converter, no question about that, and it will give you a proper boost mode and a better charge. But if the WFCO is working for you, and especially if you don't camp off-grid much, it might not be worth it to you to upgrade.

I think that is what I'm gonna do (un-hook when not in use) just was concerned with the leakage on top?? Never had any charging issues and while my WFCO converter isn't the best I'm told it's not the worst. I'm guessing when it leaks on top it's possibly a bit over-heated or over-charging. If I was to go with a Progressive Dynamics converter would this possibly eliminate the possible over-charging??

Hi,

Electrolyte expands as it reaches 100% state of charge. So if the battery was filled to the bottom of the ring, then as it charged the levels rose. Best practise is to make sure the plates are covered, then charge, then top up and charge before next use.

abc40kids wrote:
My camper is always hooked to shore power and it's possible that I did put a little more distilled water in than I should have last time I filled it. I have noticed it wet before but never any issues with the battery.

If not using it for extended periods why leave it connected to anything at all? Disconnect battery at posts & give it a once a month top up with a charger at most. With no loads the battery will lose no more than 10 % power per month.

My camper is always hooked to shore power and it's possible that I did put a little more distilled water in than I should have last time I filled it. I have noticed it wet before but never any issues with the battery.

Hi,

Did you by any chance, top up the electrolyte before charging the battery bank?