Progressive Dynamics Converter/Charger 4645 - AGAIN

[xzyHollyxyz]

Several days ago, I asked you all about why my Charge Wizard Remote Pendant kept flashing quickly, meaning "normal mode", not "storage mode". You said it takes a while to go into storage mode (SLOWLY flashing) and that I should be patient.

Well, I went out to the trailer just now and the thing is in Boost Mode. There is nothing on in the trailer, except the CO alarm, the radio is "glowing" (but not on), and the little red light on the tv (indicating it's off). Refrigerator is off and no lights have been on at all.

I measured the voltage at the charger and it's 14.4 (or something close to that).

Is there anything I can do to test this thing? I am afraid to get on the road, heading toward Baja and not have a battery.

Sigh.

[mena661]

That's bad. Should take weeks, maybe even months, to go from 12.8 to 12.4. You shouldn't be going through batteries like this.

[xzyHollyxyz]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Mitch,

Disconnect the battery (no charge, no loads) for 24 hours, then measure the voltage. If it is not 12.6 or better then it may be replacement time.

The battery has been sitting on the garage floor for 45 minutes or so now. It just measured 12.4V. Is that good, or bad, or too early to tell?

[pianotuna]

Hi Mitch,

Disconnect the battery (no charge, no loads) for 24 hours, then measure the voltage. If it is not 12.6 or better then it may be replacement time.

[time2roll]

mitch5252 wrote:
I am now going to Google how to check the water on a battery...isn't that stuff acid?

Does Interstate still have a translucent case? Probably just look through and estimate if the plates are covered. Also look if one cell is very high or low compared to the others.

Otherwise just let the battery cool down if warm then take it in to your local interstate dealer and let them deal with it.

[xzyHollyxyz]

ernie1 wrote:
Mitch 5252,
Call the manufacturers of the Charge Wizard. I had a similar issue with mine and so I called them and they figured it was their unit that was bad and sent me another for free and now everything is working fine.

I did call PD. The lady said that I need to check the battery. That is all she offered me. I will call back if the battery is good.

[mena661]

smkettner wrote:
Every 21 hours it does boost mode for 15 minutes. Did you get lucky?

Otherwise first suspect is the battery. Disconnect the battery negative and let it rest. 4645 can stay on. See if the battery holds 12.6+ volts after several days.
How is the water level?

X2

[ernie1]

Mitch 5252,
Call the manufacturers of the Charge Wizard. I had a similar issue with mine and so I called them and they figured it was their unit that was bad and sent me another for free and now everything is working fine.

[xzyHollyxyz]

OP here - I call PD and they said to suspect the battery. I pulled it out and I will take it up to Interstate as soon as I can.

If it's the battery, I have had nothing but trouble with Interstates, although most everyone claims they're good batteries. I have had 2 go bad on my 4-wheeler, and this trailer battery had a bad cell from the get-go brand new, and I didn't realize it until on the road to Alaska last Spring (2012). An Interstate dealer in Montana replaced it at no charge, and this current battery is the replacement.

Arghhh...

I am now going to Google how to check the water on a battery...isn't that stuff acid?

[time2roll]

Every 21 hours it does boost mode for 15 minutes. Did you get lucky?

Otherwise first suspect is the battery. Disconnect the battery negative and let it rest. 4645 can stay on. See if the battery holds 12.6+ volts after several days.
How is the water level?

[Sloop_Smitten]

The unit might not go into storage mode for a couple of days with no use. If you turn on a light, or anyhting electrical, the process can start over again. It sounds like you have a lot of electrical devices pulling power when you think they are off. The CO alarm, radio and TV are all pulling power. There may be other devices you are not aware of, the antenna power supply comes to mind. I would not expect you will ever see storage mode in that situation. The charger probably went into boost mode to replenish the power that those devices are using. Sounds like the converter is working properly. You might want to confirm the health of your batteries. Going into boost mode usually means the converter is unable to keep up with the current draw and that can be an indication of failing batteries. If you are going to have electrical hookups in baja, which you would need for the converter, I would not be overly concerned.

[midnightsadie]

call pro and ask them to walk you thru it.

[Mandalay_Parr]

Maybe your battery is bad.