Bypassing charger Magnatek 6332

[silverbullet555]

The camper we bought has a magnatek 6332 converter/charger. It had a battery in it that was 2 years old which has now been replaced because of bad cells. No biggie. But, I am not too sure on 30 year old tech for charging batteries and keeping them happy. I like to keep the camper plugged in when home so the fridge is cold and I can putter around.

That being said, I believe the magnatek will cook the battery again. I know I can buy a replacement panel for $200ish and I certainly will entertain that. I'm open to other ideas too.

But, in the meantime, while we are still fleshing this whole camper thing out, I'd like to simply not use the charger.

I figured, just remove the batter while at home, cover the positive lead and charge the battery using another charger in the garage. Then when we are ready to leave, plop the battery in and go. If I need to plug in while on the road, in short time frames, I assume it wouldn't fry the battery.

Good idea?
Bad idea?
Alternate idea?

[Gjac]

What voltage is your Magnatek charger putting out? My Magnatek 950 has never charged more than 13.6 v when new and now charges 13.2 v after 25 years of use. I never under stood how this voltage will destroy a set of 2 6v GC batteries or be a battery boiler. Check your output voltage, as some of these older chargers can increase in charging voltage over time and if left on for months at a time can use a lot of water. If voltage is OK you have something else going on with your batteries. Another option is to buy a portable 40 amp charger like the B&D or Stanley which will quickly recharge your batteries and has an equalizing and desulfating function and will charge and maintain your batteries much better, then use your Magnetek as a converter and to top charge your batteries after your "smart charger" says full.

[towpro]

I also recommend best converter. and there is nothing wrong with the boondocker series they sell.

[NRALIFR]

silverbullet555 wrote:
........ Did you replace with the one that goes right into that spot or take another route? I certainly like the potential of an easy swap with no fab required. Is it worth the extra money? Don't know.......

Yes, I replaced mine with the PD 4645. I needed the replacement to fit in that space, as I don’t have another spot that lends itself as well as that one does.

That was about 10 years ago I’d say, and if I were to need to do it today, I’d probably choose the PD 4645VL for the lithium battery support. It’s selectable with a jumper, so you can use it with a non-lithium as well. I think it’s worked out quite well. I don’t have the Charge Wizard pendant, I just open the front cover and use the button on the new fuse board. The charge wizard is built into the board, the pendant is just a remote button.

:):)

[silverbullet555]

NRALIFR wrote:
Another good reason to get rid of the Magnatek is what you’re likely to find when you remove it.

This isn’t my picture, but mine looked just like it.



:):)

I have seen that picture as well which is of course concerning for all involved. Did you replace with the one that goes right into that spot or take another route? I certainly like the potential of an easy swap with no fab required. Is it worth the extra money? Don't know.

Camreal wrote:
Turn the circuit breaker off that powers the converter and attach a small battery charger at the battery terminals. I had to replace the converter about 5 yrs ago. My old one over charged and cracked the battery. The newer converters are multi stage and work well. Also added an inexpensive voltage digital monitor that stays on all the time in my 12 volt line. Keep the converter set on 13.2 and have 5 yrs with no problems. I have second battery installed also.

I would like a second battery. We have two group 27's in the boat which is nice with the extra capacity. I'm also interested in the other thread on here about the LipePo4 battery potential. I would have to find more room for another battery though. What did you go to for your converter/charger?

The monitors on amazon are interesting and have caught my eye. I like the idea of being able to monitor in and out to know the status of the charging.

[NRALIFR]

Another good reason to get rid of the Magnatek is what you’re likely to find when you remove it.

This isn’t my picture, but mine looked just like it.



:):)

[Camreal]

Turn the circuit breaker off that powers the converter and attach a small battery charger at the battery terminals. I had to replace the converter about 5 yrs ago. My old one over charged and cracked the battery. The newer converters are multi stage and work well. Also added an inexpensive voltage digital monitor that stays on all the time in my 12 volt line. Keep the converter set on 13.2 and have 5 yrs with no problems. I have second battery installed also.

[silverbullet555]

jaycocreek wrote:
All you have to do is check your batteries more often and add water when necessary if you think the Magnate is your issue..Some of the older chargers don't have a shut off so a guy just has to maintain the batteries more often and you won't fry your battery..My TC is older than yours and it isn't frying my batteries but I do check them regularly and I am plugged in 24/7....

Owning an older TC or pickup and reading these forums where the majority of truck campers and trucks are much newer,you have to take things with a grain of salt sometimes or you will put more money into either than there worth...I always go by..if it ain't broke don't fix it...

My vote is to just check your battery more often and you will be fine unless there is something else wrong with your charger...I have owned a bunch of old truck campers and trailers and never have had to replace the inverter charger in any of them and some were real hummers...lol

Fair points. I bought a regular deep cycle battery so I could add water if need be.

[jaycocreek]

All you have to do is check your batteries more often and add water when necessary if you think the Magnate is your issue..Some of the older chargers don't have a shut off so a guy just has to maintain the batteries more often and you won't fry your battery..My TC is older than yours and it isn't frying my batteries but I do check them regularly and I am plugged in 24/7....

Owning an older TC or pickup and reading these forums where the majority of truck campers and trucks are much newer,you have to take things with a grain of salt sometimes or you will put more money into either than there worth...I always go by..if it ain't broke don't fix it...

My vote is to just check your battery more often and you will be fine unless there is something else wrong with your charger...I have owned a bunch of old truck campers and trailers and never have had to replace the inverter charger in any of them and some were real hummers...lol

[silverbullet555]

jimh425 wrote:
If you are worried about the charger, just buy a small charger for trips or break down and add a solar panel kit. If you think the charger/converter is possibly an issue, don’t risk it or you’ll be buying a battery depending on the warranty. Alternatively, plug in and test it out. If it kills your battery, go get a replacement.. If it doesn’t, you are good to go.

Fwiw, I don’t think a bad charger will cause bad cells. More than likely, it would boil the liquid out and kill all of the battery. More than likely the bad cells are from vibration and separating the connection in the battery. Not a battery expert because mine don’t fail much, but I’ve never needed to replace a charger because of a battery with a bad cell on any vehicle/RV I’ve had.

Perhaps. I don't know either. I already have a smaller charger that I could plug into instead and of course a solar setup may make sense once we are sure this is the camper we are staying with.

I was more concerned about the constant amperage the charger portion sends to the battery and perhaps it is not sensing when it is full. That would result in overcharging and boiling the water away.

[time2roll]

silverbullet555 wrote:
That being said, I believe the magnatek will cook the battery again. I know I can buy a replacement panel for $200ish and I certainly will entertain that. I'm open to other ideas too.

Do it right for $79

https://powermaxconverters.com/product/pm3-12v-series/

The 35 amp is fine

[NRALIFR]

I had one of those little battery boilers too, once upon a time.

I’d replace the lower section with a PD4645V or PD4645VL from bestconverter.com. The L model supports lithium batteries.

I keep mine plugged in all the time.

:):)

[jimh406]

If you are worried about the charger, just buy a small charger for trips or break down and add a solar panel kit. If you think the charger/converter is possibly an issue, don’t risk it or you’ll be buying a battery depending on the warranty. Alternatively, plug in and test it out. If it kills your battery, go get a replacement.. If it doesn’t, you are good to go.

Fwiw, I don’t think a bad charger will cause bad cells. More than likely, it would boil the liquid out and kill all of the battery. More than likely the bad cells are from vibration and separating the connection in the battery. Not a battery expert because mine don’t fail much, but I’ve never needed to replace a charger because of a battery with a bad cell on any vehicle/RV I’ve had.