Chris Bryant wrote:
>
> At 02:38 PM 6/14/00 -0700, Bob Kiger wrote:
> >When I got my 1966 Safari the battery was unusable. I believe that
> >full timers using line power might be overcharging their battery BUT I don't
> >know enough about Univolt.
> >
> >Can I put a switch on one of the battery leads to stop charging? Is that
> >the problem or is Univolt designed to trickle and shutoff?
>
> I'll probably be in the minority here, but my feeling is that a Univolt
> cannot "overcharge" a good battery.
> The battery will, however, use water. Different Univolts have different
> voltage ratings, but 13.6 volts is a good average. This *is* above the
> "gassing" point of the battery, so you do need to check the water monthly.
>
> Anyway- if you do want to disable the Univolt, the 120vac side is the side
> to do it- just put a switch in that side, not the 12 volt side.
>
> I do agree that there are better chargers out there, but I still think the
> Univolt is the most bullet proof converter there is.
> ________
>
> Chris Bryant
> Bryant RV Services
> DeLand, Florida
> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Bullet proof, yes, precise, not quite... If a battery is charged up to
gassing every time and floated there, the voltage is above 13.6, more
like 14.6. A good 12 lead acid battery only needs to be floated at
14.200 volts for long life. Any more and it looses water by
electrolysis. Any less and it looses capacity by not being fully
charged. The SAE standards give a greater tolerance, but they cause
unwanted battery destruction.
Gerald J.
