Battery over charging

[Rwake901]

Without changing the converter do they make something I can install in-line to keep from over charging my batteries. If I leave my 5th wheel plugged in all the time it will eventually boil my batteries unless I turn off the battery switch. I was hoping that maybe they make something that I can just install in-line to keep this from happening, but still keep the batteries charged. Thanks

[BarabooBob]

I got rid of my WFCO because it would not go into bulk charging mode no matter how low the battery got. I installed a Progressive Dynamics unit and am very happy. My TT stays plugged in unless we are on the road. The battery is still in good shape at 2 1/2 years. Time will tell.
My old class C had the same problem and I put in a Progressive Dynamics converter but left the power distribution center in tact. That was an easy job of removing 2 wires from the old unit and hooking them up to the new. The breakers all stayed in place.

[2112]

I was having the same problem with my WFCO. I made one with a MOSFET and a timer. It charges 1 hour every 5 days.

[rrupert]

Not all chargers are created equal whether it is new or old. What brand if power center/converter do you have, that may tell us something. If it's a WFCO it probebly isn't doing the best job of charging the batteries. Changing out the converter really isn't a hard job. Many people have switched to Boondocker converters or Progressive Dynamics.

[pianotuna]

Plug the RV into a timer. Set it for one hour per day. Plug the timer into shore power.

[cummins2014]

Rwake901 wrote:
Without changing the converter do they make something I can install in-line to keep from over charging my batteries. If I leave my 5th wheel plugged in all the time it will eventually boil my batteries unless I turn off the battery switch. I was hoping that maybe they make something that I can just install in-line to keep this from happening, but still keep the batteries charged. Thanks

I was under the impression these newer converters maintained the batteries . I sold my previous fifth wheel this past spring ,had two group 27 batteries in it that I purchased in late 2009 ,still going strong , that fifth wheel was plugged in 24/7 for 10 years, and never had an issue with boiling the batteries dry.

[Rwake901]

Ed9824v wrote:

wopachop wrote:
The converter on my friends 2002 trailer has a spot for an add on device. I remember the connector looking like an old phone line connection.

The device changed the charging pattern to work better when leaving the trailer plugged in 24/7.

sounds like the wizard I have for my progressive dynamic charger for may trailer https://www.progressivedyn.com/rv/charge-wizard/
made exclusively for the progressive dynamics charager

I’ll have to see what brand of converter I have to see if this might work. Thanks

[Ed9824v]

wopachop wrote:
The converter on my friends 2002 trailer has a spot for an add on device. I remember the connector looking like an old phone line connection.

The device changed the charging pattern to work better when leaving the trailer plugged in 24/7.

sounds like the wizard I have for my progressive dynamic charger for may trailer https://www.progressivedyn.com/rv/charge-wizard/
made exclusively for the progressive dynamics charager

[wopachop]

The converter on my friends 2002 trailer has a spot for an add on device. I remember the connector looking like an old phone line connection.

The device changed the charging pattern to work better when leaving the trailer plugged in 24/7.

[time2roll]

Please measure the voltage on the battery terminals. s/b 13.2 to 13.65 volts. Post the results.
The solution is to replace the defective charging device.

If your battery is going bad with a shorted cell it will have the symptoms of overcharging.
Only use distilled water for topping up the cells. Fill to 1/4" to 1/8" below the split tube that extends down into the cell. Just touching the bottom of the tube is absolute max. Overfilling can also push electrolyte out the caps.

Post the model number of your converter or inverter/charger for best options.

[CA_Traveler]

A good 3 stage charger will not over charge batteries. Also load test the batteries to be sure they are not part of the problem.

[Super_Dave]

I'm going to say, yes, my buddy told me that he just installed something for this on his boat but I don't know the technical name for the device.

[theoldwizard1]

I do not believe anyone sells an "add on" device. The simple solution is to plug your 5er into a cheap, mechanical, lamp timers and set it to run only 4 hours per day.