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11-13-2017, 10:10 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Hobe Sound
Posts: 16
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Does our converter have a regulator?
We have a 2011 Raptor and recently had a very scary experience with the house battery. We have been stationary and continuously hooked up to shore power for about 1 month. We neglected to check the batteries while here. One morning we suddenly smelled a horrible odor throughout the interior of the RV. About 2 minutes later our carbon monoxide alarm went off. When we checked the house battery it was smoking. We disconnected it quickly and removed it from the RV.
Thankfully we didn't have an explosion!!!
We have installed a new battery but have switched off the control so it is not being used yet. We're concerned that our convertor may have overcharged the previous battery. Does our convertor have a regulator to prevent overcharging?
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11-13-2017, 11:48 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Check the manual or online for your particular converter, there should be a setting for a float charge & one for constant charging, you want the floating or trickle. If you have wet cell batteries you'll need to check/fill them with distilled water minimum a couple times a year, if constantly plugged to shore power maybe 3-4 times a year
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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11-13-2017, 02:24 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,692
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I think you said in a previous post that you purchased the trailer from a dealer in 2016. How many times have you checked the battery and filled it? If none it probably go fried due to not maintaining the water levels in it. Once dried and "cooking" they DO smell terrible. It wouldn't hurt to check the converter but I'm thinking it's the battery.
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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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11-16-2017, 06:47 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 3,013
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According to what I could find on l8ne yes your converter, if it’s the original is a three stage unit that will adjust its output according to demand and battery condition...
http://www.trekwood.com/products/192...ck-Mount-Cheng
This link is a quick info sheet that shows converter output in all three of its stages when it works correctly...
http://wfcoelectronics.com/wp-conten...th-space-1.pdf
Battery maintenance is your friend and use only distilled water to service the cells with
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11-17-2017, 04:17 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Hobe Sound
Posts: 16
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I appreciate the info! Thanks Chuck
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11-17-2017, 04:18 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Hobe Sound
Posts: 16
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Yes, we have neglected to check the battery and I agree with you
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11-17-2017, 04:20 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Hobe Sound
Posts: 16
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Thanks all. Very helpful
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11-17-2017, 05:18 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bainbridge NY
Posts: 214
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How come no one uses maintenance free batteries ?
__________________
2017 Keystone 1750rd
2006 Hummer H3
1968 Oldsmobile 442
1983 Honda CX650C
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11-17-2017, 05:43 PM
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#9
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Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Western PA
Posts: 2,732
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My Raptor came new with two dealer installed 12V maintenance free batteries, going into the sixth year with no issues. Three stage converter. Batteries stay in rig during winter storage. I run generator loaded once a month around an hour or so throughout the winter which also tops off the batteries.
__________________
2013 RAPTOR 300MP w/Rear Patio Deck NO Folding Side Ladder
2013 Silverado 3500HD LTZ CC LB 4X4 DRW
Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel; Allison Trans
Reese 20K; Carlisle Radial Trail RH/HD; TPMS (12 Tires)
Veteran
PSU (GO LIONS)
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11-17-2017, 05:53 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,996
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fourfourto
How come no one uses maintenance free batteries ?
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Some do, most who buy them once, go back to conventional deep cycle batteries. Here's a "cut and paste" from one website:
"The advantages of maintenance free batteries are less preventive maintenance, up to 250% less water loss, faster recharging, greater overcharge resistance, reduced terminal corrosion, up to 40% more life cycles, and up to 200% less self discharge. However, they are more prone to deep discharge (dead battery) failures due to increased shedding of active plate material and development of a barrier layer between the active plate material and the grid metal. Further, if sealed, they tend to have a shorter life in hot climates because lost water cannot be replaced."
There's lots more on that site: http://marine-electronics.net/techar..._faq/b_faq.htm
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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11-17-2017, 06:09 PM
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#11
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Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Western PA
Posts: 2,732
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I have never dry camped nor do I plan on it, so have no feel if that would change my mind. My replacement battery will be a maintenance free type. Just the thought of getting my battery covers off and on each time to check the water level would be enough to send me over the hill These covers where designed to go on once and stay there for the next guy
__________________
2013 RAPTOR 300MP w/Rear Patio Deck NO Folding Side Ladder
2013 Silverado 3500HD LTZ CC LB 4X4 DRW
Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel; Allison Trans
Reese 20K; Carlisle Radial Trail RH/HD; TPMS (12 Tires)
Veteran
PSU (GO LIONS)
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11-18-2017, 07:06 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 3,013
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Ah I’ll take two Costco golf cart batteries any day over the rest.. less expensive , in two years of use I’ve added a trickle of distilled water to the cells.. but, most any of t(e batteries are fne.. just depends on your pocket book and needs
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11-18-2017, 07:57 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central San Joaguin Valley, CA
Posts: 2,117
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckS
Ah I’ll take two Costco golf cart batteries any day over the rest.. less expensive , in two years of use I’ve added a trickle of distilled water to the cells.. but, most any of t(e batteries are fne.. just depends on your pocket book and needs
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X2. Just traded our 2012 Cougar. Installed 2 Costco golf cart batteries in January of 2012 - we're still working fine almost 6 years later. Will make the same conversion on the new trailer. Actually less now at $84 each.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
__________________
Jack & Marty
2018 Laredo 298 SRL
2011 F-250 SB Crew Cab 4x4 6.7L
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