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Subject Topic: On Board battery charger overcharging?
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PersonCrypto
11/8/2011 at 7:21pm
 Location: Sussex
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I have 240Vac connected to the caravan at home on a timer 3 hours on a day. The battery voltage is now about 14.2 Vdc. Seems a bit high to me
I suspect that the onboard battery charger is faulty. 14.2 volts seems to me to be too high, gassing off etc.

My question is can I replace the onboard 12Vdc system with a permanently wired in "intelligent" charger? Will that not only charge the battery properly but provide a 12Vdc supply when on EHU to the lights, pump etc?


PersonAl+Mel
11/8/2011 at 7:27pm
 Location: Hants
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My smart charger ends its cycle at 14.4 V. but at a very low current. This is to saturate the plates, so they hold the charge for longer and to prevent sulphation.


PersonCrypto
11/8/2011 at 8:08pm
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Thing is that the onboard charger used to hold the voltage much lower, maybe 13 volts maximum. Seems like something's going wrong here.


Personmatty2303
11/8/2011 at 8:49pm
 Location: tamworth staffs
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14.2v from a 12v charger completely normal


PersonLlaniDavis
11/8/2011 at 9:10pm
 Location: Llanidloes Powys
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Sounds perfectly normal.


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Personjennifernn
11/8/2011 at 9:56pm
 Location: NW of Glasgow
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Yep, our battery meter reads 14.2v when the battery is fully charged.

-------------
Jennifer


PersonCrypto
11/8/2011 at 9:58pm
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OK, thanks.

This is a new battery, the old one never showed voltages that high, hence my concern.


Personarc systems
11/8/2011 at 11:59pm
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NO, not on a 1996 van, all then were set at 13.8 volts, unless this ones been updated there is something wrong!

Good news is no harm as been done...yet


PersonCrypto
12/8/2011 at 8:12am
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Quote: Originally posted by arc systems on 11/8/2011
NO, not on a 1996 van, all then were set at 13.8 volts, unless this ones been updated there is something wrong!

Good news is no harm as been done...yet
Thanks Garry, I was sure that something was wrong as it's never happened before in the 5 years that I've had this van.
Battery is now disconnected to save cooking it.

So, can I replace the old charger with a new intelligent charger and will it also power the 12Vdc systems when on EHU?


PersonJTQU
12/8/2011 at 8:26am
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An "intelligent" charger will reach voltage levels above those some of the "12 VOLT" equipments ought to be exposed to; whether this then damages them is a risk, possibly an expensive risk.


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Personold chap
12/8/2011 at 8:36am
 Location: Sitingbourne
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The battery voltage should be checked after its removed from the charger for 6-12 hrs.this allows the "float voltage"to dissipate & you get a correct reading.12.8v dc full charge.
Just to double check your charger check across the vans battery connections (battery removed)with a meter,as Gary has said you should not get more than 13.8v dc



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