Community Forums

Dennis D · 04-14-2013, 07:06 AM

We have 8 new 6 volts batteries for our Coach
It is a 2006 Travel Supreme ME
We are always refilling them with distilled water.
Does it have anything to do with our inverters.

palehorse89 · 04-14-2013, 07:17 AM

Hello, the first thing you are going to have to do is check the battery voltage at the batterys and then check the converter voltage output and see what the voltage is going to the batterys and check the settings on you converter to see if it is set right (if adjustable) What kind of charging system do you have for your batterys? I would say your problem is not with your inverter but more so with your converter side of things. Is your converter/inverter all in the same unit?

deandec · 04-14-2013, 10:51 AM

Check the voltage at the batteries with your multimeter when your inverter first begins to charge the house batteries.

I believe it should not be more than 14.4 or 14.6 dcv. If higher, then the charge is too great (except for an intentional equalizing charge process).

My inverter manual provides good guidance for checking the charging rates at each level. Perhaps yours does also.

Is it possible that you are overfilling the cells? I would think in a dry and hot climate you might have to add water every two months. I fill to the bottom of the fill tube in each cell. Excess water will likely get purged during the charging cycle.

dennis45 · 04-14-2013, 11:00 AM

Check battery voltage with a voltmeter. Anything over 14.2 volts is excessive and will cause the water in the batteries to Boil Off.
Ideal voltage is in the range of 13.5 to 13.8 volts. My voltage stays around 13.6 and I add water maybe every six months depending on climate and useage.

Shadowcatche · 04-14-2013, 11:12 AM

What is implied is that in all likelihood your converter is at fault. If you can give us the make and model number we may be able to be more specific.

LDP243 · 04-14-2013, 05:27 PM

I agree with the above, your problem is probably in your inverter/charger, overcharging the batteries. however if you are overfilling the batteries then your inverter may be ok. go to an auto-parts store and invest in a battery fill jug, if used properly you will never overfill your batteries, cost around 8 to 10 bucks

fxdave · 04-14-2013, 07:16 PM

i added mineral oil wala! no more boilovers search you'll find plenty to read about it i added 4 0z per cell they need water very seldom now as matter of fact just once since last may it works

Gary RVRoamer · 04-14-2013, 07:17 PM

Your inverter/charger probably has a sensor for temperature compensation. It may be broken or not positioned properly, thus tricking the charger into doing bad things. Or you charger parameters have not been set correctly.

Dunner · 04-14-2013, 08:11 PM

Mineral oil from the drug store.

4 oz per cell for 6 volt batteries. 2 oz per cell for 12 volt batteries. It works.

Bama Fan · 04-14-2013, 08:28 PM

Good tip. I'm going to have to try that. Thanks.

Mr_D · 04-14-2013, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunner

Mineral oil from the drug store.

4 oz per cell for 6 volt batteries. 2 oz per cell for 12 volt batteries. It works.

Yep, did it to our OEM batteries, they lasted 10 years.

HOWEVER if the charging voltage is too high the mineral oil won't help much!

Quote:

We are always refilling them with distilled water.

What does that mean? Daily, weekly, monthly? How much distilled water do you have to add?

Dunner · 04-14-2013, 08:45 PM

Batteries are deceiving. They can look a little low, but take a lot of water.

Mr_D · 04-14-2013, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDP243

I agree with the above, your problem is probably in your inverter/charger, overcharging the batteries. however if you are overfilling the batteries then your inverter may be ok. go to an auto-parts store and invest in a battery fill jug, if used properly you will never overfill your batteries, cost around 8 to 10 bucks

That might work if you have enough clearance overhead, lots of rigs don't.

Tony Lee · 04-14-2013, 11:15 PM

Need to clarify a few things with some of the numbers floating around.
Charging voltage may be quite different depending whether you have a three-stage charger or a taper charger or a fixed voltage converter. The last type may put out a constant 13.7V so if it is putting out 14V all the time, it will be overcharging the batteries and this will cause excessive water losses. The 3-stage charger will put out up to 14.4 or even higher for the first part of the charging cycle and then drop back to 13.7V. This is normal.

As for adding the oil - hadn't you better check what is causing the problem first before trying to cure something that maybe needs actually fixing rather than covering up the problem.