Elixer Converter Overcharging?

[Nutshell]

Hello All:

Our 5-6 year old camper has an Elixer converter in it. In the past we have left it plugged in for long periods of time with no problem. Last winter it was plugged in all winter on a timer that just ran 15 minutes a day with no problems. This spring I unplugged it and let it sit, at some point I plugged it in again without the timer and forgot about it for a few weeks. One day I went into our back shed and smelled something foul, I called my wife over saying that "something must have died in here", it was actually Sulphur vapor coming from the battery box vent. The one year old battery was too hot to touch, obviously cooked. We bought a new battery and put it in. I did the following test:

I checked the battery ( standard deep cycle) which was charged from the dealer, and it read about 12.5 volts.

I plugged in the converter and it showed that it was trying to put 14.5 volts into the battery.

I left it plugged in half a day and checked again, with the converter plugged in it read 15.6 volts, when I unplugged the converter it read about 13.6 volts.

Should the converter not have slowed down the charge as the new battery got charged up? Is this not the correct test? Two RV dealers have told me this is normal, it does not seem right to me, but I am no tech either.

How should I test a convert6er, I don't feel like burning out a battery every year.

Thanks

John

[twinboat]

15.6 is to high a voltage. Time for a new converter.

[CharlesinGA]

In researching Elxir converters I can only turn up this one page flyer http://elixirind.com/image/data/medi...Converters.pdf which leads me to believe that this is a simple single stage converter. The remainder of the Elixir website yields nothing.

If this is a freestanding deck mount unit, you would be best to replace it with a multistage converter such as the Progressive Dynamics 9100 series. If you have an Elixer power center Best Converter recommends different replacement units depending on what model Elixer power center you have. https://www.bestconverter.com/Elixir...rter_c_76.html

Apparently Elixer no longer manufactures converters (if they are in business at all)

In any case you want a good multi-stage converter that will bulk charge a low battery at a higher voltage (about 14.6) and then drop down to about 13.6 to top off and then drop to 13.2 for maintenance and storage of the battery. This will not heat or cook or boil off the battery.

I prefer the Progressive Dynamics units if at all possible since they are designed and manufactured in the USA.

Charles

[Nutshell]

Thank you for the reply. I have pretty much been sold on replacing the old unit with a multi-stage converter.

As an aside, I love the "Made in USA"! I am Canadian and I am always looking at where my products come from. I prefer not to support industry in countries with weak labor and environmental laws. I have nothing against workers in developing countries, but if their industry saves money by not operating on the same playing field that more developed economies play on, by doing such things as not having fire escapes in their buildings or dumping their untreated toxic waste into the river, I do have a huge problem with that. I also have nothing against the Chinese people, but every purchase of Chinese products ultimately supports the Chinese Communist Party or the People's Liberation Army.

Sorry for the off topic rant. Feel free to boot me for veering into politics.