Power Converter/Battery Question:

[coachmen]

2013 Coachmen Encounter 34TA Class A. 55amp power converter/battery charger, 2 NC24 wetcell batteries: When connected to shore power (50amp or 15 amp with adaptor), does converter CONSTANTLY charge coach batteries or does it have a REGULATOR-type function so it will fully charge then shut off until batteries indicate a drop/discharge & need for recharge? ALSO: when attached to shore power & converter running, battery indicator shows full charge (have no multimeter). I disconnected shore power with disconnect switch ON for minimal draw & after 2 days, batteries were discharged to where power steps barely came in/out. Checked water levels (low, but no plates showing), added small amount of distilled water to all cells, plugged back in for 24 hrs. Indicator showed full charge. Disconnected, turned on ALL house lights for 15 minutes.....discharged.....lights just glowing. Batteries were slightlly "gurgling" & were very warm. Sounds like new batteries; but concerned that maybe if converter is constantly charging, can it be "cooking" them?

[ependydad]

The charger should be smart enough not to cook the batteries. But if they're the original batteries- it's possible that they're just spent.

The reason the battery shows full when the converter is running is that it's measuring voltage and is detecting what the charger is putting out.

Personally, I'd pull them and take them to get load tested at a place like AutoZone. Or get a separate trickle charger and would intentionally charge them with it for a couple of days. Let them rest 24-48h and then check them with a multimeter.

[coachmen]

Thanks! Yep....they were originals &, yep, they were SHOT! New installed & working well.

[HONDAMAN174]

Just a thought: if you have a WFCO converter, you may think about changing it out for a different brand. A few of us here have had issues with ours (mostly due to SLOW charging but a couple to baking batteries) and have changed out ours.

Got a call from a friend last night that he thought something broke in the his trailer cause he had no power even with truck attached. I took a look and his battery was dead. Plugged in my generator and their converter was only outputting 20 amps @ 13.2 volts. That's not good- should be 30+amps @ 14.4. But he's going to sell it to local dealer and get a new class b so told him not to put the money in.

Very happy with my progressive dynamics unit as half of the year is dry camping so shorter charge times is great.

Just a long thought.

[coachmen]

Thanks! Pulled batteries & found they're original equipment. They would not hold a charge above 10.73. Replaced them & whole system is working well.