Bad converter?

[GScott]

My Whitehawk came with new 6 volt batterries summer of 2016. Sting of 18 they died despite being careful to not let them go below 50%. Replace with 2 new Interstate batteries April. Now 1 or 2 cells in each show 11.5 when the others indicate full charge at 12.75

I am wondering if the converter/charger is working properly. It often pulse when on shore power. It will spin up for a second or two and then shut off and repeats a few times. I measure the volts at 13.4 when on shore power.

I can get new batteries under warranty but am concerned that the converter is the real culprit

[oldmanAZ]

I'm not a 12v guru, but I don't see how a bad converter would make individual cells of a battery fail.


I'm sure we'll hear from others with better 12v knowledge.

[RoyBraddy]

When I had my NON-SMART MODE Single DC VOLTAGE Converter going which only produced 13.6VDC it would start boiling out battery fluids over time.. I lost one of my 12V batteries doing this before I caught it. One of the cells in the battery died on me...

I replaced my older 2008 ELIXIR Power Converter with a Progressive Dynamics PD-9260C 60 AMP SMART MODE Power Converter that produces three charging voltages and one of four operating modes depending on the condition and use of the battery back in 2009.

Might want to check your fluid levels as well as your battery terminal DC Voltages on a routine basis...

Going to a SMART MODE converter/charger really solved this problem for me... I still check fluids on a regular basis out of habit but have not had to add any water in a long time now...

It was obvious when I was boiling out the fluids as the battery case was warm to touch and it was always wet around the fill ports...

Roy Ken

[GScott]

My converter is a 3 mode charger and I have watched fluid levels closely. It does charge at 13.4 v but still suspicious that it is the culprit to early battery failure.

[Vicr]

How are you measuring the voltage of the "cells"? Hydrometer?

[GScott]

I do use a bulb hydrometer to measure the cells. I now have two new 6 volt batterries. My converter is 3 mode but does not have an equalize function. I am considering installing a progressive dynamics charge wizzard that will perform a 15 min equalization once a day. Anyone have experience with it?

[ALJO]

I have the "Charge Wizard" and it works perfectly. I always leave the TT plugged to shore power year round. Haven't had problems in the last couple of years.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by GScott

snip...... I can get new batteries under warranty but am concerned that the converter is the real culprit

What brand converter/charger do you have in your Whitehawk?

If it's a WFCO product there are numerous JOF threads on folks having issues with poor performance resulting in batteries being compromised.

The following threads may provide some insight should you decide to upgrade your convert/charger.....

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ade-61755.html

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...e-60417-2.html

Bob

[GScott]

Thanks. My converter is a WFCO 8735P and was showing 13.4 volts when on shore power. Now it varies between 12.8 and 13.1. I suspect it is dying. Does anyone have any experience upgrading the charger only instead of the entire unit?