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Converter charging house batteries
Our converter is charging house batteries at a constant 14.5 volts.  This seems a bit high to me.  Does anyone have any experience with adjusting the converter?  I have a call into Vince to get his opinion.  Todd did not think this was a problem.
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #1 –
Quote from: Ross and Beverly Taylor  - 
Our converter is charging house batteries at a constant 14.5 volts.  This seems a bit high to me.  Does anyone have any experience with adjusting the converter?  I have a call into Vince to get his opinion.  Todd did not think this was a problem.

While LD builds a great coach, they are not savvy electrically.
Vince should know better, LD has changes out many AGM batteries, under warranty, because the Factory converters charged at too high a rate, once the battery was fully charged.

Constant charging at 14.5 volts will dry out the electrolyte and destroy the battery.
14.5 volts is fine while charging but the charge level should be in the mid-13 volt range, once fully charged.
You may nave a bad converter. Is it the stock converter and what year LD?

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #2 –
Don't know which converter you have, but you should have an owners manual for it with your packet from LD. See if it is multi-stage, and how are you monitoring the voltage? Are you always connected to shorepower?

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #3 –
Until you figure out how to get the the float voltage down in the mid-13 volt range, you might want to manually turn off the converter by turning off the breaker to the converter once your batteries are fully charged.  You can manually turn it back on when your batteries need to be charged.  That will help protect your batteries until you figure out what is going on with the converter.
2002 M-23 Twin King & 2016 Subaru Forester tow car
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #4 –
Our Coach is a 2017.  We originally had a converter where the fan ran continuously and we had factory change out this one with the one that they are now installing in the 2018s.  Still waiting for Vince to talk with Steve and get back to me. 
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #5 –
Maybe your converter is set for Wet Cell Battery and it needs re programed for AGM's?

Wet cells float at 13.6 VDC and balance the cells at 14.5 to 15 VDC for 4 hours per month., but AGMS they typically do NOT balance at 14.5 because of boiling off water from the electrolite and no ability to replentish the water.   My 1971 to 1991  Fords charged at 14.0 to14.5 VDC but they were wet cell batteries.
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #6 –
"We originally had a converter where the fan ran continuously and we had factory change out this one with the one that they are now installing in the 2018s"
----
Aha! I don't know what specifically may have motivated the change; in my experience, LD doesn't necessarily switch "parts" until they run though their on-hand stock. The change may have been due to a supplier issue (I believe that the converter manufacturer was aware of the fan noise?), or too many complaints from owners about the constantly running fan, or something else entirely, but installing a quiet converter (provided it's also an all-around load capable/multi-stage/higher quality converter) seems a very positive upgrade!

2003 TK has a new home
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #7 –
The reason LD changed our converter is we paid to have it done.  No free lunches in life.
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #8 –
"The reason LD changed our converter is we paid to have it done."
----
I figured that; just commenting on the factory's (hopefully positive) switch to a quieter/better converter for 2018 models.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #9 –
Per Vince at LD, there is no way to adjust converter.  I am still waiting on a call back from him once he talks to Steve.  I did email Lifeline Batteries with this question and have not heard a response.

If you turn off the converter at the breaker box, can you still use air conditioner when hooked up to 120?
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #10 –
There are two documents that might help you understand some of the issues with your converter and house batteries. 

One is about the Lifeline batteries themselves....
http://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?action=media;sa=item;in=3798#viewitem

The other is the document that came with the Blue Sky 3000i controller.

You can adjust the controller.   I spoke to Steve about what and how they install the controller.   He told me they use the default  settings that come from the Blue Sky folk.  I called the Blue Sky folk.   They walked me thru setting up custom setting from the Lifeline AGM batteries.    To the mothership praise they use the all the options (temp monitoring, etc)  of the Blue Sky controller they just don't document it in the Owner's Manual.    
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #11 –
Quote from: colddog  - 
The other is the document that came with the Blue Sky 3000i controller.

You can adjust the controller.   I spoke to Steve about what and how they install the controller.

Though the controller is not the converter, this does point out an issue with diagnosis. While testing the voltage on the batteries, was it during the day, with solar on? If so, note that the highest voltage output from a charge source will determine the voltage on the batteries. In your case, this may be the charge controller. Test the voltage a couple hours after dark to see if it has dropped. If so, the charge controller may need to be properly set up. It SHOULD start up in the morning in bulk charge mode, then quickly switch to maintenance mode when it sees the batteries will not accept more charge.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #12 –
This only happens when I am hookup to shore power.  At that point the batteries are consistently receiving 14.5 volts via the converter.  The controller sensing the high voltage is sending 0 to the batteries during daylight.  At nighttime the voltage stays at 14.5 when hookup to shore power. 
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #13 –
If the converter is incapable of being adjusted to a lower float voltage, it's time for new converter.
Running at 14.5-volts all the time will dry the batteries up. At night, when the batteries are charged, the converter's float voltage should be in the low to mid-13 volt range.
At anywhere from $300-600 for a set of two new batteries, its worth find the over-voltage cause and repairing it, you will have to do it at some point. Might as well do it while the batteries still seem to be good.
As suggested, I would shut she the converter off at night, when the batteries are fully charged, or when the RV is not being actively used, until you resolve this problem.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #14 –
Just curious: Which converter (brand, type, capacity) is LD installing in 2018-2019 models? And, which charge controller if the buyer opts for solar? Still the Blue Sky 3000i? Another?
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #15 –
Hello JCT, I took a picture of our converter panel, hope it helps answer your question...it’s says Solar Boost 3000i, we have 2 solar factory solar panels. took delivery 7/16/18. which I think is a midyear date,  I was told If I wanted a 2019, I would have to wait till 2/2019.
Nov 2023, 2012 31’ IB, white/green swoops & swirles, 2009 Mini Cooper, racing green convertible, toad 🐸

We ordered white/gray  2018 27' mid bath 1/3/18 and we are hoping for a July 16th 2019 delivery, sold, and tried a Lithium Travato, wish  I would have kept the Lazy Daze 27’
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #16 –
OK, a 3000i, but the panel underneath is a readout of the "capacities"/levels, e.g., tanks, and switches for the pump, etc. Is the power center/converter labeled with brand and capacity? Thanks for looking.  ;)
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #17 –
Hi Ross, to answer your question, Turning off your converter won't affect any 110 VAC systems like your air conditioning. Your refrigerator will continue to work on 110V, along with outlets. All of your 12v dc. will start coming out of your batteries and not the converter. Lights, water pump, propane space heater (the fan and control board), radio etc. will drain the deep cycle batteries. The Solar panels may be able to keep up, but if not, just turn on the breaker for the converter as needed.  RonB
  I've never heard of a voltage adjustment in a converter. Older ones are notoriously inaccurate, but the new one should be better than that. Some may have an input tap selection on the main transformer to accommodate chronic low voltages. If that is a jumper or switch, it may be set incorrectly. If you have the converter's type I could look that up on-line.      RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #18 –
Hi Clark. Yes that picture is of your 3000i Solar controller. The converter is usually mounted near the floor with a black or brown metal cover, and your AC breakers and 12 DC fuses are located inside. That would be labeled with it's model number. Thanks RonB

  P.S., That sure looks nice, wish I had that controller, and status panel too!
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #19 –
Thanks, I hope it will be trouble free for along time, so I can go camping

Here is a pictuee of the fuses/converter/charger, I hope

It’s says 55 Amps, Series 8300, Model 8355, I seem to remember past discussions about how loud the previous converter fan was, so far, I don’t hear this one at all, but I’ve been working/sleeping in the rear
Nov 2023, 2012 31’ IB, white/green swoops & swirles, 2009 Mini Cooper, racing green convertible, toad 🐸

We ordered white/gray  2018 27' mid bath 1/3/18 and we are hoping for a July 16th 2019 delivery, sold, and tried a Lithium Travato, wish  I would have kept the Lazy Daze 27’
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #20 –
Hi Clark. I usually can't hear the fans, and it doesn't bother me if I do, but it shouldn't  run all the time, and LD switched to a converter that didn't have a fan, so you won't hear yours. My old 1999 converter does run, but infrequently. It also can't charge my batteries very fast either; that is the trade off. RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #22 –
I have the 55 Amps, Series 8300, Model 8355 converter.
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #23 –
FYI: an advisory on Best Converter's website re: "knock off" PDI power centers being sold on eBay and Amazon:

Progressive Dynamics Inteli-Power Converters

I had this "upgrade kit" installed 2-3 years ago; it replaced the original Parallax 7300 converter. No problems with it, and it plays nice with a Blue Sky 3000i and AGMs! 

PD4645V 45 Amp Converter Upgrade, Optional Remote Pendant

In my experience, Best Converter offers good customer support and tech assistance.

YMMV, as always.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Converter charging house batteries
Reply #24 –
Parallax doesn't release schematics online. Proprietary. Depending on the scale of integration, I'm sure a modification could be introduced to lower the maximum voltage level. They think that up to 14.1 volts is ok. So 14.5 volts should be a warranty situation. Make sure that that voltage is accurate, and measured at the batteries directly.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB