I have a 40' Carriage, it has an intellipower 9000 IIRC, and just recently put on the charge wizard to keep from cooking my battery. The battery I have in there is an old Napa deep cycle. I thought when I put the charge wizard on there that I topped off the battery. I checked it today, the battery was warm and almost dry.

Do any of you have a similar problem? What are you running for batteries in there?

Do I just need to go buy an optima and be done with it? The only problem I see with that is if I cook it, I can't top it off. I mostly only use the battery to keep the Gas valve on when the generator is off, when I am at the races. So is doesn't draw much amperage for very long time.

I thought the charge wizard would solve my problems but it doesn't seem to be, that I can tell anyway.

Any suggestions, and help would be greatly appreciated. I am pulling the trailer out to the track tomorrow, and the least I could do is get a new battery for when I use it, and then put the cooked one on when I am not.....

:help2:

I would just buy a good quality deep cycle battery.

Well I plan to pick up a Napa Orbital(optima equivalent) tomorrow on the way to the track. But I was wondering if anyone knows what is going on, so I can fix it in the long run.

Thanks Max....;)

I know nothing about the charge wizard but I guess it could be boiling the battery and that could explain it. I just plug my camper in to keep the battery charged.

I know nothing about the charge wizard but I guess it could be boiling the battery and that could explain it. I just plug my camper in to keep the battery charged.

Well the convertor/charger was definetly boiling it, but the charge wizard, which is an accesory for the convertor, was supposed to keep that from happening.

It is supposed to charge, maintain, and desulficate(is that an actuall word) the battery to keep it in prime condition....

Just not sure if it is doing it's job....:cool:

I wonder if you might have a problem with the charger itself or some other electrical gremlin. I have the same charger and a Charge Wizard and no battery issues.

TC

I wonder if you might have a problem with the charger itself or some other electrical gremlin. I have the same charger and a Charge Wizard and no battery issues.

TC

Well like I said, I don't remember if I topped off the battery before I installed the charge wizard. I guess the next thing to do is get a new battery and see what happens.

BUT, the battery was warm today when I topped it off.....and the charge wizard was blinking in storage mode...:confused:

I have the CW in my Desert Fox with dual Interstate deep cycles. They do NOT boil dry, nor are they warm. That being said, I did need to have the Intellipower replaced under warenty. (Would blow fuses under medium to heavy DC load)

I don't think that the CW is the best at preventing sulfication. I personally like the BatteryMINDer, available from Camping World for ~$35. Cheaper to run on a daily basis, and a more advanced desulfication method IMHO.

Gel-cells are cool, but if you really want the best scenerio, most guys will run dual 6 volt golf cart type batteries vs. one 12v deep cycle, assuming you have the room.

My guess is that your Intellipower is bad, or the battery was already toast.

Hope this helps.

I have the CW in my Desert Fox with dual Interstate deep cycles. They do NOT boil dry, nor are they warm. That being said, I did need to have the Intellipower replaced under warenty. (Would blow fuses under medium to heavy DC load)

I don't think that the CW is the best at preventing sulfication. I personally like the BatteryMINDer, available from Camping World for ~$35. Cheaper to run on a daily basis, and a more advanced desulfication method IMHO.

Gel-cells are cool, but if you really want the best scenerio, most guys will run dual 6 volt golf cart type batteries vs. one 12v deep cycle, assuming you have the room.

My guess is that your Intellipower is bad, or the battery was already toast.

Hope this helps.

Well the battery has been cooked probably a couple to many times,(maybe that is why it was warm?) I replaced the Intellipower within the last 2 years.

I don't use the trailer but about 2-4 times a year, and usually leave it plugged in.

So do you think i should run dual 12v's instead of just a single? I don't think i will spend the money to run the golf cart 6v's

Maybe get some good Interstate Deep cycles instead of the Optima style batteries?

Yeah, if you have the room for duals I'd go that direction, and as stupid as this may sound, if you only use it a couple times a year, I don't know if I'd even spend the extra money for a good deep cycle, depending on how you camp.

If you don't do much boondocking and/or you have a good genset, you might be able to get away with some cheaper auto batteries and just replace them every year... Sounds stupid, but I do it on my boat. ~$35 autozone batteries every season. I just use/abuse them and chuck'um.

On my trailer I went to two 6 volt batteries (it came stock with two 12 volt wired in unison). With the 6 volters (crossed to create 12 volt) my trailers power longevity nearly doubled from 3-4 days to 7-8 days: all dry camping, I rarely camp where there is a power source. I couldn't believe how much heavier the 6 volt batteries are than the 12 V. Length and width of the batteries are the same, but the 6 volt are about 1.5 to 2 inches taller.

hey......i sell Interstate batteries at my store in Granbury. Let me know what you need and I can have them next day at a discount. :)

For what it's worth I would never leave my trailer plugged in 100% of the time. That creates the problem you are having with the batteries always being charged. It causes them to boil and lose water. I would leave it unplugged and plug it in a couple of days before the trip.

My .02.

dual 6 volt golf cart batteries are the best there is for rv's by far:ro)

Yeah, if you have the room for duals I'd go that direction, and as stupid as this may sound, if you only use it a couple times a year, I don't know if I'd even spend the extra money for a good deep cycle, depending on how you camp.

If you don't do much boondocking and/or you have a good genset, you might be able to get away with some cheaper auto batteries and just replace them every year... Sounds stupid, but I do it on my boat. ~$35 autozone batteries every season. I just use/abuse them and chuck'um.

That actually sounds like a pretty good idea, hadn't really thought about that, could get some smaller batteries so they fit, and go that route.
They usually only have to power the gas valve and maybe 1-2 other things for 4-5 hours. Then when I get back to the trailer the generator starts back up.


hey......i sell Interstate batteries at my store in Granbury. Let me know what you need and I can have them next day at a discount. :)

Thanks, but that is still a good hour + away from here, and I have alot to get wrapped up before I go out there.:) I appreciate the offer though....:cool:

For what it's worth I would never leave my trailer plugged in 100% of the time. That creates the problem you are having with the batteries always being charged. It causes them to boil and lose water. I would leave it unplugged and plug it in a couple of days before the trip.

My .02.

Well I thought I was gonna fix that problem with the charge wiz, but I guess I will have to unplug the trailer, then disconnect the batteries. Otherwise they are gonna die anyway...:(

Thanks, but that is still a good hour + away from here, and I have alot to get wrapped up before I go out there.:) I appreciate the offer though....:cool:

well if you just happen to be down this way, feel free to stop by...........:)

For what it's worth I would never leave my trailer plugged in 100% of the time. That creates the problem you are having with the batteries always being charged. It causes them to boil and lose water. I would leave it unplugged and plug it in a couple of days before the trip.

My .02.
He is correct. I do a lot of Boondocking and have a pretty extensive battery array...I use a pair of large "Stowaway" wet cells, plus 3 optimas to power t.v.'s and other toys. I use a Honda generator to charge them all every 3 or 4 days. When I am home I take the batteries out and charge up the optimas and shelve them...the wet cells are on a battery maintainer that keeps them up but does not boil them...I have a monthly schedule to check water, so far in a year I have used less than a gallon of distilled water. The charger in the Trailer will boil the batteries pretty quickly as I think it charges them at over 18 amps.

On my trailer I went to two 6 volt batteries (it came stock with two 12 volt wired in unison). With the 6 volters (crossed to create 12 volt) my trailers power longevity nearly doubled from 3-4 days to 7-8 days: all dry camping, I rarely camp where there is a power source. I couldn't believe how much heavier the 6 volt batteries are than the 12 V. Length and width of the batteries are the same, but the 6 volt are about 1.5 to 2 inches taller.

Same as Doug. It is amazing how much longer the 6v last. When I bought the TT the dealer installed one 12v as a standard. So they credited the 12v towards the two 6's. It's a bit more $ but worth the piece of mind.

I am also wanting to go with the two 6 volts, I currently have one 12 and sometimes on cold night if I run the heater on my trailer the next morning I almost have a hard time starting the gen.
What I would like to know is , I have two battery boxes allready installed but I noticed that the 6 volts are taller then the 12 volt ( I have the trojen group 24 & I am wanting to put 2- trojen t-105's) I noticed at the rv dealer that they sell battery boxes with a snap on extention lip which raises the box about 1 inch. I asked if they could order the extention but, they said no, you have to buy the whole new box:mad: I don't want to spend an extra $24.99 per a box for the taller boxes:eek:

DOes anyone know where I can get these extensions, OR if I can modify my current setup. I want a clean install.

ANy ideas are greatly appreciated:D

JLEW

Why does two 6v batts do better than two 12v? I have two 6v on my tow hauler and would like to know why they are supposed to be better


Boyd

JLEW, that seems way too much for the boxes. When I converted over from two 12 V to two 6 V (Crossed to create 12V) I also replaced the battery boxes. But I remember them being around $15 each. I would shop around for a better price (I got mine at an RV dealer not far away). I did try the 6V in the orig. boxes, but the batteries are too tall-so I bet all one would have to do is somehow elevate the top cover up a little to work with the 6V batteries. Boyd, all you have to do is calculate how many amp hours a battery is capable of to figure out the 6 V will give you almost double the hours a 12 V will. Plus the weight difference, when I had to remove my 12 V from the awkward location they were in, they felt like feathers compared to the heavy 6 V batteries that I replaced them with. And it was not an easy task where mine are located at.

it sounds like the charger too me it is not maintaining iton ly chargingall the time had that happen to me destoyed a new battery by boiling dry

For what it's worth I would never leave my trailer plugged in 100% of the time. That creates the problem you are having with the batteries always being charged. It causes them to boil and lose water. I would leave it unplugged and plug it in a couple of days before the trip.

My .02.

The whole idea of the Charge Wizard (which is an optional plug-in module for this converter made by Intellipower IIRC) is to leave the unit plugged in 24/7. It has three different modes used to cycle the batteries and keep them from sulphicating (sp?). Ordinary converters, even this Intellipower without the CW you are correct. They will (generally) cook the batteries.

My Desert Fox will be a year old this month, and I just re-checked the water levels. Still full.

I have a 2003 40' Carriage that came with 2 Trojan 12V deep cycle batteries. I don't know the name of the converter/charger but have never had a problem with boil-over, this should not happen with a "storage mode". I would get yourself a good brand of deep cycle and try it. Motor-Guide branded batteries are Trojan's, which is about the best around.

these are the charging voltages for the charge wizard.

13,2Vdc trickle charge this will take place when pluged in to the 120Vac, and while using dc power for lighting or whatever.

13.6Vdc is your battery charging voltage. if pluged into 120Vac all the time you will only see 13.2Vdc 99% of the time 13.6Vdc is not needed

14.2 Vdc is the 2 hour high voltage charge rate, to reduce sulphation.

I put in new batteries and CW a year age and have not had to add water yet, and I leave the 120Vac pluged in the whole summer when trailer not in use

Why does two 6v batts do better than two 12v? I have two 6v on my tow hauler and would like to know why they are supposed to be better

Boyd

It's not that all 6 volt batteries do better, it's that 6 volt golf cart batteries do better. They are built with thicker plates and a few other differences I don't remember to optimize their capacity and longevity for golf cart use. Their ability to withstand more abuse than a standard deep cycle battery makes them better for RV use. And whatever factors set their price (supply/demand, volume, etc.) makes them a better value in terms of price and battery capacity. As far as I know there are no 12 volt golf cart batteries.

Why does two 6v batts do better than two 12v? I have two 6v on my tow hauler and would like to know why they are supposed to be better


Boyd

Total available amp hours.

A simple analogy, both AAA and D cell batteries are ~1.5 volt. Which one under the same current/load lasts longer?

Thats right! Grandma's button cell hearing-aid battery! :p:

Started reading this thread and decided to go check the battery in my camper. I have an IP converter/charger and a charge wizard installed in July of 04 along with a new Trojan lead acid marine deep cycle battery. I leave mine plugged in all the time when it is parked by the house and all is well. Battery cool to the touch (well it is 30 degrees out) full of electrolyte and the CW on very slow blink. Love the combination. I stumbled on Netboys camper page and made the change as he had. The old converter that came with the Lance had about a 1.5 amp charge that wouldn't charge a dead battery and would cook off the water if left hooked up. I do plan to add a pair of 6v golf cart batts to the space in front of the right wheel well for extended boondocking.

I have 2 12 volt battries that came with the trailer and for extended dry camping it just does not cut it. I have built a battery box using 2 6 volt battries and things are much better but for me having kids its still not enough. I am looking at a pair of Odyssey batteries, they are dry, don't require any maintinance and have a 10 year warranty. The best thing is looking at the 2150 series 2 batteries can replace 6 6 volt.

I don't trust RV built in converter/chargers! I've had too many batteries cooked and fried out of water while being parked. I recommend leaving RV's unplugged and attach a trickle charger to one of the batteries to keep the batteries charged while it is parked. I bought a one amp unit for motorcycle batteries at Walmart that kept two 27 series deep cells charged when parked!

I replaced the single 12V Marine Start/Deep Cycle battery in my 5ver and install dual Trogan 6V deep cycles, (a true deep cycle). As mentioned, these batteries are too tall for the typical battery box.
I installed one of these boxes, that holds two Trogans 6V deep cycles. Well built and can be bolted down. Cover held down with two screws.
List price is high at $100, but I think I paid $62. That was a lot to pay, but it was exactly what I wanted.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=90115&catalogId=10001&classNum=208&subdeptNum=207&storeNum=9

http://www.bluesea.com/product.asp?Product_Id=24910&d_Id=7462&l1=7462&l2=

I believe bluesea makes these for westmarine.

When I had my Sunline 27ft trailer, I used 2 Trojan T-105 batteries in a VERY HD plastic box by Allied Battery Company Inc:

http://www.alliedbattery.com/boxes.htm

When trading in for my current 5th wheel, I just tranferred the T-105's to my new SunnyBrook. They work very well, with no problems. They also have an excellent reputation. --Paul.

a 5 watt solar panel is plenty to keep the battery topped up.

I have a 20 watt array on the 5er and a charge regulator. (recommended for going over 15 W input.)

Never a dead battery, and the trailer has 2 of them :)

More importantly the other 2 batteries in the trucks stay charged as well in the same circuit.

6 years on the same 2 deep cycle generic batteries and no issues with the solar cells cooking the batteries.

If I kill the batteries in the evening by playing the stereo and lights etc, it charges during the day and they are all good for the next evening

I too switched to the Trogan 6v deep cycle golf cart batteries and have had several friends switch since, for the money they can't be beat.

You need to check to see what type converter you have. There are two types:

1. Dual output (linear). 2. Single output (sometimes called battery floater). The first kind will not be an effective charger and the output for the appliances is sometimes erratic. This type can cook your battery. The second kind filters the voltage so that surges are minimal and provides only the charge that your battery needs.

I was in the same situation you are, so I emailed my converter maker...sent him make and model. The tech sent me a detailed explanation and a set of instructions I could read or download.