Author: RustlerSubject: Converter voltage
Posted: 03 Aug 2016 at 2:23am
This is an interesting discussion. I've been wanting to tell about my experience with a new 2016 Rpod 171. I recently installed a
GT Power RC 130A Power Analyzer Battery Consumption Performance Monitor ($11.36 on Amazon), which I highly recommend. It is currently in line between an unused 12-volt circuit in the fuse box and a
RigRunner 4004USB. The latter will be used for all my add-on 12-volt appliances. I really dislike the ubiquitous 12-volt cigarette lighter type connectors for 12 volt. So far I've cut off the cig. plugs of my appliances (Endless Breeze Fan, Duracell Pocket inverter 175) and reconnected the plug with a set of Anderson Powerpole connectors (
Powerwerx.com). That way the appliances are still useable with cig. lighter plug, but can also be connected with the superior Powerpoles.
With the RigRunner mounted on the shelf behind the dinette table I can power all my add-on DC appliances. Each circuit has its own easily accessible fuse. And the Rigrunner has two USB charging ports for charging iPhone and iPads. It will also be capable of handling the 22-amp load of my portable Ham radio base station. This current draw is only when transmitting on high power. Just listening the load is around 1/2 amp. I will soon be posting how I installed all of this (including photos), along with connecting a solar panel.
So that is my electrical situation, which brings me to the subject of this thread - Converter voltage. The Battery Consumption Performance Monitor has 4 different read-outs in the corners of its display, showing DC volts, amps, watts and a 4th display that cycles through several different measurements (volts min., amp-hours, watt-hours, amps peak, watts peak). Of course the way I have it set up it only measures these quantities for loads connected to the RigRunner. But the voltage reading is measured right at the 12-volt DC bus in the fuse box.
When I installed all of this I discovered that on shore power the converter seems to float the battery at 13.89 volts. This ought to keep the battery fully charged, but is really too high for a flooded lead-acid battery, leading to excessive water consumption. It would be best to have it float at 13.2 volts. Strangely after several weeks of showing a high float voltage, just tonight it started showing 13.38 volts (with minimal load), which isn't too far off mark.
On the converter website (
WFCOelectronics.com) in the FAQ section they said after 44 hours with no load, the converter will switch to float voltage. My Rpod has a number of small continuous loads. Also there is daily 1-2 amp load with the vent fan, which I turn on to keep the inside temperatures from getting too high. So there is really never a 44 hour no-load situation.
I'm hopeful that the present somewhat lower (13.38) float voltage will continue. Even with the 13.89 volt float water consumption in 2-1/2 months wasn't as bad as I had feared. But I certainly will be checking the water levels frequently to avoid killing a battery.
What have some of you forum members experienced with float voltage on your Rpods?
