Bob,
You do have some valid generalizations.
The battery will not be drained if you use the lights while plugged in,
that's what the UniVolt is for. Basically, the U.V. is a big 12VDC power
supply that also does a half-assed job of charging the battery. You
don't need to "use the DC lights to discharge the battery", just use
them whenever you want light. (!)
If you simply use the trailer and UniVolt as designed, you'll have
little trouble and should get 3-4 years out of a standard ol' "Marine/RV
Deep Cycle" battery. Check the water in the battery at least monthly and
don't leave the trailer plugged in during long periods of non-use.
However, you SHOULD plug it in for 24 hours once per month during long
periods of non-use.
For the most part, all of this technical nonsense amounts to is fun and
games for the purist. IF you do a lot of dry camping/boondocking, then
it becomes a bit more real. IF you want to get a bit more than 3 or 4
years out of the battery(ies), you need to pay attention to the
technical crap. However, if your camping normally includes an electrical
hookup, follow paragraph 3 above and you'll be happy.
<<Jim>>
Bob Kiger wrote:
>
> Yo Jim,
> I was thinking that, since I was plugged into line current, the battery
> would not run down that far. But some posts have indicated that the Univolt
> runs through the battery to provide power to the DC lighting so if I use the
> lights I would be draining the battery.
>
> So far this active string has taught me to:
> 1. Leave battery charging via Univolt while on line power.
> 2. Check battery water once a month or more often.
> 3. Use DC lights regularly to discharge battery.
> 4. Figure on a 3-4 year battery life.
>
> The next steps beyong these basics have to do with solar panels, inverters,
> and quality charging devices. They would appear to be more important to the
> traveler than the resident user.
>
> Fair generalizations?
>
> Bob Kiger aka Cruiser Bob
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On
> Behalf Of Jim Dunmyer
> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2000 3:42 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: [VAC] Battery Overcharging
>
> Bob,
> What's going to charge the battery in the meantime?
>
> If you're simply not using the trailer for long periods, you should
> unplug the shore power cord. Connect it once a month for a day or so to
> keep up the charge on the battery and you'll be OK.
>
> <<Jim>>
>
> Bob Kiger wrote:
> >
> > I was actually thinking about putting in the cuttoff switch to avoid
> having
> > the Univolt overcharge the battery. Then, every month, I would reverse
> the
> > switch to "on" and let Univolt charge the battery. Am I planning
> something
> > wrongly?
> >
> >
> --
>
> <<http://www.oldengine.org/members/jdunmyer>>
> <<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>>
> <<lower SE Michigan, USA>>
> <<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>>
--
<<http://www.oldengine.org/members/jdunmyer>>
<<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>>
<<lower SE Michigan, USA>>
<<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>>
