[A/S] Re: Converters and inverters

[zuzaberra@xxxxxxxxx]

Hi Frank--

Wow, thanks for this information.  And welcome to the list!

I just bought a '76 Safari that has a new Univolt and an old 
battery.  The battery dial on the control panel showed the battery as 
only being 25% (or below fair) when it should have been fully 
charged.  So I had it tested, and the old battery measured 12.0 
volts.  It was also 8 years old, so I decided to replace it.  

I bought a new Interstate Megatron Marine/Deep Cycle battery, exactly 
what was in there before.  New battery measured over 13 volts before 
I even put it in.  However, once installed, the battery dial on the 
control panel showed about the same reading (below fair).  I plugged 
in to shore power overnight, and in the morning the battery dial had 
moved up, but only slightly.  After 3 days of plug in, this is the 
highest reading I get on this dial.  Some of the other dials work on 
the panel--water tank, main & aux holding tanks are accurate. But the 
Ammeter and Panel light dials do nothing.

I had a friend look at things and he said the wiring to the Univolt 
does not match the wiring diagram in the Owner's manual.  A few wires 
are not connected, and he thinks these are probably to the Ammeter 
and Panel light dials.  But that does not explain why the Battery 
dial only shows 25% full, when in fact the battery is fully charged.

The fellow I bought this trailer from said that when he had the new 
Univolt system installed, it was modified to eliminate the 
constant "hum".  It's true, there is no hum in my trailer, and I 
value that complete silence. Only once and a while an "on and off" 
sound comes from the Univolt.  My friend offered to re-wire the whole 
thing for me "so that it matches the wiring diagram."  I am reluctant 
to let him do this, because really everything works fine except the 
battery dial, the ammeter, and the panel light.  And I love the 
silence. 

My question: I would really like to know the actual state of the 
battery charge, without having to go outside all the time with a 
voltmeter. Can this one dial be replaced or recalibrated?  I'd also 
like to have the ammeter and panel light work, but they are not as 
critical to me.   I really don't want the whole thing rewired.

Question #2: I'd like to add another battery, but my bettery 
compartment seems to only hold one.  Can I do this safely by 
installing it under the sink, or some other place?  I've seem 
batteries mounted behind the propane tanks, and that may be on 
option.  What is your opinion on this?

Thanks for any assistance you may be able to offer.  

--Susan