Re: [A/S] Univolt

[Jerry Flanders <jflanders2@xxxxxxxx>]

Did you say what you meant, Jim? As I remember, the constant-voltage 
charger or converter works just the oppposite of what you described. 
With  a constant-voltage system, you get a high charging current when the 
battery voltage is low, and it decreases to zero when the battery voltage 
comes up to the same as the charger or converter. With this system, the 
unit is designed to have the exact same voltage as a fully charged battery.

What you described is more typical of a "constant-current" charger or 
converter, which will "force-feed" the battery with the same current 
regardless of whether it needs it or not. The old battery chargers had 
similar characteristics to this, and you had to disconnect them after 
awhile to avoid damage to the battery.

I have had several Airstream trailers over the years - '69' '76, '78' 89' 
and '91, and the only problem I ever had with the converters is once in the 
'76 I had a cap go out in the univolt, which I replaced in spite of the 
dire warnings to not open it. Incidentally, my current trailer, the '91, 
uses a switching circuit in the converter. Excellent regulation and high 
power capacity (55amps, I think), but it puts out a lot of  "noise" that 
interferes with the TV on weak stations.

Jerry W4UK