Re: [A/S] Re: Newbie

[Dick Kenan <as5368@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>One thing that you should consider is putting two Trojan 6 volt
>batteries in place of the two 12 volt marine style batteries. You will
>still get 12 volts if you connect them properly but the 6 volts are
>constructed differently and will last about 3 time the length of the
>12 volts. Your 12 volts will fry every 3 or 4 years and the 6 volts
>will last past 10 years if a good charge is maintained.

         Be very careful - if your unit has two battery compartments, they 
are set up to wire the batteries in parallel.  Hence, if you use just one 
battery, then you will get half the lifetime of two batteries under 
constant load [big DUH! ;-)], but that's not just a couple of hours under 
careful use.  Normal use will see the batteries charged regularly - say 
every day or so.  So long as you pay attention to the water levels, you 
would be ok.
But, if you use two six-volt batteries, they will have to be wired in 
series, i.e., you will not be able to use the installed wiring as it is 
now.  Not a big job.
         If you have one of the older Univolts, it may, indeed, be frying 
your batteries.  In that case, I'd get one of the replacements recommended 
on this list.  I can't remember it's name - something like "Intellicharge" 
with a "Charge Wizzard."  That's a true 3-stage charger.  I'd inquire of 
Charlie Burke, who may know what to expect in a 1987 trailer.  From your 
earlier posts, I'd guess that it's just as likely that the Univolt is not 
to blame and that the PO simply neglected the unit.

- Dick
(5368)