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Topic: Changing charger voltage (Read 889 times) previous topic - next topic

Changing charger voltage

Can you you change the voltage on a Heart Interface Invertter. Mine seems to be overcharging and should reset itself but it doesn't. The panel in the coach has a flashing light saying overcharge and the voltage showing is 17. Are there dip switches any where? The front of the unit only has an on off button along with three breakers that can be reset if blown.
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #1 –
I have been on their site and found the owners manual,look up your model and check it out.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #2 –
Quote from: joeszeidel –
Can you you change the voltage on a Heart Interface Invertter. Mine seems to be overcharging and should reset itself but it doesn't. The panel in the coach has a flashing light saying overcharge and the voltage showing is 17. Are there dip switches any where? The front of the unit only has an on off button along with three breakers that can be reset if blown.
Think your unit has dipswitchs to adjust charge voltages. Probably not possible to set for that high a voltage. If really 17 volts [would use accurate voltmeter on batteries] best way to reset that unit is to disconnect ac in and batteries for 5 min. If that does not fix it, you probably have a problem with the unit.  http://www.xantrex.com/documents/Discontinued-Products/Freedom%20series%201.pdf
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #3 –
With the engine running the charging voltage is 14. When plugged in the voltage is 17. Any thoughts?
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #4 –
Quote from: joeszeidel –
With the engine running the charging voltage is 14. When plugged in the voltage is 17. Any thoughts?
When plugged in, inverter is charging, when not plugged in and engine running, alternator is charging, sure looks like a faulty inverter. I  would shut off charger section, 17 volts is not the best for your batteries
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #5 –
Do you have a remote panel inside the coach? If there is there are either dip switches or you can change charging on the front of the remote depending which one you have.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #6 –
17 is so far above normal that I doubt you need to adjust the settings on a 21 year old charger. More likely needs to be replaced.
95 U300SE

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #7 –
Heart Freedom 20 & 25 have modified sine wave inverters, limited charging profiles, and like other stuff, have a limited life, sometimes with catastrophic endings.  Consider any serious anomaly with a very old electronic device a warning.  Plan your next step and upgrade when convenient, instead of being stuck on the road.  A charger that works ok for a long time, that suddenly starts charging at a too high voltage, likely do not have any 'adjustments' to remedy the problem and may be failing.

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #8 –
Agree with B&C, not worth even trying to repair. No support and probably will not find anyone willing to look at it. Get a new pure sine wave now before, [might be too late] your batteries are cooked.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #9 –
With all do respect, I would 1st check the house battery's individually, before you start throwing expensive parts at it. I would do a hydrometer check to each cell, in each battery if you have wet battery's. If not you can fully charge each battery separately, then do a load test on each one independently.
One bad cell in one battery,will create overcharge. I had a friend that went through two inverter/ converters in his toy hauler, only to find out it was one battery was bad.

Good read here, read the last paragraph:

Can I Connect Dissimilar Batteries in Parallel?
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #10 –
Quote from: gracerace –
With all do respect, I would 1st check the house battery's individually, before you start throwing expensive parts at it. I would do a hydrometer check to each cell, in each battery if you have wet battery's. If not you can fully charge each battery separately, then do a load test on each one independently.
One bad cell in one battery,will create overcharge. I had a friend that went through two inverter/ converters in his toy hauler, only to find out it was one battery was bad.

Good read here, read the last paragraph:

Can I Connect Dissimilar Batteries in Parallel?
Could be batteries, best to check when not trying to charge. But the fact that alternator is putting out 14 volts, and inverter charger 17 volts, sure does indicate bad charger. Never seen a normal inverter/charger put out more than 15 volts, regardless of battery state.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #11 –
Quote from: gracerace –
With all do respect, I would 1st check the house battery's individually, before you start throwing expensive parts at it. I would do a hydrometer check to each cell, in each battery if you have wet battery's. If not you can fully charge each battery separately, then do a load test on each one independently.
One bad cell in one battery,will create overcharge. I had a friend that went through two inverter/ converters in his toy hauler, only to find out it was one battery was bad.

Good read here, read the last paragraph:

Can I Connect Dissimilar Batteries in Parallel?
Interesting point, does the charging sense  voltage change as a single cell fails, easily detected on on a 6 cell battery. On a multiple  parallel battery banks does this get masked and lead to a chain reaction of overcharged cells?
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #12 –
A bad (shorted cell) battery drops the voltage and increases the charge current. You would see normal voltages but current would increase and the bad battery would be hot. In this case, i would bet any bad batteries he has is due to the charger pumping in 17 volts, which is the root cause here.

Even with a bad cell no charger should be outputting 17 volts to a 12v bank. Whatever you do, don't run that charger again. Use a small portable charger to keep your batteries charged until you can troubleshoot/repair/replace your failed charger.
95 U300SE

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
Interesting point, does the charging sense  voltage change as a single cell fails, easily detected on on a 6 cell battery. On a multiple  parallel battery banks does this get masked and lead to a chain reaction of overcharged cells?
I think this is very possible, as gracerace says, best to check each battery individually to find the bad battery as the charger will look at the banks as one big battery and charge accordingly. But, all the chargers I have seen, will increase amps, but not volts, [over a preset value built into the charger]. Eg; My Prosine will look at at bank/banks at 11.5 volts and say, time for bulk charge at 120 amps BUT will not increase bulk charge voltage over the chargers set bulk charge voltage, in my case for agms, 14.4 volts.  Of course, 120 amps at 14.4 volts into good charged batteries will destroy them, but 17 volts at 120 amps, will destroy them a lot faster.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #14 –
It is not the batteries. I just replaced mine for the exact same reason. Eventually, like Barry/Cindy say, the circuit board smoked and could have caused a fire had I not been there. And there is no adjustment.

1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.
 

Re: Changing charger voltage

Reply #15 –
I am at Lazy Days and I have disconnected the negative connections on both batteries. Its been about two hours and the voltage on each battery is 13volts. I will continue to monitor the voltage it should drop a little and hopefully not lower than 12 volts. I agree and believe the inverter is shot. When I return home I will charge batteries with a standard charger until I can change them out.
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30