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Old 03-13-2019, 01:30 PM   #1
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Over charge condition on batteries

Our Gopower! control panel started blinking after we plugged in yesterday, indicating an over charge condition on our batteries (showing 15.4) Go power tech advised to do a "hard reset" by disconnecting the four cables entering the control panel, letting the capacitors discharge over 20 minutes, and then reconnecting which we did. The system seems to be functioning normally since although the battery charge of 15.1 is higher than usual.

My question, that I failed to ask the GoPower! tech, was why didn't our EMS system detect the power surge or whatever it was that caused the battery to become over charged? Battery fluid levels are ok, btw.
Any thoughts would be great.
Thanks!
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Old 03-13-2019, 02:11 PM   #2
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The EMS only protects 120v system, whereas you are dealing with a 12v battery issue.
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Old 03-13-2019, 02:17 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yardsale View Post
Our Gopower! control panel started blinking after we plugged in yesterday, indicating an over charge condition on our batteries (showing 15.4) Go power tech advised to do a "hard reset" by disconnecting the four cables entering the control panel, letting the capacitors discharge over 20 minutes, and then reconnecting which we did. The system seems to be functioning normally since although the battery charge of 15.1 is higher than usual.

My question, that I failed to ask the GoPower! tech, was why didn't our EMS system detect the power surge or whatever it was that caused the battery to become over charged? Battery fluid levels are ok, btw.
Any thoughts would be great.
Thanks!
If you are getting 15.1 volts for bulk charge, your GoPower charger has failed. That much voltage will end up cooking your batteries and the GoPower should be replaced. Also, a number of the 12v devices in your trailer don't like voltages that high.

https://www.amazon.com/Go-Power-GP-P.../dp/B007KIUDBQ

Or better yet, buy a Victron MPPT controller and replace the GoPower PWM.

https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Smart...omotive&sr=1-3
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Old 03-13-2019, 03:13 PM   #4
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The EMS only protects 120v system, whereas you are dealing with a 12v battery issue.
True, and even if the WFCO converter/charger was given too much AC voltage, that wouldn't cause it to over-charge the battery.

The problem is presumably a failure of one of the chargers: the GoPower solar charge controller, or the WFCO converter/charger. The GoPower charge controller is seeing the excessive charging voltage; that doesn't mean it's causing the excessive charging voltage. I would connect only one charger at a time, and see what they do to the battery.
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Old 03-13-2019, 03:26 PM   #5
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If they throw the master disconnect switch, it should isolate all but the solar. The reading then maybe helpful.
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Old 03-13-2019, 03:28 PM   #6
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If they throw the master disconnect switch, it should isolate all but the solar. The reading then maybe helpful.
Yes, that is a good way to disconnect the WFCO converter/charger... although that can also be done by unplugging shore power or turning off the breaker in the panel for the converter.
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Old 03-13-2019, 05:05 PM   #7
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Seeing as how the voltage showed too high when they plugged in, which to me means city power, it sounds like the WFCO has bit the bullet. If you unplug from city power what does the voltage read?
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Old 03-13-2019, 09:14 PM   #8
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If the WFCO bit the dust the Progressive Dynamics PD4655LMBA WildKat main board is a drop in replacement with a charge wizard that shows and allows charging mode selection.

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f3...tml#post237217
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Old 03-15-2019, 09:33 AM   #9
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Planning to contact my local RV guy for his take on all this, although we are in Vermont and the trailer is stored in Salt Lake City for 6 weeks.
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