Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I have a Vagabond II that I keep plugged in while not in use. Just a few minutes ago, I walked into the room where I keep it and noticed a very odd burning smell. For some reason, my eyes gravitated directly over to my VII. Sure enough, the batter was almost too hot to touch and emitting a very, very foul odor. I unplugged it, pulled the fuse, and placed it outside to cool.

I was under the impression that the VII was designed not to overcharge and would shut off when fully charged. Is this just a battery failure? Or is it probable that my inverter has an issue as well? I'm not going to be plugging this thing in any time soon until I at least replace the battery.

It is designed to not over charge, though batteries can get hot when they are bad. Even properly maintained batteries have a finite lifespan. Typical failure involves the battery sulfating (which is likely the smell you describe). A replacement battery may very well be th only solution required.

However, there is a chance the charge output is low. If you are familiar with using a multimeter you can check the voltage yourself to ensure it reads 13.7-14.2 VDC. This would be with the battery disconnected, ensuring contacts and leads to not touch, and the inverter plugged in as though it is being charged. If you are not familiar with voltage testing, or would like us to inspect the inverter for any reason, then you are certainly welcome to send the unit to us.