Battery question

[rfrye1]

I admit my knowledge of batteries & charging systems is my weakest link. I just replaced my two 4D house batteries. I've had issues with overcharging while away for 6-8 weeks. I have a Heart Freedom Invertor charger (1998). I was told when I leave the fridge on (12v), it confuses the charger and can lead to the over charge. My question is: if I switch all batteries OFF, the 12v panel goes off, as I expect. When I plug into shore power and the 12v system on, I can run anything on the 12v side. So if I turn batteries off, and refridge on, is it running off the charger?? Or thru the batteries??
Just trying to keep my batteries from cooking.
Thanks. Bob.

 

[Calif. Ted]

if I switch all batteries OFF, the 12v panel goes off, as I expect.

Yes,

When I plug into shore power and the 12v system on, I can run anything on the 12v side.

Yes, they are running off the batts which are being charged from shorepower

So if I turn batteries off, and refridge on, is it running off the charger??

I don't see how a 12 volt refer will run if batts are off and 12 volt panel is off.
Check for a temperature setting on your charger, we use setting for warmest temps here.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

It can be misleading if you rely on this or any other answer without fist knowing if any changes have ever been made to the original wiring.
If original, the charger will only produce the power demanded by the refrigeration compressor. If the charger is regulated properly and functioning normally, it will not overcharge the batteries.
Whoever told you differently has some notion that just because the batteries are in line, there is some perceived effect which might sould logical but it isn't the case.

 

[Ron20324]

Some chargers have a switch to set to a constant voltage (13.8?) for what you want to do. I've done that with my Xantrex for years to run the fridge in the slip.