Our 2001 U270 came with 3 Optima engine starting batteries. I replaced them with 3 larger ones about a year ago. We keep the motorhome at our place in the country and turn on the boost switch for around 24 hours about once a week. When I was gone for about 2-1/2 weeks the batteries showed 10.9 volts on my digital volt meter so I charged them overnight at 10 amps, AGM setting. A week later they showed 12.6 volts so I assume they are OK.
I realize that I could disconnect the batteries every time I leave but would prefer not to.
Is it OK to just leave the boost switch on all the time, except when driving or is this asking for other problems? Other suggestions are also welcome.
Thanks, Robert.
There are some great previous discussions on the forum to get you started. Search on trickle charger, Trik-l-start, battery minder as some of your search terms. Another thought is to search for storage charging batteries since those words will turn up a bunch of relevant threads.
Boost switch should not be left on all the time because all you are doing is linking the 2 battery banks together. If you lose shore power you will take down both sets of batteries.
Yandina Combiner is what I used. I used the Yandina to replace the battery isolator.
Why not put a 20w solar panel on the roof for start batteries. I have been doing that for over a year and never a problem to start.
JohnH
I am plugged in to shore power just like you, and I used to do the same by putting the Boost switch on once a week, but it is a pain and then walking through the snow etc. So I fitted battery maintainer on the engine batteries as have many others, see posts here today, and leave it alone. Works well.
Speedbird 1.
I'm so dumb & lazy that I plug my charger into a timer set to charge for one hour a day. Saves me having to go out & turn anything on or hook anything up. It has worked for five years now and keeps the batteries charged and yet not over charged.
Thanks for your suggestions. I leave my motorhome under it's carport, plugged in to 50 amp service with the auto start switch on and a full tank of fuel. The rural area where we store it is subject to occasional power service problems and I arrived there one time to find the generator running. We also use this 10 KW generator for powering the home appliances during power outages.
I'm thinking that the easiest/cheapest solution is to just use a small trickle charger.
As long as you have a shore power setup I can recommend from experience the Amp-L-Start charge stealer 15 amp. $65. Using your boost switch means that solenoid is always on and that many batteries makes any charging system play to the best battery for leveling charge and etc. The amplstart simply diverts some charging current from your inverter/charger and on its own levels off at correct charge level so overcharge doesn't occur. Easy to install. I installed mine in bedroom at foot of bed so it was not exposed to engine bay temps. Once it is installed you can rest assured your engine starting batteries will be ready to rumble any time you have been sitting on SP. The unit will also charge those batts if generator is running.
This is what I use and it works like a charm !!! ^.^d
Ultra TRIK-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer (http://www.lslproducts.net/UTLS_FAQs.html)
I have Optima batteries and use the "Digital 400". I run the monitor from the start batteries up thru the bed and mount it on the bed wall under the skirt. Have been using it that way for 2 years. No issues at all.
John
OPTIMA® Battery Chargers |OPTIMA® Digital 400 and Digital 1200 12V Performanc... (http://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/battery-charger)
Others have negative experiences with this, but I agree with Gerry - 6 years and no issues.
I have used the Genius Battery Chargers on both my starter battery and my house battery for the past 3 years. I only connect the coach when it is going to be below freezing. Only $59.95 from Amazon. In MHO, well worth the money.
NOCO Genius G3500 6V/12V 3.5A UltraSafe Smart Battery Charger
Just finished installing Trk-L Start. Battery isolator right next to my chassis batts. Took coach battery power from isolator, ground to chassis and charge lead to chassis battery. Working great, when I add solar it will maintain start batteries automatically as well. Under $30.