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battery maintainer

This topic has been covered from what I can gather more than 6 months ago. AMP L start  and other maintainer deviced have been mentioned. For those that used the AMP L Start and had failures I ask if you mounted the device in the engine compartment or in a cooler environment. My thinking is to mount inside the bedroom at foot of the bed where I can view the led readouts.
Thanks in advance
Every day is a gift
Bob and Pat
2000 36 U295 cummins 350hp
Coach has been sold thanks to MOT 11/2016

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #1 –
Bob,

If you are referring to the Trik-L-Start, I mounted mine directly on the battery, and tied in at the isolator.  It's been there 2+ years, and still working perfectly.  YRMV.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #2 –
I have the AMP L start which  has a  15 amp charging rate and there are a couple more led lights than the trik l . Since my coach has a large bit of realestate between battery banks the recommended connection point is at the boost relay or battery isolator.
I have never felt comfortable using just the isolator for parked and plugged into shore power to maintain the starting batteries. This device mentioned here seems like a great addition to an already great coach.
Every day is a gift
Bob and Pat
2000 36 U295 cummins 350hp
Coach has been sold thanks to MOT 11/2016

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #3 –
I use a Battery Tender Power Tender 5A unit mounted in the bedroom on the pedestal of the bed. It is a "smart charger" that operates from 120VAC. It maintains charge on the chassis batteries while on shore power, generator, or inverter. I've use it for a few years and have been pleased.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #4 –
JD Stevens Where and how did you run your wires. Your method sounds exactly as I have envisioned. My coach is stored away from my everyday view so I am curious. Could include a picture or 2?
Every day is a gift
Bob and Pat
2000 36 U295 cummins 350hp
Coach has been sold thanks to MOT 11/2016

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #5 –
You can connect the 12 VDC output wires from the charger to any place you have a good solid  connection to the chassis battery.

Popular choices are at the chassis battery lug of the battery isolator and at the chassis battery itself.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #6 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
I use a Battery Tender Power Tender 5A unit mounted in the bedroom on the pedestal of the bed. It is a "smart charger" that operates from 120VAC. It maintains charge on the chassis batteries while on shore power, generator, or inverter. I've use it for a few years and have been pleased.
Just curious, why from the inverter? using battery power to charge batteries. I know the coach batteries are bigger but why use them?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #7 –
Quote from: craneman –
Just curious, why from the inverter? using battery power to charge batteries. I know the coach batteries are bigger but why use them?
Because plugging the Battery Tender to that 120VAC outlet was so easy, and that outlet is live when the inverter is on. The fact that the Tender is on while the inverter is supplying power a consequence of where I plugged it in. It is not a design goal. We only turn the inverter on while we are occupying the coach.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #8 –
Quote from: gootie –
JD Stevens Where and how did you run your wires. Your method sounds exactly as I have envisioned. My coach is stored away from my everyday view so I am curious. Could include a picture or 2?
I simply attached the Battery Tender to the side of the platform for the bed with a couple of screws. Our coach has 120VAC outlets in that location. I can easily see the LED status lights of the charger. I ran the 12VDC through the platform and into the engine compartment. I sealed the holes with caulk.

The 12VDC wires tie into the 12VDC system from the chassis batteries. The connection could be at the isolater, the battery terminals, or any place that provides a direct electrical path to the chassis batteries. I tied into a couple of wires that the PO (previous owner) had used for a 2A "not as smart" charger that he had put in the engine compartment.

A small smart charger could be placed anywhere in the coach that would conveniently allow access to a 120VAC outlet and a point to tie into a chassis "always hot" wire and a good ground. Because currents for battery maintenance are low, distance from the batteries is not a significant factor.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #9 –
I used to use one of the Battery Tenders till it packed in then followed my Brothers idea of putting a 70w solar panel on the roof just to keep these engine batteries up to scratch. They have been on for our 5 month trip and had no problem doing the job and I never have to worry about it as we do not plug in to 120v very much in RV parks so this works just fine. It is a 3 stage one so that is good. I put up another 160w panel I bought from AMSOLAR as we passed by their shop on way home so now have 860 watts up top. By the way anyone that thinks the taped and levelling caulk will not hold those panels down should have seen the trouble I had to remove one of the original panels off roof to move it slightly to make more room for this new one. It was a job cutting thru the stuff and I honestly thought I was going to pull the fibreglass roof apart to move it. They are never moving unless a tornado hits!! NO need for screws at all.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #10 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
You can connect the 12 VDC output wires from the charger to any place you have a good solid  connection to the chassis battery.

Popular choices are at the chassis battery lug of the battery isolator and at the chassis battery itself.

I mounted ours on the wall next to the main DC circuit breaker panel on the rear wall of the rear storage bay. It's protected from the elements and there was a 120 V outlet nearby.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #11 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
Because plugging the Battery Tender to that 120VAC outlet was so easy, and that outlet is live when the inverter is on. The fact that the Tender is on while the inverter is supplying power a consequence of where I plugged it in. It is not a design goal. We only turn the inverter on while we are occupying the coach.

A wise practice in this instance  :)  Just like leaving the Boost switch on, leaving the inverter on and the Battery Tender pulling from the house batteries to keep the chassis batteries charged will result in both sets of batteries being drained below usefulness if you don't have a source of replenishment, like shore power, generator, or solar.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #12 –
AMPL-start and TRIK L start are both passive charge stealers and function only when the onboard charger/inverter is applying current to charge the house batteries. I chose the AMPL-start for its 15 amp capability as I have 3 starting batteries in parallel and assumed that a 5 amp TRIK-L start would leave the statring bank undercharged in certain situations. After reading here I will definitely mount mine at base of our bed and run wires through new holes or something existing if available. Work on this expected to start Mar 11. Doing some Grandparenting later today and running through Thur in Byron,IL
Starting to feel like Spring here
Every day is a gift
Bob and Pat
2000 36 U295 cummins 350hp
Coach has been sold thanks to MOT 11/2016

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #13 –
I have asked this question at Batteryminder company and still await an answer. Their chargers have desulfating technology built in and they mention connecting to banks of 4 or 6 batteries depending on the unit purchased. My question to them is should the individual batteries be run through a complete cycle before  reconnecting in parallel(12V) and then applying the charger to the complete bank. Any experience or knowledge appreciated. 
Every day is a gift
Bob and Pat
2000 36 U295 cummins 350hp
Coach has been sold thanks to MOT 11/2016

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #14 –
When I first connected my battery minder some years ago, I just started with charged batteries.  I was concerned that the minder was of low capacity, but considering the fact that it is there only to counteract parasitics, it is more than enough.  Ever since installing the unit, I have always been greeted with fully charged starting batteries even after the coach has sat unused for weeks.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer
 

Re: battery maintainer

Reply #15 –
Quote from: gootie –
I have asked this question at Batteryminder company and still await an answer. Their chargers have desulfating technology built in and they mention connecting to banks of 4 or 6 batteries depending on the unit purchased. My question to them is should the individual batteries be run through a complete cycle before  reconnecting in parallel(12V) and then applying the charger to the complete bank. Any experience or knowledge appreciated. 
My biggest claim to expertise on battery maintenance is that the original battery on my Goldwing motorcycle served well for six years.  ;) I kept it on a Battery Tender while the motorcycle was parked, which was almost all the time.

I agree with Tom Lang's suggestion that a 5A charger should be quite ample for the chassis batteries, provided they are being "maintained" rather than in need of charging. I maintain the house batteries on our coach with the Link 2000/Freedom 25 system. You could probably maintain (and desulphate) house batteries with a Battery Minder.

I have bought some Battery Minders, as well. I like the desulphating function. It won't hurt and will probably help keep batteries in good shape.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX