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Topic: better than Trik-L-Start to charge start batteries (Read 868 times) previous topic - next topic

better than Trik-L-Start to charge start batteries

In researching solar stuff, I found a product much bettter than our beloved Trik L Start to keep our start battery bank charged when not driving.

It is Magnum Energy ME-SBC (ME-SBC Smart Battery Combiner).  We installed it and our start batteries are now being charged at the correct voltage.  The ME-SBC has a circuit board and adjustable connect voltages. 

No more half-volt diode loss.  I found that diode-based, start-battery-bank chargers (like Trik-L-Start) are less effective during 100+ degree days.  Our Xantrex Prosine-2.0 is set to lower battery float voltages to around 12.9 volts when batteries are around 110 degrees.  With low house-battery charge voltages, after the diode voltage drop, start battery was being charged at voltages less than 12.6, which is no-charge. 

Magnum works like an automatic boost switch by connecting batteries together, so start battery is also being charged at 12.9 volts.  Bought from CruiserMarine.com for $105 + $5 shipping.  It is not weather proof, so I connected it at the 12-volt bay-wall panel in our coach where there are high-amperage start & house battery cables.

For several years we have been using a Magnum Energy automatic generator start product that has saved us several times from depleting our house batteries.

Barry & Cindy
 

Re: better than Trik-L-Start to charge start batteries

Reply #1 –
We like our Magnum battery bank combiner, but recently found we have a problem with it.  The combiner's job is to combine start to house batteries but it only allows 20-amps to flow.  Over 20-amps the combiner has internal protection that somehow screws up our transmission computer which then interferes with our coach starting relay.  It may not happen with other coaches.  We are temporarily unpluging the combiner green plug when starting and then plug it back it to keep the start battery charged.  I hope to find a way to overcome our starting problem, but have not yet figured it out.  Transmission feed wire in our coach is on the 12-volt panel behind the white bay cover and is probably the being interferred with by the nearby combiner.

I think if I connect the combiner to the boost solenoid or isolator, it will be far enough away from transmission connections to cause a problem.  But the boost solenoid and isolator are not in a waterproof area and the combiner is not waterproof.  So if I can find a way to put the combiner in waterproof container, I can connect it to the boost solenoid or isolator, which is located behind left rear tire in our 1997 coach.  Later coaches put these on rear engine wall.

Behind the white bay cover are big cables from house battery bank and start battery bank and battery ground, so that is a logical place to connect the combiner, but I would recommend connecting to boost solenoid or isolator, but a good ground connection is needed.