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Topic: Charging House Batteries (Read 1101 times) previous topic - next topic

Charging House Batteries

                       As I was finishing up winterizing today I kept hearing the house battery charger running. It got me thinking that maybe it would be more efficient to unhook the shore power and just put a small battery minder on them. The coach will be setting for a few months (other than monthly exersize) and seems like a lot to ask of the house charger to run 24/7.

      I know some of you have installed hardwired battery minders for the starting batteries and I use a little charger that I already owned shown below. Any reason not to do the same on the house batt's?

                Dean

             
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Charging House Batteries

Reply #1 –
Your build in charger or inverter/charger is just fine working 24/7.  Be sure it is programmed properly (see the charger's owners manual).  That is what they are designed to do.  And, once in float mode, take very little power.
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: Charging House Batteries

Reply #2 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Your build in charger or inverter/charger is just fine working 24/7.  Be sure it is programmed properly (see the charger's owners manual).  That is what they are designed to do.  And, once in float mode, take very little power.
                                Thanks Brett. It just seems like the cooling fans in the charger/inverter are on quite a bit and over time everything has a lifespan. Also I am cetain that they have to be useing more power than a trikle charger would.

                    I do need to double check the charger programming so thanks for the reminder. I am not exactly sure what brand etc. the house batteries are. I will have to look into that too.
                    Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Charging House Batteries

Reply #3 –
Dean,

Fan running is generally tied to load.  When you are not using the coach and the batteries are fully charged and if float mode, I would be surprised if the fan runs unless ambient temperature is quite high.

And, battery TYPE (i.e. wet cell, AGM, gel) is important when programming.  Also ambient temperatures you anticipate unless you have the built in temperature probe.  You can also enable the power save/power share function which limits how many amps of 120 VAC the charger can use.  That is a great feature if you are on 15 or 30 amp shore power and want to be able to use other 120 VAC appliances. 

Brett
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: Charging House Batteries

Reply #4 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Dean,

Fan running is generally tied to load.  When you are not using the coach and the batteries are fully charged and if float mode, I would be surprised if the fan runs unless ambient temperature is quite high.

And, battery TYPE (i.e. wet cell, AGM, gel) is important when programming.  Also ambient temperatures you anticipate unless you have the built in temperature probe.  You can also enable the power save/power share function which limits how many amps of 120 VAC the charger can use.  That is a great feature if you are on 15 or 30 amp shore power and want to be able to use other 120 VAC appliances. 

Brett
                          Brett, I was just out there looking at the batteries and the coach releveled which made the house compressor come on. That's some of the load. I think I will put the coach in travel mode so it won't relevel.

                The house batt's are MK gels 8G8D 12V225AH. I took a quick look at the charger manual and decided to do some studying before I go into configure it. May need some guidence with that.

            The ambient temp may have to change (don't know if I have the probe you mentioned)because this will be the coach's first Maine winter and I am sure it is set up for Tx. temps.

              Thanks, Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Charging House Batteries

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Dean & Dee –
The ambient temp may have to change (don't know if I have the probe you mentioned)because this will be the coach's first Maine winter and I am sure it is set up for Tx. temps.

Dean - keep in mind the ambient temperature will be for inside the battery compartment.  Your coach, like ours, has the batteries buried way in the belly of the coach, behind a removable panel, and the temperatures in there will (likely) be warmer than real ambient/outdoor temps.

Michelle
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: Charging House Batteries

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Dean - keep in mind the ambient temperature will be for inside the battery compartment.  Your coach, like ours, has the batteries buried way in the belly of the coach, behind a removable panel, and the temperatures in there will (likely) be warmer than real ambient/outdoor temps.

Michelle
                    Thanks Michelle. I don't think it's an issue anyway because I found that we do have the battery temp. sensor if that's the one Brett was refering to.

          I am just going to scroll through the configure mode to try and get familiar with it and check the settings. Not going to change anything before doing some homework. I don't want to wake up to flames outside my bedroom later. :-[


                                      Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Charging House Batteries

Reply #7 –
I installed a 5 amp Battery Tender on the chassis battery. It seems to do a fine job of keeping the chassis batteries fully charged and at a reasonable float voltage. I use the Freedom 25 inverter/charger to maintain the charge on the house batteries.

The leveling system is usually on "Travel" or manual mode. The coach normally does not require adjustment after the level is set. It is parked where we see it every day and will notice if it lists. If it goes out of level while parked, there is a leak somewhere. We have leaks in the "main" air system that will bleed pressure to zero in a couple of days, but the leveling system holds pressure for weeks.

We are in a mild climate. We do not winterize. We leave the refrigerator on all the time. We set thermostats at 86F in summer or 45F in winter to keep the interior fresh and dry. The coach is ready to travel at any time.

To the best of my knowledge, the Freedom 25 charger has been turned on for most of 15 years. The original owner kept the coach plugged in and used it as a "man cave." We keep it plugged in also.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Charging House Batteries

Reply #8 –
                           I guess you all have convinced me to continue charging the house batt's with the invertor/charger. I did scroll through the battery/charger configure system and all looks good.

          So all winterized :-( (Splendide took some time) and I have put the air system into travel mode to save compressor run time. Also turned 12V switch at door off.

                  Last will be putting muffin tins with cottonballs soaked with Peppermint oil to keep the little furrys out. Works great on our boats.
            Hopefully I will be able to convince Dee to fire it back up in Feb. We have a new grandbaby coming in December so we will see.....

              Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Charging House Batteries

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Dean & Dee –
            Hopefully I will be able to convince Dee to fire it back up in Feb. We have a new grandbaby coming in December so we will see.....
All sounds good, Dean.

We bought a coach so we could comfortably travel to visit our grandchildren and children. For us, "winterizing" means packing the warm clothing and heading north for the Christmas/New Year holidays. With precautions and diligence, the FT has allowed us to be comfortable and safe in temperatures down to 0F.

Keep those batteries charged and ready to go!
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Charging House Batteries

Reply #10 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
All sounds good, Dean.

We bought a coach so we could comfortably travel to visit our grandchildren and children. For us, "winterizing" means packing the warm clothing and heading north for the Christmas/New Year holidays. With precautions and diligence, the FT has allowed us to be comfortable and safe in temperatures down to 0F.

Keep those batteries charged and ready to go!
                                Thanks J.D. In our case our expecting son and daughter in law live only 5 miles from us. Hence the hoping to convice "grammy" to leave for warmer climates. :D

                Dean

                         
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Charging House Batteries

Reply #11 –
I do not know which topic the inverter problems where on, but as I was reading them regarding the inability of the Xantrex units to be serviced I got to thinking that maybe I should e-mail the CEO of that company and let him know the feeling of members on this forum. I had an e-mail last week but he misread my notes to him so I replied correcting him. Here is his reply today.

Dear Mr. Haygarth

Thank you very much for your concern and your letter. I will admit that I have also read few complaints about our customer support. We are actively working to resolve our tech issues. I will forward your email to our Customer Support Manager to take appropriate actions.

I very much appreciate your brand loyalty because it is people like yourself who have made us successful.

Regards,


I doubt it will help us but at least he knows.
John H
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: Charging House Batteries

Reply #12 –
Dean,

You haven't said how old your batteries are.  I'd check the amps the inverter is putting out when the batteries are in "float" mode.  If it's a significant amount, I'd disconnect all the batteries and check the float voltage on each.  You may have one or more batteries dying, in which case all should be replaced.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Charging House Batteries

Reply #13 –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
Dean,

You haven't said how old your batteries are.  I'd check the amps the inverter is putting out when the batteries are in "float" mode.  If it's a significant amount, I'd disconnect all the batteries and check the float voltage on each.  You may have one or more batteries dying, in which case all should be replaced.
                                Brett, I don't know how old the batteries are but I have noticed one runs a bit warmer than the other. I have most of the p.o.'s receipts so I will see if I have one for the batt's. They are gel cells (2) so I am sure lifespan depends on how they were used and maintained.
                  I will check the amp's etc. as soon as it stops raining.

            Thanks, Dean

       
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Charging House Batteries

Reply #14 –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
Dean,

You haven't said how old your batteries are.  I'd check the amps the inverter is putting out when the batteries are in "float" mode.  If it's a significant amount, I'd disconnect all the batteries and check the float voltage on each.  You may have one or more batteries dying, in which case all should be replaced.
         

                                  Did some digging and found a reciept for new house batteries in Sept. of 2006. So they are obviously about 6 years old.
                The invertor/charger display in "ready" mode is reading 13.7 volts, +6 amps, 72F.
        Seems within reason to me but let me know if it's not.

                Dean

                 
           
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Charging House Batteries

Reply #15 –
Boost Mode (14.4V)
Normal Mode (13.6V)
Storage Mode (13.2V)
Equalizing Mode increases the charging voltage up to 14.4 volts for 15 minutes.

But these voltages are for a wet cell or AGM batteries.  Gel Cells require lower voltages.  You can usually adjust your coach's inverter converter/charger for the batteries that they are charging.

1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Charging House Batteries

Reply #16 –
The repair issue is one reason I went with a separate inverter and not an inverter/charger. I'd rather have just one thing at a time broken.

Craig

1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."
 

Re: Charging House Batteries

Reply #17 –
One common mistake made is to replace 1 battery in the string. Replace all batteries with identical batteries for a much happier battery system. Replacing 1in the string produces a different characteristic making the old batteries look like a problem.
Taking the cheap route is seldom. The most economical.
Cheers
Dave M