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Topic: Charging engine battery during storage (Read 806 times) previous topic - next topic

Charging engine battery during storage

In the fall Motorcader Tech. Support article it states you should turn the boost switch on once a week to charge engine batteries.  It doesn't say how long they should charge, I know it would be determined by the state of charge of the batteries.  Assuming they are fully charged when parked what would be a reasonable time to charge?
Also, while I leave my coach plugged in, should I turn the battery switch for the coach off during down periods?
I would like to see someone knowledgeable on the inverter and charger to write a summary of operation and best practice article for those of us not familiar with this. ( It may already exist, but I haven't found it). 
While I can get by I would like a more complete understanding of operation and correct use.

Thanks,
Jerry
Jerry & Nanci
1999 U270 34'WTFI
2011 Malibu
A smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows when to say it.

Re: Charging engine battery during storage

Reply #1 –
I keep the coach plugged to 50A when it is parked. I leave the "master" 12V turned on. For most of two years, I left the Boost switch on all the time. There seemed to be no harm, but many have suggested temporary use of the boost switch. In your case, I would suggest leaving the Boost switch on for about five hours at a time if you use it once a week.

I now have a Battery Tender to maintain the chassis battery when parked. It is a 5A multi-stage "smart" charger that operates when 120VAC is available. Other have applied other solutions to maintaining the chassis battery. A search on the forum for "chassis battery" will provide a great starting point for finding a lot of information and opinions about maintenance of the chassis batteries.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Charging engine battery during storage

Reply #2 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
I keep the coach plugged to 50A when it is parked. I leave the "master" 12V turned on. For most of two years, I left the Boost switch on all the time. There seemed to be no harm, but many have suggested temporary use of the boost switch. In your case, I would suggest leaving the Boost switch on for about five hours at a time if you use it once a week.

I now have a Battery Tender to maintain the chassis battery when parked. It is a 5A multi-stage "smart" charger that operates when 120VAC is available. Other have applied other solutions to maintaining the chassis battery. A search on the forum for "chassis battery" will provide a great starting point for finding a lot of information and opinions about maintenance of the chassis batteries.
We use a Trik L Start to maintain the engine batteries. TRIK-L-START that way I never have to think about it.
Previous thoughts on leaving the Boost switch on to long. Float Voltage
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Charging engine battery during storage

Reply #3 –
I have a battery tender plugged into the ac receptacle for the engine block heater, which is unplugged (I have never needed it).

Works for me.
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: Charging engine battery during storage

Reply #4 –
This is what I am trying this year.  I figure the less I use the inverter, charger, leveling system and air pump the better.  The coach is parked in a rented garage in Tucson.  I only plug it in for 24 hours about every two weeks.  The rest of the time I leave the 110V unplugged and I disconnect the house batteries.  I do have a Trik-LStark wired in so the engine batteries get some charge when the AC is on.  I have the air bags at max since I am working on the coach, but I keep an eye on them to make sure one or more does not leak down.  So far so good.
The selected media item is not currently available.
George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: Charging engine battery during storage

Reply #5 –
Is Battery Tender charger adjust charge voltage for battery temperatures and does it float at the recommended voltages. Sealed AGM or GEL batteries can be damaged by too high charge voltages.

I contacted Battery Tender manufacturer asking the same question and they told me their charger is "temperature compensated" which does not measure battery temp or adjust for different battery temps. Their "temperature compensated" means the power supply works in hot or cold climates. Probably the words are included in their marketing info to confuse and imply claims that are not true.

We use Trik-L-Start to keep our start battery charged. It charges start bank from house bank. High-tech battery chargers keep house bank correctly charged & floated at different temps, so start batteries are usually charged correctly.
TRIK-L-START

Re: Charging engine battery during storage

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Is Battery Tender charger adjust charge voltage for battery temperatures and does it float at the recommended voltages. Sealed AGM or GEL batteries can be damaged by too high charge voltages.
If you visit the Battery Tender site, you will have as much information as I have. The current float voltage on my chassis batteries is 13.35V. Charging is from the Battery Tender. Ambient temperature is about 70F. Float voltage on the chassis batteries is 13.55V according to the Link 2000 panel. Charging is from a Freedom 25. All batteries are AGM.

 I've used the 1 amp Battery Tenders on my motorcycles for several years. I installed a 5 amp Battery Tender to maintain the two group 34 AGM chassis batteries on the Foretravel.

My experience with Battery Tenders has been good. I recently replaced the original equipment AGM battery on my 2006 Goldwing motorcycle. It was beginning to sound a bit weak. I figure more than six years life for a battery on a motorcycle is remarkably good.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX
 

Re: Charging engine battery during storage

Reply #7 –
When I installed the battery tender, I first mode sure the battery was fully charged, then connected the battery tender and measured the (float) voltage at the battery terminals. It was well within the battery manufacturer's specs. This was four years ago, and the batteries are still alive and well.
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