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Topic: Start battery drain (Read 1228 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Start battery drain

Reply #25 –
I was put going to put in a charger and then I found out about Amp-L-Start and Trik-L-Start and just installed the Amp-L-Start and it works great and simple to install.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Start battery drain

Reply #26 –
With a total discharge my 30 amp crossover charger blew a fuse trying to charge the engine batteries.

No indicator shows this. 

Same with trick l charge

My guru gave up,on them and now uses a full amp combining relay like the new coaches use.

Can tske full 130 amp current

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Start battery drain

Reply #27 –
Thanks for this useful discussion.  However, this talk is limited to a plugged-in condition.  We don't do much of that except when home.  I am not happy to learn that I have been abusing my Boost Solenoid all these years.  Additionally, perhaps I have ascribed abilities to the Boost Switch circuitry that it does not deserve.

Four years ago, I added 400 watts of solar charging from panels on the roof.  (Brought the cable in and down that hollow wooden post behind the driver's seat.  Installed the controller on the wall between this post and the driver's window.  Then continued down the wooden post, through the floor, to the Coach batteries.)  I ASSUMED that by selecting the Boost ON, the Isolator would charge the battery-bank that needed charging the most.  Thus, bouncing back and forth between the Start and the Coach banks, to bring up both banks as needed in a "stair-step" progression.  Now I wonder about the validity of that idea.  (But it does sound nifty....  The "bouncing back and forth"was the saleman's explanation of the Boost switch function.)

Have noticed that Start batteries were always lower voltage when parked inside and not plugged in.  This has me considering a cutoff switch (also a theft deterrent perhaps) for the Start batteries.  The Trick-L charging thingy would solve (most) of my concerns when parked at home or a campground.

My U270 came with two start batteries.  The storage area for start batteries was large enough to hold a third.  I reasoned, an additional battery and a couple of cables are much cheaper than a starter.  So, when it was time to renew the Start batteries, I installed three.

Carolyn and Lewis (Andy1) Anderson
1996 U270 36'
 

Re: Start battery drain

Reply #28 –
Quote from: jor –
I also recommend the TriklStart. Cheap and effective. I think your setup is the same as mine. You can mount it right in front of the isolator. Easy hookup to the isolator.
jor

Same setup.  Worked well so far for about 5 years.

Jerry
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Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"