Recommended Battery Charger ?

Topic: Recommended Battery Charger ? (Read 2371 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #50 – November 25, 2010, 03:05:31 pm

Carl,
Let me attempt to answer your question. I have a '91 U300 and I think it came with the same setup as your U280. You coach has a battery converter that is completely independent of the inverter. Many of the previous comments refer to newer model coaches with sophisticated Inverter/charger units with computerized controls. Your converter has no controls (it's on when the coach is plugged in) and your inverter has two switches: "ON/OFF" and "microwave/outlets". The term converter just means it takes 120VAC and converts it into a fixed (13.5) VDC output - it can be thought of as a simple single stage charger.

Here's what I think your options are:
Option 1: Leave your coach plugged in and turn on the boost switch. This is the OEM solution. (other have already pointed out the pros/cons of this)

Option 2: Leave your coach plugged in, boost switch off and use an aftermarket device like "Trik-L-Start". You can think if it as a "smart" boost switch. For engine cranking you still need to switch on the boost switch (when desired or necessary).

Option 3: Leave your coach plugged in with the boost switch off and install a maintenance charger directly to the chassis battery. This charger is completely independent of the house battery converter. "Maintenance" is the key word here when shopping for one.

I'd like to make one more suggestion: For storage, plug your converter through a heavy duty vacation timer set for one hour a day (Brett Wolf suggested this in his earlier posts). Converters seem to have a tendency to over charge batteries when they are plugged in long term. The converter is mounted to the ceiling in the battery bay compartment and plugged into an outlet on the ceiling as well. It's fairly easy to get to this outlet to install a vacation timer. Use a reminder note on the dash when it's time to bring it out of storage. By the way, on option 3, if you use a non-maintenance charger you could put it on a timer as well to prevent overcharging.

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #51 – November 25, 2010, 07:10:47 pm

Dave,

I agree with you-- parasitic load is a better term than phantom load.

But when you Google phantom load, this is one of the first hits: A phantom load is the electricity consumed by an appliance or electrical device when it is not actively being used or is in the "off" mode. Although these devices, or "power vampires" appear to be off, they continue to draw electricity from outlets to keep their circuits instantly ready for the next time they are turned on. Power vampires only consume a few watts when not in use, but throughout a day and over an entire year, a few watts can add up to almost 20% of a home's power.

Whatever we call it, there are loads that do draw down a battery unless completely disconnected.

Your solution of a separate charger for the chassis battery is an excellent one with one caveat-- that the separate charger is a quality charger that will maintain the proper voltage. Way too many choose an inexpensive charger for this and end up burning up their chassis batteries. Heck when I had wet cell batteries, I used a little 6 amp Sears "automatic" charger to equalize them. Once batteries were fully charged, that little "automatic" charger would drive voltage up over 15 VDC very quickly. Never did figure out what part of that charger was "automatic".

Brett

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #52 – November 25, 2010, 07:34:56 pm

Another question - my inverter says it's a Freedom 20 Heart Interface Inverter. Googling it some of the sites are that, others are "Xantrex Freedom 20 Inverter. Was there a buyout somewhere along the line or is mine in fact a Xantrex in 1996?

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #53 – November 25, 2010, 07:54:26 pm

Gayland,

Yes, Xantrex is the "parent company". Sorry, I don't know when they acquired Freedom/Heart.

I did pull out a Freedom Installation Guide for the Freedom 10/15/20/25 I have dated 11/96 and there is no mention of Xantrex, so I suspect it was after that date.

Brett

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #54 – November 25, 2010, 09:34:36 pm

Well, I hope everyone had a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving, and after reading all the posts on this topic I now can say that I have a MUCH better understanding of all the different concepts and new vs old(er) coaches. I have a fear of having the coach plugged in full time and having the boost switch on so I don't think I'm going to do that. I do fear just a bit, about leaving the coach plugged in for months at a time and burning up the house batteries.

Can someone tell me that my 91 set up will shut off charge on it's own?

I think I personally like the idea of the Trik l start IF leaving my coach plugged in won't fry my house batteries.

Be it frugal or just tight, I'm thinking about buying 5 for the discount they offer, keeping one and selling the other 4 on Ebay for about $5 less than if sold seperatly and getting mine for free. ......I think that may be what I've decided, I'm just not sure about letting go of $50+ or taking the time to sell the other 4.

I want you all to know that I REALLY appreciate each and every one of you

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #55 – November 25, 2010, 09:40:44 pm

Carl,

Even if you break even on the purchase of 5, what you will save in aggravation and or depleted batteries has to be a plus for you. And with the Trik-L-Start in place you will have more peace of mind. Who knows. Maybe someone here will buy one or two of those from you. I am going to suggest to someone that they contact you about this.

We are all here to help each other. Happy Holidays. Enjoy Michigan. When it snows it is beautiful.

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #56 – November 25, 2010, 10:01:02 pm

Quote from: Carl Sandel – November 25, 2010, 09:34:36 pm

Can someone tell me that my 91 set up will shut off charge on it's own?

Carl,

Unless you have owned the coach since new, I would not ASSUME that the original converter is in there.

Post the make and model number and one of us may have specific information on your converter (or inverter/charger or whatever you have).

Very few OE 20 year old converters were "smart". By smart I mean the three stage chargers found in newer units. The three stages (Bulk, absorption and float) allowed full voltage charging, but tapers off voltage once fully charged so they don't overcharge the batteries.

Another way you can check it (as far as being OK to leave plugged in 24/7) is to check voltage at the battery with a digital voltmeter. If voltage after being plugged in for a few days is 13.2-13.5 VDC you are OK. If higher, it will likely overcharge your batteries.

Least expensive solution for keeping the coach plugged in 24/7 for an older "not-smart" converter is to go to Home Depot, etc and get a HD timer. Plug the converter into the timer and let it run an hour a day. Batteries stay charged, but not overcharged.

I went a different route, replacing my old "not-smart" converter with a modern 3 stage charger (Xantrex Truecharge 40+ with temperature sensor and remote panel). BTW, it independently charges both battery banks, so no "alternate method" is needed to charge the chassis batteries.

Brett

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #57 – November 25, 2010, 11:54:46 pm

Carl,
I think best to get someone who knows what a converter looks like, to crawl into that compartment and go looking for it to see exactly what is installed in your rig! Until then, you can assume that it will not shut off by itself!

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #58 – November 26, 2010, 12:17:02 am

I will get the manuals in the morning and then confirm that those items are either still in operation or have been replaced, then I'll report back

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #59 – November 26, 2010, 07:26:54 am

Dave, I used a separate charger on my last two coaches but this one has the start batteries in an inaccessible location. In some model years they are burried house batteries. Mine is a burried start battery.

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #60 – November 26, 2010, 07:32:40 am

For example on my 93 the previous owner had installed a Progressive Dynamics 80amp smart charger with the Charge Wizard. This was installed in the area immediately forward of the connection bay where the angled water tank is. On my year the two 8Ds were installed in a vertical rack of the small bay aft of the driver's side of the rear axle...

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #61 – November 26, 2010, 03:10:19 pm

Ok, now that I look at the pics I took and thought I was getting good info...I may not have gotten enough. We have a PACS 1500 Inverter and something called an Intel Power 9100 Mod. PD9180, I don't know what that is. Does either of these items help determine my option or am I looking for something else?

BTW, IT IS GETTING COLD IN N. MICH. BBRRRRR

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #62 – November 26, 2010, 03:44:15 pm

That's a Progressive Dynamics 80 amp model.
http://www.progressivedyn.com/prod_details/rv_conv/rv_converter_pd9180a_2.html 9200 series are the cats meow...
http://www.progressivedyn.com/power_converters_9200.html
Add the charge wizard

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #63 – November 26, 2010, 05:31:18 pm

So is that a good thing? Are you saying that the 9200 is what I have although the box says 9100?
I thought I seen in the link you posted that the 9200 has a built in wizard. Just asking so I know I understand what I have.

Also I have a Vanner Battery Isolator Mod. 50-140 I might also add that it and the wires connecting to the other electrical items like regulator and ?? switch or ? are all pretty nasty looking in my opinion and could use a good removal and cleaning with a shot of Corrosion X

So please let me know if I have a "smart" system and need no more than to pluc in to AC for winter storage or I need the HD timer or Trik l start.

Going out for some good local pizza...back soon

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #64 – November 26, 2010, 09:10:33 pm

You have a 9100 series (a 9180).

Quote

use a good removal and cleaning with a shot of Corrosion X

So please let me know if I have a "smart" system and need no more than to pluc in to AC for winter storage or I need the HD timer or Trik l start.

Going out for some good local pizza...back soon

Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #65 – November 27, 2010, 12:05:21 am

Here is the charge wizard: http://www.bestconverter.com/Charge-Wizard-Flooded-AGM_p_15.html It plugs in. Very simple, but talks the charger thru what is is suppose to do. Turns your extremely good converter/charger into a smart charger.

You might already have one plugged in. Don't know why they wouldn't have added it. The plug is just like a telephone plug.

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #66 – November 27, 2010, 12:09:44 am

NICE !!!

WELL FOLKS.......IT LOOKS LIKE WE GOT OURSELVES A WINNER !! YES?

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #67 – November 27, 2010, 09:01:25 am

Looks like the money saved on this vs. the Trik-L-Start will pay for last nights pizza.

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #68 – November 27, 2010, 10:15:02 am

So does this close this post?
Is that all I do is buy the Wizard add-on, plug it in and plug the coach into the regular AC outlet and let her go?

I sure hope that's it and it's the right answer.......it sure sounds right....for what I have.

and last night's 18" pizza was $29.....JUST the pizza, BUT is was mighty tasty

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #69 – November 27, 2010, 10:19:19 am

Quote from: George Stoltz – November 27, 2010, 09:01:25 am

Looks like the money saved on this vs. the Trik-L-Start will pay for last nights pizza.

George,

In a word, NO.

This addresses ONE of the issues-- having a converter that properly charges the house battery bank (i.e. turning his original one stage converter into a smart 3 stage converter).

It does nothing to address charging of the chassis battery. Said another way, he is running no additional wires-- so whichever batteries his converter charged before adding the charge wizard will the the same ones he charges after adding it.

Brett

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #70 – November 27, 2010, 02:16:37 pm

I really am trying to follow this and am ready to do what ever will be the smartest choice, but I feel like I'm on a roller coaster.

Is there a simple and one time solution?

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #71 – November 27, 2010, 02:29:00 pm

Carl,

You are addressing two unrelated issues, so you need two solutions.

1. Charge your batteries with a smart converter/charger-- if your present converter will interface with the charge wizard, this is the least expensive solution. A smart converter/charger will fully charge the batteries in shorter generator run time AND will then taper off the voltage so the batteries are not overcharged when left plugged in 24/7.

2. Charge the chassis as well as house battery banks. Least expensive solution is a Trik L Start. A quality smart stand-alone charger is another option, but will be more expensive.

The only "one solution fixes both issues" is to buy and wire a very expensive charger (which is what I did)-- like the Xantrex Tru-Charge 40+ that is set up to independently charge up to three battery banks at the same time.

Brett

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #72 – November 27, 2010, 03:24:33 pm

Sure. Buy they 9100 series charge wizard and install it in 30 seconds along with the Trik L Start, which installs in 5 minutes. You now have a smart charger that will keep all your batteries charged up. Total $75.00 plus shipping.

Progressive Dynamics Intelli-Power and Gel batteries!

Reply #73 – December 01, 2010, 02:27:35 pm

I hate to throw a curve ball into this mess, but reference the Progressive Dynamics Intell-Power 9100 and 9200 coverters. If you are charging gel batteries, with the 9100 converter, you need to run a PD9105GV TCMS Charge Wizard which is special for the gel batteries. The PD9105 TCMS Charge Wizard is for lead acid batteries.

On the 9200 converter for gel batteries, you need to open the unit and add a jumper shunt. I am waiting for a e-mail from then concerning this and will update this post as soon as I get it. Was told that it is a easy fix.

Update:
"GEL CELL JUMPER FOR A PD9200
DISCONNECT FROM SHORE POWER To disable gel charging:
REMOVE BLACK JUMPER FROM THE TALL WHITE (LOOKS LIKE A CHAIR) 2 PIN MODULE

To enable gel charging:
ADD JUMPER TO THE TALL WHITE (LOOKS LIKE A CHAIR) 2 PIN MODULE YOU MIGHT HAVE TO REMOVE THE FAN GUARD TO DO THIS EXTERNALLY on the 9260 or the 9280 on the 9245 it is on the end with the fuses . (for the 9270, use the 9260 or the 9280 instructions.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103807 Radio Shack Jumper"

The attachment that they sent me included pics, but it just showed which side the fan was on for the different converters. If you want pics you will have to ask them for the instructions. You have what I was given minus the pics.

Re: Recommended Battery Charger ?

Reply #74 – December 01, 2010, 07:32:49 pm

Good point Pat but I do have acid batteries. Thanks for mentioning it .

Affiliate Notice