Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator) (Read 763 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from New isolator

Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Question, When using shore power for extended periods is it a good idea to use the Boost Switch to combine batteries for a automatic charge of both?
1988  40' Grand Villa Cat 3208t

Re: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #1 –
Quote from: NancyS –
Question, When using shore power for extended periods is it a good idea to use the Boost Switch to combine batteries for a automatic charge of both?

It is better to have a smarter charger than the Boost switch (especially because if you were to lose power and run down your house batteries, with the Boost on you would also run down your chassis batteries).

Some use a device like the Trik-l-start.  Some use a separate charger.  There is also a third device which escapes me now.

Lots of previous discussion, a number of existing threads on this.  Possibly search on the words battery and storage together.
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: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #2 –
We use the Optima red-tops for the motor with Optima's Model 400 charger/maintainer....Works great
OPTIMA® Battery Chargers |OPTIMA® Digital 400 and Digital 1200 12V Performanc...

Routed the controller to the bed frame.

John
John and Stacey Smith
Motorcade NO: 11973
1997 U295 CSGI 40'..Build No. 5036     
920 Watts on the roof..CAT Power w/fuel Inj. Programmer
2021 GMC Sierra AT4 1500
EX..2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Ex 1990 U280 RSAI 36'..Build No. 3638

Re: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #3 –
Battery minder is popular as dedicated charger. Echo charger is similar to trim-l-start
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #4 –
This is just me......but I disconnect the ground from the start battery and don't worry about it.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #5 –
And just me... I use the boost switch and don't worry about it.

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #6 –
The simplest, best, never worry about it system for me is a separate solar panel for start batteries. All you need is 70 watts or so and the simple controller sits on the below bed wall. Never think about it and engine starts fast all the time.
JohnH
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: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #7 –
If we are some where for a long time a small battery minder works well and will not over charge our batteries. 2 amps per battery is usually enough to get them to float pretty quick. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #8 –
I close the boost solenoid when I'm in the coach and open it when I leave or go to bed. As previously mentioned, I don't want the cranking batteries to run down if there's a power failure and I'm not here to notice. I have very low electric load so I doubt that could happen. I modified my voltmeter so it's on all the time and added another voltmeter to the coach batteries so I can see the voltage readings change between the two of them when I close the boost solenoid... It's like a little operation test each time if I watch the gauges as I flip the switch ...Oh hey, and I bought a hundred of those little indicator bulbs for ten bucks on the internet cuz I was burning one out every few months, so now I have enough bulbs to last me two lifetimes at this rate :)
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #9 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
The simplest, best, never worry about it system for me is a separate solar panel for start batteries.
What happens when you park under a big tree, or under a cover, or in a barn, or in the event of Nuclear Winter?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #10 –
A solar panel would be challenged in the coach barn.  But it really takes very little over time to bring the start batteries to float state. If you have been driving for any length of time they should be pretty well charged up and all the solar panel is doing keeping them topped up. It is a good idea if you are out where the sun can do its part.  On our coach a week or two with no charger in the start batteries is not an issue. Still plenty of poop to pop. My start batteries are at 12.84 v after three days with no charger.  Another week or more to droop to 12.7 or so.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #11 –
True, ours is outdoors so forgot that- sorry. But if you do the solar panel as well as another type you have it all covered.
It was a very busy week working with Barry on his coach and maybe I can use that for my lapse of mind??
JohnH
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: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #12 –
John, it was all that fiberglassing and painting. That'll kill brain cells faster than anything. Thanks for being a good neighbor to Barry.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #13 –
maybe it was, but the 6 packs did much damage to my arms etc. All cut up trying to get into those stupid locations. FT of course puts them in before dropping body on top of frame, not much thought of servicing in future, but I did learn how to rebuild them for when I do mine!
JohnH
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: Boost switch and storage (split from Re: New isolator)

Reply #14 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
maybe it was, but the 6 packs did much damage to my arms etc. All cut up trying to get into those stupid locations. FT of course puts them in before dropping body on top of frame, not much thought of servicing in future, but I did learn how to rebuild them for when I do mine!
JohnH
Sorry, John, I thought of something else when you'd said  the 6 packs did damage to your arms. My bad.
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk