trickel charge for start batteries

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trickel charge for start batteries

October 27, 2020, 12:17:23 am

I have a 95 U320,I was wondering has anyone just hooked up a trickle charge to the 3 start batteries to keep them topped off.
If I have to use the boost to start my rig,,, my inverter blinks and seems to be on real low on charge. I have to start my gen and run it to get things back on track, and all the while my light on my inverter blinks my toilet valve just keeps opening and closing until I disconnect the fuse
Any suggestions will help
Rick Maddox
rlmlimited@comcast.net
509-939-0740

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #1 – October 27, 2020, 06:11:48 am

Many of us use various trickle chargers,would get at least 6 amps for 3 batteries.In regards to the rest of your question,if you have power to run a trickle charger your house charger should be charging the house batteries,are they in good shape?Which inverter/charger do you have and are you sure the alternator is in good working condition?

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #2 – October 27, 2020, 09:46:22 am

Search on the forum:
"trik-l-start"
"trik-l-charge"
"triklstart"

Mega TRIK-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer

AMP-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer - Overview Page

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #3 – October 27, 2020, 10:29:11 am

I use a knock off trickle charger at two amps. I tie the 6 house and 3 engine batteries together at the dash lighter plugs but the two amps keeps both at 13.2 to 13.6 volts.

Pierce

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #4 – October 27, 2020, 11:12:50 am

Trickle start. It is awesome!
Very small, 10 amp charge, awesome

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #5 – October 27, 2020, 11:47:33 am

I just turn on the boost swt. when connected to shore power. House charger will maintain both start and house batteries. I do turn off the 12 volt swt. at the door so door bell button light is not on all the time.

Pat,

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #6 – October 27, 2020, 11:51:08 am

We have Hong Kong Freight (Harbor freight) $20.00 cheapo one plugged into the block heater plug, and hard wired to the batt's It's always on when coach is plugged in.

Have a digital read out USB plug in the cig light at the dash that is connected to the engine batts.

Love looking at the green light through the back vents.

Watch the USB every time I go in the coach.

Chris

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #7 – October 27, 2020, 12:34:17 pm

Our LEDs while connected to shore power at home plus lighter plug to lighter plug battery equalizer.

Pierce

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #8 – October 27, 2020, 01:23:55 pm

I use a trickle charger but also have a dedicated solar panel for start batteries. It is only 7 amps but has been working like a charm for umteen years, summer and winter.
JohnH

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #9 – October 27, 2020, 07:34:51 pm

This is for pthurman48. That will work but if you loose electricity you can end up with all batteries dead.

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #10 – October 27, 2020, 07:51:19 pm

To add to above,and no way to start generator.

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #11 – October 27, 2020, 07:56:08 pm

Quote from: pthurman48 – October 27, 2020, 11:47:33 am

I just turn on the boost swt. when connected to shore power. House charger will maintain both start and house batteries. I do turn off the 12 volt swt. at the door so door bell button light is not on all the time.

Pat,

If you lose shore power, you will not only flatten both sets of batteries, but if for more than a few hours, cost yourself thousands of battery dollars.

Pierce

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #12 – November 09, 2020, 05:38:29 pm

how do i check if altenator is chargeing properly and if the inverter /charger is working properly on the voltage on the dash it only gets up to 11 volts 93 grandvilla cummings thanks for your help trying to learn how the system works

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #13 – November 09, 2020, 05:39:13 pm

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #14 – November 09, 2020, 05:54:51 pm

Buy a DIGITAL VOLT METER (start under $20 at box stores, auto parts stores, etc).

Check connections on both battery banks are clean and tight.

Take readings at both HOUSE and CHASSIS batteries. Compare chassis battery readings with dash gauge reading. Tell us what you get.

Plug into shore power and recheck both banks. Tell us what you get on each battery bank.

Unplug from shore power, start the engine and raise RPM to around 1,100. Take readings at both HOUSE and CHASSIS batteries. Tell us what you get.

THEN we can give you advice based on the FACTS.

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #15 – November 09, 2020, 05:58:39 pm

great thank, you just got dark ,will check tomorrow i had 12.5 at house and start batteries, will follow the balance of directions and let you know tomorrow thanks, so much

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #16 – November 09, 2020, 06:13:21 pm

I hope it was "mister sun" who got dark, not the coach electrical system!

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #17 – November 09, 2020, 06:28:18 pm

dragnet

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #18 – November 10, 2020, 05:08:38 pm

yes sun light brett, i dont get in till later i work on electric material handling equipment just not familar with coach chargeing systems it will be this weekend when i can go thur these steps , the guy i bought this from said he had the altenator rebuilt so this tells me he had a issue i have new house batteries and removed coach batteries cleaned all checked water cleaned corrosion but still shows 11 volts so i will follow the protcall you suggest and see were we are thank you for all you do, keith williams

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #19 – November 10, 2020, 06:05:40 pm

Quote from: krwinfla – November 10, 2020, 05:08:38 pm

the guy i bought this from said he had the altenator rebuilt so this tells me he had a issue

Keith,

Do you have any idea how long ago he had the alternator rebuilt? OEM your coach has a DUVAC system. If the alternator was rebuild to go on a dump truck rather than a RV with 2 battery banks and an isolator (DUVAC system) then that may be part of your problem.

Mike

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #20 – November 10, 2020, 08:35:38 pm

I use my U240 and if I don't I check on things almost daily. In Lufkin,TX I don't lose electricity for more than a few hours., and that is not often.
Pat,

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #21 – November 14, 2020, 03:19:52 pm

Quote from: krwinfla – November 09, 2020, 05:38:29 pm

how do i check if altenator is chargeing properly and if the inverter /charger is working properly on the voltage on the dash it only gets up to 11 volts 93 grandvilla cummings thanks for your help trying to learn how the system works

oki checked house battries sitting with every thing off 11.7 sane with start batteries i start unit up wjth engine and start battries stay the sane the house battries jumps to 16.7 volts no change to start batteries new in may water good no corrosion cleaned well set meter on pos and neg on alt running i show 19.5 v iam un able to connect to shore power at home any thoughts thank you keith williams 94 grand villa u225 cummings

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #22 – November 14, 2020, 03:45:06 pm

Boost switch in "ON"or "CHARGE" position?

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #23 – November 14, 2020, 03:53:21 pm

not sure about the rebuild , it was in may prior to purchase i cleaned very well all connections even on inverter ,start batteries ane ne not running battries house and start were 11.7 volts i started and house went to 16.7 volts and stare battries un changed amp gauge is at 11.7 ish i put meter to the pos and ned off alt ahd reads 19.5 volts shut off and house battries and up 12.8 start un changed iam unable to connect to shore power at home any thoughts thank for your help keith

Re: trickel charge for start batteries

Reply #24 – November 14, 2020, 04:29:20 pm

16.7 is too high of voltage.

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