Battery Equalization

As Designed, your Fleetwood DP will close the battery isolator relay when either battery bank reaches 13.3 volts. So yes an equalize will effect both battery banks.

Richard

It just goes to show people can do unknown harm to their expensive rigs just doing what they think is "OK" like battery equalization of the house batteries. I have not read in any of the manuals including the inverter/converter that equalizing the starter batteries is not recommended. Or anything about removing battery caps to stop your batteries from exploding during this process.

It's obvious you can't take the caps of the starter batteries as there aren't any. And most people won't disconnect them because they're a pain in the rear to get to.

Would it be so hard for manufactures to put a charger cutoff switch so only the the chassis batteries get charged when equalizing?

I would not equalize the engine battery. You may, or may not, do any damage, but it certainly is not necessary or recommended, and the potential to damage alternator diodes, or other critical engine components, far outweighs any possible benefit. Just my humble opinion and fifty+ years electrical experience.

Those readings are not bad if no charging for two weeks.

But, the more discharged they get in storage, the shorter their life.

I would not hesitate to equalize both banks. No, I would not do the starting batteries as often, but once in a while is a good idea.

wolfe10 wrote:
If your charger (or inverter/charger) charges both battery banks when in "normal" mode (bulk, absorption and float) it will certainly charge them in equalization mode.

So, you will need to verify that it does charge both banks.

With digital voltmeter:

Engine off, shore power off. Check chassis and house batteries voltage at the batteries. Fully charged is 12.7 VDC. Surface charge may have it above that, though turning on headlights with all charging devices off for a few minutes will dissipate the surface charge on the chassis batteries.

Plug in/start generator. If the chassis battery voltage goes from under 13 to 13.7-14.2, then yes the chassis batteries are being charged and equalization will also equalize them.

That is my concern. I thought only the deep cell batteries should be equalized, not the starting batteries as they aren't deep cell.

After charging every two weeks I get 6.26 on the house and 12.47 on the chassis. That's about 80% charge on the house and less on the chassis. I noticed my steps would not come out on the MH until the generator was started recently. Leaving me to think the voltage was not enough to operate them until charged more.

The last time I charged the batteries I ran the genny for 4 hours to give them a good charge. That was one week ago and the readings I took today are noted above. Just wondering if my batteries are getting weak. They are a 11/2 years old. The dealer allowed them to completely discharge ( house batteries) on their lot more then once, and the cummins dealer as well. Just thinking they might have caused some premature battery life. So the thought is run a equalization charge to give them some more life.

Just thinking the chassis batteries should not be charged this way?? Besides they don't have removable caps the allow the gasses to escape. Why have this feature on your motorhome if you can't use it without disconnecting the chassis batteries?

Be sure to vent the battery compartment. This can take several hours.

You got to be careful when you equalize your batteries. Manual recommends to be sure that power is turned off to sensitive boards which could be damaged by the high charge rate. I turn off everything inside the coach while equalizing the house batteries. I never have equalized the chassis batteries.

If your charger (or inverter/charger) charges both battery banks when in "normal" mode (bulk, absorption and float) it will certainly charge them in equalization mode.

So, you will need to verify that it does charge both banks.

With digital voltmeter:

Engine off, shore power off. Check chassis and house batteries voltage at the batteries. Fully charged is 12.7 VDC. Surface charge may have it above that, though turning on headlights with all charging devices off for a few minutes will dissipate the surface charge on the chassis batteries.

Plug in/start generator. If the chassis battery voltage goes from under 13 to 13.7-14.2, then yes the chassis batteries are being charged and equalization will also equalize them.

I don't know. But you can if you use a voltmeter.