Battery

bill257 wrote:
I am in Maryland and we do get some snow and below freezing temperatures.

Drew nailed it.
A fully charged battery will not freeze until something like -40 or -50 F so no worry there.
If it is old and weak, that temp goes up somewhat.

I am in Maryland and we do get some snow and below freezing temperatures.

bill257 wrote:
My problem is that I do not have shore power at storage.I need to get my chassis and house batteries keep charged during winter months.Any suggestions.

Where are you located during these winter months? If it's cold weather during the winter months (as in freezing, snow, ice, that sort of thing), charge the batteries fully and disconnect them completely and leave them out in the cold and they will be okay over the winter. The rate of self-discharge is very much dependent on temperature; at freezing temperatures, it's quite low. A few months of winter are gentler on the batteries than a couple of weeks of 90 degree weather in terms of self-discharge.

j-d wrote:
With the ordinary isolation relay most of us have, the engine's alternator will charge the house battery on the road. But charging house battery on shore tie will not charge the engine battery.

I think it might depend on the model. I know the 2018-2019 FR Sunseekers charge all batteries when plugged in or driven.
Maybe some models are starting to use that BIRD type technology that you mentioned. They are using a PD4000 converter as well.

j-d wrote:
Solar Panels on the RV, or set up near the RV and connected to it.

Or, Take the Batteries home with you and maintain them there while the RV hibernates.

IF.....your batteries are healthy and you can fully charge them just before storage.....NEITHER of those things are really necessary.

Just disconnect them and reconnect in the spring. Wet cell batteries should last 3 months easy; if not, they are not "healthy". AGMs should be good for 6 months at least.

Solar Panels on the RV, or set up near the RV and connected to it. Or, Take the Batteries home with you and maintain them there while the RV hibernates.

BIRD won't help with your problem if you can neither (1) run Road Engine to charge both Chassis and House, nor (2) run power to the RV to use Converter/Charger, add a BIRD, or use common trickle chargers.

My problem is that I do not have shore power at storage.I need to get my chassis and house batteries keep charged during winter months.Any suggestions.

bill257 wrote:
How can we install BIRD.It seems need to be installed by a professional.

Bill,

The answer to that depends on "what is your skill level".

After looking at the installation instructions, THAT is when you can decide if this is within your capability or not.

For me to tell you whether it is within MY skill level, that of the average shade tree mechanic, etc is of no value to you.

bill257 wrote:
How can we install BIRD.It seems need to be installed by a professional.

I looked at their installation instructions and it didn't seem too bad. If you already have an isolation relay (and you almost certainly do) most of the needed wiring is already there.

You want the BIRD Gas with Aux Start

With the ordinary isolation relay most of us have, the engine's alternator will charge the house battery on the road. But charging house battery on shore tie will not charge the engine battery.

With BIRD, when engine battery is being charged, house will be charged also, like now. BIRD charges engine battery when house is being charged. You still have AUX start which lets you give yourself a jump start by connecting house battery to engine battery at the push of a button. Most isolation relay systems provide that capability as well.

How can we install BIRD.It seems need to be installed by a professional.