'Echo Charger' or 'Amp-L-Start' ?

I use the Magnum Energy battery combiner which is a direct replacement for and "Echo Charger". While this was standard equipment on our coach the Magnum was a great replacement when the original died.

Magnum

These are great, easy to install and IMHO vastly superior to a seperate stand alone charger.

Never heard of the AMP-l-Start but have the Trick-L-Start (NOTE not proper spelling as I recall)

And the Echo Charger... Biggest difference seems to be price.

As to putting in a dedicated 3-stage charger for the chassis....

No need to open hood or string cables save during install.. Just like the house hook it directly to the battery.. or to a handy connection point away from the battery (How I'd do it) and plug it in , 3-stage converters like a small progressive Dynamics 9200 are designed to remain hooked up full time, no need to disconnect though you MIGHT wish to remove 120vac before starting engine.

bukzin wrote:
I have read details on both the Echo Charge and the Amp L Start add-on units.

Seems both are good at what they do. With my set up which might be better and why?

Both are good. Probably only need the smaller Trik-L-Start and save the $$$.

Gang,
When I installed the NAPA charger I spoke of, I installed it permenantly, inside the compartment, at the foot of our bed. I cut the plug off and, ran the A/C wires to an open 110VAC breaker, on the panel, about two feet away. Then, I ran the D/C charge leads through the bulk head, through proper grommets etc. right over to the appropriate terminals on the chassis batteries.

Now, if and when I ever need to disconnect that charger, for any reason, all I have to do is, flip the breaker on the panel, at the foot of the bed. Done! As for "dual" charging of the chassis batteries, both the alternator/voltage regulator on the big CAT engine, and, that NAPA battery charger know what state the chassis batteries are in and, both will "cut back" on the charge rate when the batteries are topped off.

I have checked that situation when the wife was driving and, the chassis batteries are sitting at 13.2, and we did have the 7.5 Diesel Onan running at that time. So, there was no over charging taking place, because both charging units were active at the same time. Hope this helps.
Scott

Golden_HVAC wrote:

harley-dave wrote:
I did the separate charge for a while and got tired of hauling it out, having the hood unlatched, cords etc. so changed to the trik-L-start. Works great, and wasn't really difficult to install. I leave the charger at home now. Only time it gets used is occasionally at the storage facility.

Dave

You can take a 'portable' charger, install it in the basement, then connect one lead to the ground, and run another to the chassis battery. Install a 20 amp fuse near the battery, and you have a perminate set up, plug it into a nearby basement storage receptacle, and you are done. No need to think about it anymore.

In my motorhome, I ran a #12 wire from the house battery charger to the coach battery, with fuses at both ends, and a switch that I can turn on from the drivers seat, so that I can charge it once in a while if needed.

Fred.

I agree with above, but I think if you run your generator while traveling and your converter (or inverter) charges your coach battery then you will be charging from two different sources at the same time. The battery charger may compensate for this, but I don't know for sure. (Maybe someone can comment on this as I would like to know.) I've been thinking of installing the same battery charger setup, and I have a TV cutout relay to use to disconnect the battery charger when the ignition is on to eliminate the possibility of dual charging.

Fred (the other Fred) :)

harley-dave wrote:
I did the separate charge for a while and got tired of hauling it out, having the hood unlatched, cords etc. so changed to the trik-L-start. Works great, and wasn't really difficult to install. I leave the charger at home now. Only time it gets used is occasionally at the storage facility.

Dave

You can take a 'portable' charger, install it in the basement, then connect one lead to the ground, and run another to the chassis battery. Install a 20 amp fuse near the battery, and you have a perminate set up, plug it into a nearby basement storage receptacle, and you are done. No need to think about it anymore.

In my motorhome, I ran a #12 wire from the house battery charger to the coach battery, with fuses at both ends, and a switch that I can turn on from the drivers seat, so that I can charge it once in a while if needed.

Fred.

I did the separate charge for a while and got tired of hauling it out, having the hood unlatched, cords etc. so changed to the trik-L-start. Works great, and wasn't really difficult to install. I leave the charger at home now. Only time it gets used is occasionally at the storage facility.

Dave

buskin,
Well Sir, there's a few schools of thought on this. While most would advise you to install the Amp-L-Start, and, it's not a bad choice, I would prefer and did, install a stand-alone, three stage NAPA charger, specifically for the chassis batteries. I can never remember what the model number was/is but, it does all three stages, if and when needed but, mostly it stays on the trickle stage.

But, the Trik-L-Start and, the Amp-L-Start are good units and serve the purpose of keeping the chassis batteries up. I just wanted an "independent" charging source for mine. It's a preference thing. I just like the fact that the two systems are not tied to each other or, depend on each other, like those two do. No biggie. The Trik-L-Start and the Amp-L-Start are both real easy to install. Good luck.
Scott