Keeping ones starting battery charged.
I have to share this valuable information from Joel at LSL Products concerning the Trik-l-Start and the AMP-l-Start: On Apr 8, 2014, at 6:48 PM, LSL Products wrote: Hi, Kathy - Thanks for your...
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If you are going to leave your MH for an extended period of time you can simply disconnect your starting battery. If it is to be parked in cold country remove the battery and store at a reasonable temp in a dry environment. A trickle charge as needed every couple of months while probably not essential, couldn't hurt. Chargers (with a trickle function), can be had for very little money, less than $20 at Harbor Freight.
The time it takes to charge any battery is a function of a number of variables. Battery age, condition, the type of charger, temperature etc., all impact the time needed and the percent of charge imparted. Most quality MH's come with converters that have smart 3 stage charging in the 45 to 55 amp range which will easily recharge a typical house bank in a couple of hours. if you have added additional batteries to the standard house bank adding a larger charger or some solar would be prudent.
If you drive more than a few hours and arrive with less than a full house bank your electrical system needs work. The high output alternators found on most MH's are quite capable of recharging a bank that is putting out very little while underway.
As I noted in a followup to my original post I had not considered all of the folks who are stuck back east with there rigs stored for the extended winter. I can see where the Trik L product might be of value to them but properly storing the battery seems simpler.
While we use our rig every month, usually more than once, typically for a week or more at a time, when I was recovering from surgery it sat for several months. I turned off the house bank and walked away and it fired right up, just like it is suppose to with no further attention. Every vehicle should be capable of doing the same. There were undoubtedly parasitic draws, the stereo, security system and perhaps even the Scan Gauge but their consumption is so minuscule as not to be an issue.
:C
The time it takes to charge any battery is a function of a number of variables. Battery age, condition, the type of charger, temperature etc., all impact the time needed and the percent of charge imparted. Most quality MH's come with converters that have smart 3 stage charging in the 45 to 55 amp range which will easily recharge a typical house bank in a couple of hours. if you have added additional batteries to the standard house bank adding a larger charger or some solar would be prudent.
If you drive more than a few hours and arrive with less than a full house bank your electrical system needs work. The high output alternators found on most MH's are quite capable of recharging a bank that is putting out very little while underway.
As I noted in a followup to my original post I had not considered all of the folks who are stuck back east with there rigs stored for the extended winter. I can see where the Trik L product might be of value to them but properly storing the battery seems simpler.
While we use our rig every month, usually more than once, typically for a week or more at a time, when I was recovering from surgery it sat for several months. I turned off the house bank and walked away and it fired right up, just like it is suppose to with no further attention. Every vehicle should be capable of doing the same. There were undoubtedly parasitic draws, the stereo, security system and perhaps even the Scan Gauge but their consumption is so minuscule as not to be an issue.
:C
