How do I know if my RV has a 3 stage charger?
I just bought a used RV and I'm going through the checklists. I see many recommend a 3 stage charger. How can I tell if mine is one? What do I look for? My trailer specs are in my signature, in cas...
Forum Discussion
Even if you have a smart charger you need to check your battery(s) periodically. Overcharging will boil out the water but sitting in a hot battery compartment in 110 heat seems to do the same. Do not trust the smart charger check monthly. Like everything else on an RV, they require some maintenance.
I went 5 months one summer using a $30 Harbor Freight car charger when my converter quit. The batteries did not seem to suffer (2x6V Golf carts) and I would likely still be using it but I got tired of running the extra extension cord to the battery compartment at each stop. One good thing is it kept me looking into the battery compartment and noticing if the posts were corroded or moisture was around the caps.
So to answer the question about does a regular charger ruin batteries I would have to say NO. If you neglect to check the batteries that is what ruins them quicker than a charger. IMHO
I went 5 months one summer using a $30 Harbor Freight car charger when my converter quit. The batteries did not seem to suffer (2x6V Golf carts) and I would likely still be using it but I got tired of running the extra extension cord to the battery compartment at each stop. One good thing is it kept me looking into the battery compartment and noticing if the posts were corroded or moisture was around the caps.
So to answer the question about does a regular charger ruin batteries I would have to say NO. If you neglect to check the batteries that is what ruins them quicker than a charger. IMHO
