Newbie questions- battery charger, battery, etc.

Plug the trailer into a 120VAC outlet and let the converter charger do its job. Check battery water level every month or so during the off season.

The 12 Volt Side of life.

Print this and keep it next to your voltmeter.

When connected to shore power the on board converter will charge/maintain charge on camper batteries

When driving the truck alternator will help maintain camper battery

When off the grid......need to have generator or solar panels to recharge camper battery (NO.....running truck will not do it)

What brand and model of converter do you have?

Chandne wrote:
Do you guys have any recommendations?

I thought we already went through this in this recent discussion. Maybe re-read that thread? :h

Thanks guys! I'll print out that diagram. I am not sure of the stock converter since the trailer is back in the shop. I assume that is what you're referring to, westend...what is on the trailer. In the winter, I will likely take the battery off and keep it charged/maintained in the garage or something, as long as it isn't in the house.

SoundGuy- I was referring to specific types of trickle chargers or higher-amp chargers for winter maintenance or simply to bring batteries up to full charge (let's say overnight) while not on the trailer. I was reading that some people could not get batteries fully charged by trickle chargers when the battery was too drained. They had to use higher-amp chargers that were faster as well. So I was not sure if I needed one lower-amp (.75-1.0) and one higher-amp (3-10?) charger.

You only need one maintenance charger. If you get a small one then yes plug the RV in 8+ hours to give a charge before you set the battery on the maintainer.

Using a larger 5+ amp maintenance charger is fine also.

I would avoid low cost trickle chargers. Get quality such a Battery Minder or Battery Tender brands.

Add a modest solar system.

I bought a $5 Battery maintainer on eBay. The wires to power and battery had to be replaced because the insulation cracked in cold weather. It has 1 amp maximum and actually charges a battery given enough time but then the current is virtually zero and the voltage rises over 15 volts, which makes me fear for the thousand dollar vehicle computer. Got a $15 one at a local auto store which has voltage regulation to a max of 13.6 volts, half an amp. I think this is a good maintainer but it would take days to charge a battery discharged half way.

Check the voltage provided to the battery by your converter. If only 13.6 V it is just doing what my $15 maintainer does. A good one charges at 14.4 to 14.8, then drops to 13.6 to maintain.

X2 on the solar. I put a 100 watt Renogy kit on our small Motorhome and that keeps the batteries always over 80% when boondocking for a week in summer. We have modest electricity needs with no inverter or TV, Of course always 100% charged at home. Solar charge controllers typically provide the 14.8 v for optimum charging.

I didn't know what was going on before getting a battery monitor and the first pair of batteries didn't last very long - the voltage chart for battery charge level only works several hours after charging has stopped. This cheapo monitor displays the % of full charge all the time by counting amp-hours going in and out of the batteries. eBay $30 battery monitor
It is a little hard to install; a little electrical knowledge and skill with wires is necessary.

time2roll wrote:
The 12 Volt Side of life.

Print this and keep it next to your voltmeter.

Take some of what is stated in the 12 Volt Side Of Life with a grain of salt.