Trickle Charging Chassis battery
I am new to everything in our new (used Tiffin 33aa) coach, but am learning fast. I just learned the battery charger is only connected to house batteries, not chassis batteries. I have power connected...
Forum Discussion
Grit dog wrote:
^ Ah, I getcha now.
You're say IF the OP's rig has a solenoid that links the hose batteries to the start batteries he can wire the charger up to charge/maintain both at the same time.
That sounds simple and clever.
Almost. The Trik-L-Start only charges the chassis battery. It takes current from the house battery, which is being charged full time by the converter/charger. Essentially, it just forwards a little current from the converter/charger to the chassis battery.
Grid dog wrote:
I'm not familiar with big RVs like this but would ASSume that the house batteries are already linked to charge from the alternator when the engine is running?
Yes
Grit dog wrote:
If they are then there may be a simple way to reverse that so the existing charger can power both sets of batteries.
If not, an automatic charging relay can be added where it links the batteries as soon as 1 side or the other see's charging power (>13.5 V or something) and then disconnects the link when it senses power below 12V to prevent discharge of both sides.
Blue Seas ACR is what i used in the boat for this.
The Trik-L-Start kind of does that, but only allows current to flow one way. The alternator charging the house batteries takes care of current flow the other way. Except for not being bi-directional, it does exactly what you are suggesting.
