Battery question

Rebranded Schumacher, they don't give voltages or if temp compensated.
'AUTOMATIC CHARGING MODE: When a charge rate is selected, the
charger is set to perform an automatic charge. When an automatic charge
is performed, the charger switches to the maintain mode (see below)
automatically after the battery is charged.'
http://www.batterychargers.com/Documents/00-99-000909.pdf

Hi uintafly,

13.2 is golden. Keep on what you are doing. If that becomes a "chore" then add a modest solar system to keep the batteries topped up in storage.

uintafly wrote:
I kept it off and measured about 2 hours later and they both had dropped to 13.2. As of this morning they were both still at 13.2 volts.
Thanks again

red31 wrote:

uintafly wrote:
has a 2, 10 or 15 amp option and I don't know what to choose. Anyone know what exactly this option refers too? Does it even matter when it's just on the maintain function?

Thanks for advice

Automatic charger.
This option is for the initial charge rate of either 2,10 or 15 amps.
Once the batts get to 14.?v, the current declines as the batts are held at 14.?v. When the current is low enough the charger becomes a maintainer at 13.?v.

I wondered it this was probably the case.

I also purchased a multimeter on Saturday and have taken some measurements. On Saturday night both batteries were reading at 13.4 volts. On Sunday afternoon I took a measurement with the charger on and it showed 13.85. I turned off the charge and waited a minute or so and it dropped to 13.5. I kept it off and measured about 2 hours later and they both had dropped to 13.2. As of this morning they were both still at 13.2 volts. Does this seem normal? Earlier in the thread someone mentioned to make sure they stayed between 13.2-13.5, but they are definitely over that with the maintainer on.

Also, a few mentioned to just use the 30 amp from the trailer, but where I keep it parked in the winter would require me to run a 50 ft. extension cord to keep it plugged in.

Thanks again

What type of converter do you have. My PD9260 is 3 stage and I leave it on for extended time with out a problem. I have only had to add water to the batteries once in the last year. I also have a battery disconnect switch that I turn off if not plugged in for extended time to keep parasitic drains from pulling the batteries down.

uintafly wrote:
has a 2, 10 or 15 amp option and I don't know what to choose. Anyone know what exactly this option refers too? Does it even matter when it's just on the maintain function?

Thanks for advice

Automatic charger.
This option is for the initial charge rate of either 2,10 or 15 amps.
Once the batts get to 14.?v, the current declines as the batts are held at 14.?v. When the current is low enough the charger becomes a maintainer at 13.?v.

naturist wrote:
Checking voltage requires a voltmeter. I picked up a nice little one that plugs into a 12 volt cigarette lighter outlet, which my TT has next to the TV connections. It cost about $10 at an RV dealer. For about the same cost, you can get a fairly low-end VOM (aka volt-ohm meter) from Radio Shack which will also read voltage (among other things), although it's not as simple and convenient as the one that plugs into the cig lighter.

I'm sure that the plug-in meter works well for you but a hand-held meter has it's place in the tool box. It has more functionality and measures at the location, not through any switches, relays, or lengths of wire which can effect the accuracy of what's being measured. I think some folks shy away from buying a hand-held because they've never used one and are afraid of a steep learning curve or inability to using one. If you can't use a meter, you probably shouldn't be mucking around with electrical systems anyway. They are not that difficult to use.

Charger settings: 2 amp for maintenance use. You may want to disconnect the TT's 12v system from the batteries so that you're not powering up circuit boards and alarms.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
If you have access to plug in a portable charger than get a 30A to 15A adapter (50A to 30A also if you have 50A rig) and plug your trailer in to 110V AC power and let your converter maintain the batteries. That's what it does.

I have to agree with Old Biscuit on this. Plug in you camper and let the converter do its thing.

uintafly wrote:
My trailer came with 2 new 12v Interstate Batteries and I want to just keep them on my maintainer for the next 6 weeks or so. I have a question though. It's a Diehard brand 12 or 24 v charger with gel cell, standard or deep cell options. Those are obviously straight forward enough but it also has a 2, 10 or 15 amp option and I don't know what to choose. Anyone know what exactly this option refers too? Does it even matter when it's just on the maintain function?

Thanks for advice

Six weeks.. Standard, IS the maintainer a "Smart Device" or is this just a fully manual charger, If manual go with 2 amp and monitor voltages to insure you do not over charge al-la Magntek 6300

If smart you might go 10 for the first couple days then cut down.

Frankly.. I would consider a battery minder over that unit, OH, and put batteries in the same way they go into your RV and set charger to 12 volt.

If you have access to plug in a portable charger than get a 30A to 15A adapter (50A to 30A also if you have 50A rig) and plug your trailer in to 110V AC power and let your converter maintain the batteries. That's what it does.

Hi,

While you are at it, this is what is balanced and best for twin twelve volt batteries.



As it often doesn't cost a dime more to do this, I think it is worth the trouble.

If you wish to understand the "why" surf here:

correctly interconnecting multiple twelve volt batteries

Others may say it doesn't matter--but unless there is a compelling reason to not optimize charging and discharging why not do it the best possible way?