What I learned about maintaining batteries while boondocking

BFL13 wrote:
If 14.4 is the upper safe limit then please inform Trojan Battery (and others) that their specified charging voltage of 14.8 is unsafe.

Also note that 14.8 is at 77F. At 35F the equivalent voltage is 15.2, which is of course, over 15.

To achieve these correct voltages, you will need an adjustable voltage charger, or have temperature compensation. The standard RV converter can't do them.

Thanks for those numbers, BFL. My Black and Decker smart charger charges at 15 volts for a few minutes in its regular charging cycle. And in its desulphate treatment I think it goes a little higher. I have run desulphate on a battery in my daughter's car but I think I disconnected it from the car. Will make sure next time. The regular cycle seems to do no harm though I have never left the fridge on when using it on the RV.

To whoever is looking for a good reasonably priced DC clampmeter, I suggest this $30 UNI-T, which works very well for me. I was impressed right away when I found it's voltage range was very accurately calibrated (I checked with a voltage standard reference). Accuracy in current measurement diminishes with current and it is not very useful below a quarter amp but I expect that applies to all clampmeters. When buying a clamp meter read very carefully to make sure it can measure DC current - some say AC/DC meaning the voltage feature. Look for the term "Hall Effect", which they use to measure DC current or details of the measurement ranges as in this description.
Clampmeter on ebay

I also am a big fan of the battery monitor with Amp hour counting and continuous display of battery % of full charge. I have been happy with the 25 amp version of this cheapo monitor: Battery monitor on ebay

At these prices you can have a clampmeter AND a battery monitor.