Battery questions
I have read a lot of information online, but I'm finding it so confusing, and everyone says something different lol. We don't want anything fancy, we just want to know the best method for charging/us...
Forum Discussion
naemsmommy wrote:
Thanks everyone. It looks like we'll have to pick up a few more things. To answer the questions:
1. Probably 95% dry camping, occasionally shore powered.
2. Parallax Tower Components, model 7345
3. Yes, we have a generator.
4. 2 weeks
5. I think it's portable? I don't know how to tell. It does have a controller.
6. No
7. Stored at home.
8. We have a smart charger (6a/4a/2a), so from what I understand, we can set it to 6a and when the battery is charged, it will automatically switch to a 2a trickle charge. It's this one: http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/motomaster-eliminator-intelligent-battery-charger-6a-4a-2a-0111517p.html#.VafT-_mM6Yw
9. No
You stated that you've had ongoing problems with batteries. I suspect with your camping profile the reason is inadequate solar & battery charger.
The solar, if permanently mounted to the roof of the coach, is not portable. I'll assume since it's only 70 watts, that you set it up each time you want to use it. The solar wattage you have is not much better than a trickle charger.
If budget is a consideration & you've already decided to add a second battery, I'd recommend a higher capacity smart battery charger & run it directly from the generator to the batteries for 3-4 hours daily. Refer to the chart & don't let the batteries get below 12.2 volts. A decent charger would be a Black & Decker VEC1093DBD or similar.
Obtain a volt meter, Trimetrics are nice, but all you really need is something like THIS
Install a Blue Seas battery disconnect switch & use it when in storage. have the batteries close to 100% SOC to start with & connect the "trickle" charger on it during that time, that will work fine.
PS: Definitely read what gbopp posted
