Anybody use a battery minder?

[Goldencrazy]

I have a gas winnebago Vista 2012 with batteries under the entry steps. How do you hook up the battery minder and plug in so stairs are not impacted?

[time2roll]

Goldencrazy wrote:
Thanks for the info. I think it is trickle start I want. I plug in but would like my chassis battery to hold its charge.

If you are already plugged in get a Trik-L-Start combiner to keep the chassis battery up.
Fully automatic, just three wires to connect.

http://www.lslproducts.net/TLSPage.html

[crasster]

They are great! I've "brought back" many batteries with them.

[Clay_L]

Since we are full timers we are often parked and connected to shore power for several months. The engine battery will discharge in about three weeks so I have used a BatteryMinder on my engine battery for about 10 years.

According to their tech support it can be left connected when the engine is running. The starting voltage transients will not hurt it nor will the alternator charging voltage of about 14.4 volts (the BatteryMinder output float voltage is about 13.2 volts). I haven't disconnected mine in years and it works fine.

[rondeb]

We had a system installed that now charges the house battery and the cab battery while plugged in or driving. I'm not sure what it is, but you could call Chad at Truline RV in Spokane Valley and ask him. Just ask him what system he installed in the Winnebago Sightseer RV.

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

old guy wrote:
I use one, use one on every thing I own that has a battery in it.

+1

Light years ahead of ordinary trickle chargers, IMO.

Wayne

[Bumpyroad]

having both chassis and house batteries is why I use a marine type of charger/maintainer with two separate outputs.
bumpy

[Goldencrazy]

Thanks for the info. I think it is trickle start I want. I plug in but would like my chassis battery to hold its charge.

[rumrunnerxx]

I use one for the Chassis battery and one for both 6 volt house batteries. On the 6 volt house batteries I use the clips and for the Chassis battery I use the 12 volt accessary outlet inside the MH. Like "old guy" says, I use one on every thing I store with a battery in it.

[old_guy]

I use one, use one on every thing I own that has a battery in it.

[alkillion]

In my previous RV, the battery compartment under the steps was open to the outside. I hooked up a pigtail to the battery and let it dangle out the bottom. When it was time to hook up, just reached up and grab the pigtail and plug in.

Now the question, which battery are you worried about, the chassis (motor) battery or the house battery?

I leave my RV plugged into shore power most of the time so my house batteries stay charged. My motor battery used to run down over several weeks so I used a battery tender. THEN I installed a Trik-L-Start and have never worried about it again.

Good Luck

[Bumpyroad]

assuming that a "battery minder" is a low powered charger to maintain the battery/s under storage conditions, I hooked up two of the 30 amp MinnKota trolling motor connectors with them hanging out under the closed battery step cover and would plug the charger in to those.
bumpy

[DSDP_Don]

Goldencrazy.....The Battery Minder usually comes with two sets of connectors. One set has alligator clips for quick connecting and the other set has two crimped on lugs that bolt to the battery terminals. Both sets of connectors have a quick connect on the other end that plugs into the Battery Minder cord. Use the set that has the bolt on connectors, bolt them on and then run the quick connect cable to a convenient spot where you can plug/connect the Battery Minder when in storage.

You could route the cable under the coach where it hangs down beside the steps or run it up into a cabinet inside where you can protect the Battery Minder while it's in use.

If you do add on the charger, it will work more efficiently if the positive cable is connected to one battery and the negative cable is connected to the other battery.

Here's the cable you need to use.