Charging question

[MagillaGorilla]

I have an 05 HR Admiral. Does the chassis battery charge when the gen set is on? I ask this because it is now in winter hibernation and I run the gen set once a month to keep everything charged. What I don't know is if I am only charging the house batteries or if I am charging everything.

[kdk]

No, the chassis batteries are not charged while on shore power on your unit, but you can purchase a upgraded circuit board that will do it. If I remember correctly the board cost around $85. The issue with this fix is that the boost relay was used as the connection to tie the house and chassis batteries together. It works but I didn't like the idea of having this (Trombetta) relay energized all the time as it gets quite warm and is right under my bed room. The real solution is to buy a "amp-l-start" from LSL Products (around $60), simple installation and problem solved. This has now worked good for me for 9 years; Blessings Keith

[rgatijnet1]

As far as I know, the generator ONLY powers your inverter/charge which actually does the battery charging of the house batteries only. To charge your chassis batteries, just run a separate portable battery charger from any 120 volt outlet.

[Sam_Spade]

toolttime wrote:
No they don't.That's why there is a booster switch in case they go dead

Please be a bit more specific.

What is "they" and exactly what don't they do ??

Quoting a little bit of the post that you are replying to would be REALLY helpful.

[toolttime]

No they don't.That's why there is a booster switch in case they go dead

[Sam_Spade]

Bobbo wrote:
Every rig is wired differently. You will have to check yours to see.

And then do the same thing with the house batteries and the "truck" engine. Mine was supposed to charge in that direction.....but wasn't because of a bad relay (solenoid).

[Bobbo]

Every rig is wired differently. You will have to check yours to see. Before you plug in to shore power (or turn on the generator), use a DVM (multimeter/VOM) to check the voltage at the chassis battery. Now plug in shore power and re-check the voltage. If it goes up from 12.? to 13.? or 14.? it is being charged. If it stays 12.?, it is not being charged.

[DSDP_Don]

Let me restate what I said. In 2005, Monaco did not charge the chassis batteries from at least the Diplomat line on down, when the generator was running.

[Macktee]

My 04 Dynasty does charge all batteries when plugged in to shore power or when operating the genset. Macktee

[DSDP_Don]

"Magilla"......In 2005, at least with the their diesel pushers, Monaco did NOT charge the chassis battery(s) when the generator was running or when on shore power. They only charge when the engine is running.

You would need either the Trik-L-Start, Zantrex or Magnum system that attaches to both battery banks and charges the chassis battery(s) when plugged into shore power or the generator is running.

[xctraveler]

Tiffin generator/shore power does NOT directly charge the chassis battery. Tiffin provides a trickle charger in the engine electric bay to maintain the engine battery when on shore power. Not real sure about on the generator.

I pull the fuse to the trickle charger when storing without shore power so that the electrics of the charger won't draw the battery down.

[Tom_Barb]

My Automatic transfer switch will provide power from either entry point (external or genet) to the same buss which provides power to the inverter /converter to the house systems and charge the house battery. When the house Battery is 1 volt above the chassis battery the intelic brain box will close the relay connecting the house battery bank to the two chassis batteries.

So Yes, mine will charge both battery sets. but not all coaches are wired the same, but your coach owners manual should tell you.

[MountainAir05]

Mine charges all battery if on Shore/engine/gen running. Some don't.

[RoyB]

Good use for a digital multimeter... It should read 12.6-7VDC across the battery terminals when it is just sitting there if fully charged. When you start up the generator then it should read 13.6 VDC (or more) across the battery terminal. This will tell you it is getting charge voltage...

Roy ken

[Sam_Spade]

Most common setup:
With the "truck" engine running, ALL the batteries charge some.
With the gen or shore power, only the coach batteries charge.
A multi-meter is pretty much required equipment for an RV'er.

My monthly storage routine is to run the truck and gen each separately, each for 15 to 20 minutes to get them thoroughly hot. I run the A/C to provide a load to each one.....and to dehumidify things a bit.