House Batteries

[goots]

We have a 2014 Sunseeker 3010DS, going on a 6 hrs trip tomorrow my House Batteries still have about 3/4 charge do I need to charge the House Batteries or will they charge as I keep driving on my trip going to Bullhead City, AZ. from San Diego, CA we last used the RV last weekend?

[johnnyrv]

Mich F wrote:

johnnyrv wrote:
our four winds only charges with shore power or generator. i think that is common in most class c

I believe most house batteries are also charged when the motor is running. If yours isn't, you probably have a problem.

thanks for the correction. glad to know the house battery is
charging while driving.

[Kit_Carson]

When my MH is going to be parked for any length of time (over the winter) I get the batteries fully charged then hook up a Battery Tender to them to keep them fully charged without boiling the water out. Of course, I unhook the negative cable to the house batteries before hooking up the Battery Tender.

[OFDPOS]

Mich F wrote:

johnnyrv wrote:
our four winds only charges with shore power or generator. i think that is common in most class c

I believe most house batteries are also charged when the motor is running. If yours isn't, you probably have a problem.

tenbear wrote;
My Four Winds charges the house battery when the engine is running. The house battery is connected to the chassis battery by a solenoid that is energized when the ignition is on.

Same with ours !
Mitch: you need to go back and red RoyB's post and check yours 😉

[tenbear]

My Four Winds charges the house battery when the engine is running. The house battery is connected to the chassis battery by a solenoid that is energized when the ignition is on.

[Mich_F]

johnnyrv wrote:
our four winds only charges with shore power or generator. i think that is common in most class c

I believe most house batteries are also charged when the motor is running. If yours isn't, you probably have a problem.

[johnnyrv]

our four winds only charges with shore power or generator. i think that is common in most class c

[tpi]

I'd also plug it in if possible-to make sure they're as topped off as possible. The charge rate trickles down to very slow as the batteries approach full charge. Although you will get substantial charging in 6 hours of travel.

The time to charge is when you return from a trip. You don't want batteries sitting around in a semi discharged state-worst thing you can do. Get em fully charged when you return and disconnect to prevent parasitic losses. Many RVs operate detectors and other parasitic loads even when batteries are disconnected via disconnect switch.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

It is better for the longevity of the battery bank to keep it as near 100% state of charge as is possible. I would plug in if it is easy to do, and let the converter work. That will let you cool down the fridge on 120 volt power, too.

[Bordercollie]

Get familiar with how the truck alternator, converter charger, house batteries and auxiliary battery switch etc., work together in typical operation of RV's to charge the house batteries. Most of RV appliances have controls that operate on DC battery voltage. Learn how to keep battery connections clean and battery electrolyte levels above the plates and how to check voltage and charging of batteries with a simple digital voltmeter. It'll help prevent problems while you are camping. If batteries etc., are in good condition, you may have power while camped, and not connected to "shore power", for up to three days. The batteries charge quickly while you are driving, they charge slowly when connected to shore power. ( Exception, some modern converter/chargers may have a faster recharge mode when batteries are low.)

[tenbear]

RoyB has said it all. Great advice.

[RoyB]

A good test is to use a MULTIMETER across the house battery terminals...

Without shore power hooked up or the MH engine running measure the DC VOLTAGE at the battery terminals. It will read 12.6-7VDC if the batteries are fully charged.

Then go start the MH engine. Measuring the DC VOLTAGE at the same battery terminals should jump to 13.6 or higher indicating they are being charged from the motor alternator system...

You can get one of these very useful multimeter from LOWES-WALMART-AMAZON or any number of auto parts stores for $5 to $20 dollars...

Looks like this google photo...


Most of us rv'ers carry one of these multimeters in our RV tool box...

Roy Ken

[Dusty_R]

Most all mh charge their batteries, both engine and coach/house, while the engine is running.
Have a good trip.

Dusty