How to charge batteries

[smprfi237]

I'm a first timer on the RV circuit. I have a class A motor home with four 6 volt batteries tied in series. These are the house batteries. What type of charger/maintainer should I get to keep these things up to par? Anyone have this issue? Thanks for any input.

[lanerd]

smprfi237 wrote:
I now have it plugged in to shore line.. Had to purchase step downs from 50 to 110. Thanks to all for your advise. 😜

Huh? Not sure what you are talking about here....need to be a little more specific. 50 is usually an "amp" figure, whereas 110 is usually a "volt" figure. Step downs? Again, confusing. Maybe you are referring to adapters that will allow you to plug into a 50amp outlet with a 30amp cord. Not sure.

And we are giving advice...but we will advise you in the future.

Ron

[smprfi237]

I now have it plugged in to shore line.. Had to purchase step downs from 50 to 110. Thanks to all for your advise. 😜

[lanerd]

Ok, I seriously doubt if your 93 Monaco has a 3-stage converter/charger so it probably won't keep your batteries at a full charge. However, most that age, the previous owners have replaced the old style single stage with the newer three stage. Can you give us the make and model of your converter?

All rv's have small amounts of electrical drain on the batteries...even when the disconnect switch is turned off. The only true way to eliminate this is to disconnect the ground cable connection.

If your batteries drain "real fast", then I would assume that your converter/charger isn't charging at all. You need to check the voltage at the batteries' + and - terminals (where the cables going to the coach are connected) to find out. If you are plugged into shore power and if the charger is working, the voltage will read 14+ volts if charging or 13.4 if the charger is in float mode. If you read 12.6 or less, the charger isn't working.

Let us know what voltage readings you find.

Ron

[wny_pat1]

smprfi237 wrote:
and for some reason it sucks the batts dry real fast.

You probably need new batteries. Most likely, the only time the chassis (starter) batteries get charged is when the engine is running. Thus the need for the Trik-L-Start. Monaco did have some type of starter battery charging system, but it may have died in your case.

[smprfi237]

Thank you Ron. I have a 1993 Monaco Crown Royal diesel pusher and for some reason it sucks the batts dry real fast.

[lanerd]

As mentioned, anytime you need an answer to a question about your new mh, you really need to let us know exactly what mh you have...year, make, model....as not all are made equally.

Also as mentioned, if your mh is fairly new (year wise) your converter/charger should keep your 4 house 6v batteries charged while plugged into shore power and from the engines alternator when driving.

Charging the chassis batteries while on shore power may or may not be done with the converter/charger....some do, some don't. A Trik-l-start will take care of this problem if yours doesn't.

Hope this helps

Ron

[gss036]

Most class "A"s do not charge the chassis batteries, just the house batteries. I have 4, 6 volt and they work very well. I also use a battery tender to keep the chassis battery charged. I will probable get an Ultra Trik-L-Start before long, it hooks up to the house batteries and keeps the chassis battery charged. The tender needs to plugged into 110volt and that is a hassle,especially if dry camping. Nothing like getting ready to leave and find a dead chassis battery.

[MrWizard]

year make model of RV ?

look at the DC fuse panel, or any papers you got with the RV
look for the make model of the 'converter' , the battery charging system

like it was said
you have a 12v system, (2) 6v in series make (1) 12v battery
the 12v pairs are wired parallel
electrically it works as ONE big 12v battery

you might not need a separate charger If you have a good converter
but a black & decker 40amp smart charger is a good model
many users have one as an auxiliary charger

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

They're probably connected in a combination series/parallel so that you get 12-volt DC output.

If so, they amount to one really big 12-volt battery, and you would charge/maintain them like any other 12-volt battery.

I like BatteryMinder for maintaining a charged battery; others like Battery Tender. Or, your coach's converter, if it's 3-stage, may do a perfectly good job of both charging and maintaining.

Wayne

[2oldman]

smprfi237 wrote:
four 6 volt batteries tied in series.

If that's true then you need a 24v charger. There's isn't a charger (converter) already there?