Forum Discussion

ggrotz's avatar
ggrotz
Explorer
May 09, 2020

inverter/charger

I bought a 2005 safari 36 ft.it has a xantrex freedom 458 series.will this charge the starting battery for the motor
  • The 458 inverter charger is only hooked up to charge the HOUSE batteries. You can run a jumper across to the CHASSIS battery so that they are also charged but remember you have a "boost" switch to start you engine if the chassis battery is dead. You can also use a separate 120 VAC charger to keep your chassis battery charged if you are using shore power.
  • It will if your chassis battery has a connection. Either way check the battery voltage when plugged in to verify. You can add a Trik-L-Start combiner if needed.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    ggrotz wrote:
    I bought a 2005 safari 36 ft.it has a xantrex freedom 458 series.will this charge the starting battery for the motor


    An old joke has to do with three groups of men being asked "Briefs or boxers?

    As I recall the young men said "Briefs"
    The older "Boxers"
    and the elderly "Depends"

    and that last is the answer to your question "Depends"

    Many motor homes made in 2005 have one way isolators. Engine charges everything House only the house

    Mine, also a 2005 has a BIRD type system by Intelletec Engine charges both. So does House.

    Only way to find out is to measure voltages 13 is the key MORE than 13 volts after a few hours of sitting plugged into shore power = YES 12.6 or less = NO
  • 2oldman wrote:
    get a voltmeter


    Actually, on a 15 year old motorhome where a previous owner MAY have added "something" to charge the chassis batteries (several good options), checking with a digital voltmeter IS the best way to determine if shore power/generator does charge the chassis batteries.
  • New to RV and bought Tiffin 33 and was surprised when I winterized it, and found out the charger only charges house not chassis batteries. This forum pointed me to the Trik-L-Start option. For $50? or so, it took me about 10-min to hook up and fixed the issue. Simple unit keeps both batteries topped off perfectly with 15/20 amp connection.
  • I have a 2013 Tiffin Allegro and it is not set up for the inverter/charger to charge the chassis battery. Why do you need to charge your chassis battery. Are you going to store and be away from it for more than 2 months? If so and , a trik-L charger or like item will be need, if not already installed.