Mind the Batteries

[Coelacanth]

Folks,
I have a buddy who has a Southwind. It has 2 6-volt batteries connected in series as house batteries. And, a 12-volt engine battery.
I want to get him battery chargers/minders for his birthday. I know he’ll need a 12-volt charger for the motor, but for the 2, 6-volt batteries in series...do I need to get him a 6 volt minder, or a 12 volt?

Best,
Jack

[NRALIFR]

I used to “Mind” my batteries, but after having two “Minders” STB (previously defined) and take the batteries with them, I no longer “Mind” them.

I “Tend” them, as in Battery Tender.

:):)

[older_fossil]

wa8yxm wrote:
I have been flamed for saying this but there are no SIX VOLT batteries in RV's.

Only 12 volt that have been split into two halves for easier handling.

To be very pedantic,everything is built from multiple battery cells. The chemistry of lead-acid batteries produces a voltage of about 2V. Internally all 12V batteries are constructed with six cells connected internally in series. 6V batteries only have three cells. Connecting two 6V batteries in series just gets you back to 6 cells x 2V.

Art

[Rick_Jay]

I believe "STB" = "Poop" The Bed (substitute Poop for it's censored equivalent) LOL

Coelacanth, you said he replaced the inverter and noticed his batteries weren't charging then. Is it possible he originally had an Inverter/Converter and he replaced it with just an Inverter? The Inverter turns the 12 VDC to 120VAC. The Converter takes 120VAC shorepower (or generator) and converts it to 12 VDC which charges the house batteries. The coach battery may or may not be charged from the Converter. If he replaced an inverter/converter (sometimes called inverter/charger) with a straight inverter, that's why his batteries are not charging when he is plugged in to shore power.

Good Luck,

~Rick

[PNW_Steve]

wa8yxm wrote:
I have been flamed for saying this but there are no SIX VOLT batteries in RV's.

Only 12 volt that have been split into two halves for easier handling.

So you use only 12 volt stuff. the two sixes, when hooked in series are roughly a 4D (that's a BIG 220 amp hour 12 volt battery)

Actually the converter in the RV should charge those just fine less it is a very old rig with a very old converter.

I have been using 6v GC-2's in my RV's for years. Outfitting my new one with L-16's.

IMHO: The group 27 "marine deep cycle" batteries that come in so many RV's are useless in this application.

[ArchHoagland]

Coelacanth wrote:
Yes, he did. But, he was having an issue with his batteries dying. Only to discover last month that his inverter had STB. He has replaced the inverter. I thought this might prove to be a redundancy. Just in case?

I carry a small charger but keep it stored and don't use it unless I'm having a problem.

For example the alternator went bad on my toad while we were in Florida so I would hook up the charger on it every night until we got back to California.

What is STB?

[pianotuna]

What is STB?

[Coelacanth]

Yes, he did. But, he was having an issue with his batteries dying. Only to discover last month that his inverter had STB. He has replaced the inverter. I thought this might prove to be a redundancy. Just in case?

[ArchHoagland]

Does he plug into power when not using the coach?

I assume you are getting him the charger for the times he's not using it.

[Coelacanth]

Will do.
Obviously you have more faith in his electrical ability than I might?

Jack

[wa8yxm]

I have been flamed for saying this but there are no SIX VOLT batteries in RV's.

Only 12 volt that have been split into two halves for easier handling.

So you use only 12 volt stuff. the two sixes, when hooked in series are roughly a 4D (that's a BIG 220 amp hour 12 volt battery)

Actually the converter in the RV should charge those just fine less it is a very old rig with a very old converter.

[Bill_Satellite]

Let the owner of the RV determine how to properly connect the battery minder. The only thing you need to know is that a 12V system is what is required.

[pianotuna]

X2 on the Trik-L-Start

[time2roll]

Why not just plug in the RV and use the on board charging system?
If that does not charge the chassis battery you can get him a Trik-L-Start combiner.

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

Otherwise you want the 12v minder. Probably one for each battery (house + chassis).

[Coelacanth]

Ok, so for the 2, 6-volt batteries in series...hook to the (-) terminal on one and the (+) terminal of the second?

Jack