Battery boost button

[Janss]

Suppose I am staying at an RV park for a few weeks. My engine battery powers my slides and is only charged by driving (or running in place). I need to retract the large slide sometimes due to wind (so topper doesn't tear). In order not to run the engine battery down, would it be okay to hold down the battery boost button while running the slide in/out, so that my house batteries can boost the engine battery as it runs the slide? I know I can always start the engine and run it for awhile. But this other idea seems even easier.

[AllenT1946]

Thanks Rich,
I found the blown fuse and replaced it. Now when I push the boost button the relay clicks , like it is supposed to. Now I have an excuse to go on a trip to see if it keeps the house batteries charged.:)

[Pauljdav]

Mandalay Parr wrote:
The answer to your question is Yes, it is OK.

X2 the answer is YES.

[RJsfishin]

AllenT1946 wrote:
Also ( sorry for changing the subject) but is there a way to charge the house batteries from the alternator while driving?

The house batteries should charge from the alternator. If they don't, look for a blown fuse, or a bad solenoid that connects the battery banks together when the ignition switch is turned on..

[AllenT1946]

mena661
What is a battery isolater and what does it do?

[mena661]

AllenT1946 wrote:
I don't know about everyone elses rigs, but mine won't let me opperate the slides with the key on. So putting the slide in or out with the motor running is not a posability. Also ( sorry for changing the subject) but is there a way to charge the house batteries from the alternator while driving?

My rig operates the same way. Engine has to be off to use the slide. You can install a battery isolater.

[AllenT1946]

I don't know about everyone elses rigs, but mine won't let me opperate the slides with the key on. So putting the slide in or out with the motor running is not a posability. Also ( sorry for changing the subject) but is there a way to charge the house batteries from the alternator while driving?

[Janss]

My manual definitely does not say to run the engine while operating slides or levelers. As I read through the troubleshooting page, though, it does say that if the slides are not operating, try holding down the battery boost button while powering the slides, because the engine battery might be dead 🙂

I'm not currently having any problem. Just wanted to know if that battery boost button could be used while operating the slide several times during a few weeks stay at one place. So thank you all who directly answered my question.

And thank you to all who offered suggestions. I have read about the Trik-L-Start previously in this forum, and will probably add that to my motorhome when I return home after the summer. I'm not a do-it-yourselfer in this arena, so would rather have an RV tech that I know install it.

[Clay_L]

Janss wrote:
Suppose I am staying at an RV park for a few weeks. My engine battery powers my slides and is only charged by driving (or running in place). I need to retract the large slide sometimes due to wind (so topper doesn't tear). In order not to run the engine battery down, would it be okay to hold down the battery boost button while running the slide in/out, so that my house batteries can boost the engine battery as it runs the slide? I know I can always start the engine and run it for awhile. But this other idea seems even easier.

You might want to check your manual. Mine says to run the engine while operating the slides or levelers.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

IMO

Not only OK but "recommended" to push the button when retracting the slide.

[wa8yxm]

Janss wrote:
Engine battery does not get charged from being plugged in, nor from running generator....only gets charged from actually running engine.

There are two products

Trick-L-Start
Echo Charger (From Xantrex)

near as I can tell from reading about 'em they both do the same job, the Xantrex product is more expensive.

Simple 3 wire hookup

One wire to the HOUSe side of the isolator
One to the CHASSIS side
one to Ground

Adds the missing function to the isolator, (Charges engine battery off the house charger when house batteries are full up)

[ksg5000]

If it were me I would start the engine - or purchase Trik L Start.

[rk911]

Janss wrote:
Suppose I am staying at an RV park for a few weeks. My engine battery powers my slides and is only charged by driving (or running in place). I need to retract the large slide sometimes due to wind (so topper doesn't tear). In order not to run the engine battery down, would it be okay to hold down the battery boost button while running the slide in/out, so that my house batteries can boost the engine battery as it runs the slide? I know I can always start the engine and run it for awhile. But this other idea seems even easier.

yes, it's ok but unnecessary. your starting battery should not run down simply by running the slides out and back in. but to give you some peace of mind just leave the engine running when you run the slides out and re-start the engine before bringing them back in.

or...add a trik-l-start battery charger. this will keep your starting battery charged when your RV is plugged into shore power.

[I_am_still_wayn]

Janss wrote:
Engine battery does not get charged from being plugged in, nor from running generator....only gets charged from actually running engine.

Not necessarily an absolute truth. The coach could be wired to do this very thing!

[Dusty_R]

We have an Itasca Spirt. When parked for a few weeks, plugged in to shore power, the engine battery needs to be charged once in a while, so I block that boost button on with a pencil to charge it.
So yes that will work just fine.

Dusty