Leonandlisa
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Joined 18 years ago
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Re: Added DC to DC charger, starting batteries don't charge
3 tons wrote: You don’t say how new your vehicle is -not familiar with Renogy but iyour vehicle may have a ‘Smart’ alternator, that requires a compatible dc to dc converter. 3 tons I have a 2004 Coachmen 40 ft, caterpillar 3126 diesel, freightliner chassis and a magnum charger inverter. When I added the dc to dc charger it isolated the starting batteries too, which I didn't catch during install, I found out when my starting batteries were dead and then I realized I was missing something in the design, which the device above should take care of that for me.409Views0likes0CommentsAdded DC to DC charger, starting batteries don't charge
So I will try to keep this short, I upgraded to lithium batteries, but from extra research I could see an issue with hurting my alternator so I added the Renogy 40 amp DC to DC charger to limit how much the alternator can push to the house batteries. So not thinking it through this also isolates the starting battereies from the inverter/charger that is used when plugged in. What did I do wrong, how do I get the starter batteries charged since it is no longer tied to the inverter/charger? Thanks for the help, thinking it has to be something simple I am missing but can't figure it out.2.5KViews0likes10CommentsBig boy isolator and BIRD Isolator
So I have a new to me coachmen’s sportscoach elite diesel pusher, replaced the coach batteries with battle born lithium, pulled out the big boy isolator and installed the LiFePO4 Battery Isolation Manager. On the opposite side of coach I was replacing the inverter charger and I removed a protective cover and there was a Bird isolator device. Should a unit have both wired in, or now that I have lifepo4 manager installed should I remove the bird unit and pieces? Thanks1KViews0likes3CommentsRe: Class A, gas or diesel
Racklefratz wrote: Leonandlisa wrote: I need to start somewhere. OK, start here: when was the last time you saw a semi-truck with a gas-powered tractor? There's good reason why over-the-road semis are all diesel powered. Gassers are full of compromises. Handling, road stability, gross weight, basement capacity, ... yada, yada ... diesel coaches give you more of all of that. Is diesel maintenance more expensive? Yes. But, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for - simple as that. This is how I felt, but wanted to have my opinions backed up just in case I had the wrong opinion. I appreciate all the comments, so far the floor plan that we like is the Fleetwood discovery 40G. Now we are searching to find a used one.705Views0likes0CommentsRe: Class A, gas or diesel
Thanks for the replies, as for the long trips, I hear your point, it is due to seeing my parents and sights at the same time, but point taken. Maybe changing our vacation style might be something to consider too, honestly didn’t think about that, just thinking how to accommodate our present style.363Views0likes0CommentsClass A, gas or diesel
So we had a bumper pull toyhauler (3 years), then a 35' 5th wheel toyhauler (3) years, and are now looking at Class A. We usually take a summer vacation that we go on a road trim and put about 3,000 miles on in a week or so. Lots of driving, but recently we have had my mother in law move in with us to help her out with some cancer battles and she goes with us everywhere, so the long trips are challenging with bathroom breaks. It is the four of us, Wife, 13 year old son, mother in law, and our standard poodle. I wanted to go straight to diesel for the power, for the exhaust brake, and the 10k tow rating on most. I tow the 5th wheel with a 3500 ram SRW, and I have owned Ford diesels since 2010, so familiar with the maintenance. I am in looking in the used market, but the diesels are still very expensive. Due to the family situation we are also looking for something with bunks for privacy and they seem to be more popular in the gas class A units. So cons with gas: No exhaust brake, less power, less longevity of the motor, less tow rating, and from what I see, the units seem cheaply made (smaller ac units, smaller generators, non residential fridge, less water storage, less gas storage) probably mostly to cut weight. Obviously there is lots of gas units out there though, so want some feedback, how do they do? did you want to upgrade to the diesel right away? if you like the gas one, do you only do short trips? How are they in the mountains coming down and going up grades? We are looking for feedback on units 35-40' long. Sorry for the long story, and I know there is a million opinions, but I need to start somewhere.7.4KViews0likes32CommentsRe: front passenger side sagging when connected to truck
So thanks for the comments and suggestions, after weighing everything the drivers side ended up being just a little heavier since the slides are over there. I did find the fix, as suggested I checked the springs and they were wore out. I was able to buy new ones and replace them all and the trailer is sitting back up in the air and also level. Just wanted to say thanks for the suggestions.429Views0likes0Comments
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