How long to charge my batteries?

[LK23]

As indicated in a previous post, my cranking batteries are discharged to 11.9 volts. The batteries were new April. How long should I charge them? I have a 20 Xantrex charger that works when the generator is running.

[LK23]

As indicated in a previous post, my cranking batteries are discharged to 11.9 volts. The batteries were new April. How long should I charge them? I have a 20 Xantrex charger that works when the generator is running.

[ua40j]

I think a couple of hours should get them to float charge level, if that long. When mine hit 12.1v they are normally floating after about 45 minutes. Yours might vary, of course.

[Joe-K]

Since it's your cranking batteries that are low, I doubt that they charge at all from your Xantrex charger. Usually the cranking (or chassis) batteries are isolated from the coach house batteries on the motorhome. It is the house batteries that are charged by the inverter.

You may have a separate Trik-L-Start battery charger designed to provide a low amperage charge to the chassis batteries when plugged in. I don't recall the exact year Winnebago began installing those, but someone else with an '04 should know if your unit has one.

If you don't have one now, it might be worthwhile to add the Trik-L-Start to your rig to compensate for parasitic battery loads on the engine batteries.

[ua40j]

You know, I forgot about that. In 2002 when Winne built my coach, the inverter/charger was setup to charge both battery sets, chassis and house. But I've heard that has been changed since.

LK23, do you know if yours is setup to charge both battery sets?

[LK23]

Joe-K,

Thanks for the reply. My 20 amp Xantrex charger is connected directly to my cranking batteries. I installed it so I could charge my batteries when in storage. It is wired to operate when the generator is running or when connected to shore power.

I have considered the Trik-L-Start and decided I do not want to have anything sharing the load with my house batteries. The roof solar panel is not large enough to handle all five batteries. It barely keeps the house batteries charged.

[Harry B]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I have considered the Trik-L-Start and decided I do not want to have anything sharing the load with my house batteries. The roof solar panel is not large enough to handle all five batteries. It barely keeps the house batteries charged. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Both the Trik-L-Start and Echo charger only charge your chassis batteries when the house batteries are fully charged, so this should not be an issue.

The difference between the two charger is only the delivery amperage. The Echo charger from Xantrex charges at more than double the rate of the Trik-L-Start charger and again, only when the house batteries have been charged first.