Battery question Chassis & House

[VACMAN]

I understand my coach has Chassis Batteries, and House Batteries. When I am in storage and plugged into 120 Volt I know that the House Batteries are being charged. But does this also charge the chassis batteries? Or does the Chassis Batteries only get charged when the engine is running?

[clubmed98]

on my 1998 dsdp both charge...would assume yours will also..but will let a 2008 dsdp person over rule me

[GaryKD]

It depends on how your coach is wired. For my coach, the chassis batteries are kept at a trickle charge by a solar panel on the roof. Being connected to shore power has nothing to do with my chassis batteries. Consider calling Newmar to determine how your coach works.

Gut feel says you also have a solar panel on the roof. The chassis batteries are also charged when the engine is running.

[Jim Stewart]

Some coaches come standard with a solar panel to charge the batteries. Some coaches come with a trickle charger that charges the house batteries when plugged in and trickle to the chassis batteries. Some coaches only charge the house batteries when plugged in and do nothing for the chassis batteries. I believe that all coaches charge the house and chassis batteries when the engine runs.

All that being said, I believe that the 2008 Dutchstars came standard with a 5 Watt solar panel and should charge the chassis batteries. Just climb the ladder and look to see if it has a solar panel, if it does, it does!

[VACMAN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Stewart Some coaches come standard with a solar panel to charge the batteries. Some coaches come with a trickle charger that charges the house batteries when plugged in and trickle to the chassis batteries. Some coaches only charge the house batteries when plugged in and do nothing for the chassis batteries. I believe that all coaches charge the house and chassis batteries when the engine runs. All that being said, I believe that the 2008 Dutchstars came standard with a 5 Watt solar panel and should charge the chassis batteries. Just climb the ladder and look to see if it has a solar panel, if it does, it does!

I do have a solar panel on the roof. Now Iknow what it is for. During the winter I will keep it in a heated garage. During these 4 -5 Months (no sun for panel) Should I put them on a trinkle charger, or leave them alone and just put a charger on them a few days before I want to go camping?

[Jim Stewart]

If it does not have one, consider this:

http://www.lslproducts.com/TLSPage.html

Cheap, easy to install and it works. When the house batteries are chargeing by the inverter/charger when plugged in, it piggy backs and trickle charges the chassis batteries.

It also works with the solar panels charging or not, if you call their tech support, they can answer any questions, they are very friendly! I hard wired mine in and it took about 5 minutes and I'm Stupid!

[Norm4015]

Vacman,

When plugged into shorepower both your chassis and house batteries will be charged. Newmar wired it that way. When you drive the alternator also charges both sets of batteries. The small solar panel is connected to the chassis batteries and will help maintain a fully charged battery.

[Latitude]

Vacman

Your DS likely has a BIRD ( Bi directional relay device) which does allow charging of Chassis batteries when on shore pwer and House batteries are fully charged, and it allows house batteries to charge when running engine after Chassis batteries are fully charged.

My BIRD is located in the electrical bay beside the transfer switch.

Rick

[Latitude]

[Latitude]

This pic is not My coach but from another thread on the BIRD!!! I thing this is a pic from a Monacoa maybe a Dip or Endeavor.

That is the BIRD in the Lower left corner.

Rick

[read & learn]

Thanks Rick for the 2nd post I was going nuts trying to firgure why your Electrical compartment was a little different than mine.
Side opening door-different cover on electrical etc.
Joe

[GaryKD]

Hi Rick,
I second Joe's thanks for the post following your picture. I almost had a heart attack looking at the picture. Since we have the same coach, it was scary to see that photo.

[Latitude]

OK To end the Confusion!!!!! LOL

This is My KS electrical bay(Behind the Velcro Panel)



Rick

[VACMAN]

LATITUDE,,, So what you are saying, is if I have the BIRD on my coach then the Ultra TRIK-L-START™ would not be needed.. As in the end they do the same thing. Correct ????