Inverter / Charger Question

[OldHiker]

Not sure if I am doing this correctly. I have 15amp shore power in front of my house. Only want to keep the batteries charged. I have turned off the switch over the driver, which kills all the power in the coach. The question is - are my batteries charging with this switch off?

[OldHiker]

Not sure if I am doing this correctly. I have 15amp shore power in front of my house. Only want to keep the batteries charged. I have turned off the switch over the driver, which kills all the power in the coach. The question is - are my batteries charging with this switch off?

[MikeandClaudia]

I added my inverter after-market. This is how it was hooked up--that the inverter would keep it charged.

Try it, check it after a week and see what your voltage is on the batteries.

Good Luck!

[GaryKD]

Hi OldHiker,

The easiest thing to do is call Newmar tech support and ask them (800-731-8300). You may need your coach number to ensure an accurate answer.

For the DYI person, consider:
1. With power to the coach (the switch turned back on) take a reading accross the coach battery posts. That will be the rate of charge for that moment in time. Turn the coach kill switch to off. Keep the coach connected to shore power. Take the same reading from the coach batteries. If the reding is the same, the batteries are being charged. If the reading is less, the batteries are not being charged.

2. You can also take a reading now and then in a week, per what Mike posted. If the second reading is lower, the batts are not being charged.

3. Chargers usually make a little noise (like a humm). Sometimes the cooling fan will be running. You could check for this.

My gut says the batteries are not being charged when the coach kill switch is off. That is how it works on my coach. But I have a KS and you have an Essex. On this topic, that may be a big difference.

[jurzbill]

Gary
I have an 04 KS. I have it hooked up to shore line when parked at home.
should I kill the batteries or just leave them on while parked like that.
Curious what you do.

[soricobob]

Since I have recently had an electrician examine my coach (for storage), I can address the issue. Plugging into a 15 or 20 amp plug, with your charger on, will keep your house batteries charged with the overhead switch in the use position. If you push the switch to off, the house batteries will not keep charged.

[GaryKD]

Hi Bill,
My coach never sits for more than a couple of weeks between trips. We use the coach year around. With that understanding, I have the coach plugged in all the time. If it was to sit for a month or more, I would put it in store mode. The coach would not be plugged into shore power.