Community Forums

Ebmills · 11-20-2019, 04:14 PM

Hi all, I’m a newbie at the Motorhome scene so most of my questions are probably dumb. I have my 2018 Tiffin 32SA parked under roof at a storage facility. It is plugged into a 30amp service receptacle. Are my batteries being charged just because I have it plugged in or should I use a trickle charger on them?
Thanks for your input...

**NLOVNIT** · 11-20-2019, 04:23 PM

I don't know about your SA, but our Phaeton has a battery minder. We're plugged in 24/7/365, we do NOT turn off the disconnects, & our batteries are kept charged.

Lori-

Martind4 · 11-20-2019, 04:39 PM

Going back to basics for a minute, you should have 2 separate battery systems on your motorhome, one set for the “house” and the other set for the “chassis”. Chassis batteries are generally used to start the engine and maybe the generator.

House batteries used for lighting, vent fans, etc.

On our ‘06 Phaeton, it originally only charged the house batteries when plugged in, the chassis batteries would eventually go dead.

I added a Trik-l-Start that “steals” a small amount of current to maintain the chassis batteries.

It's easy enough to check if the chassis batteries are being charged from shore power with a digital voltmeter, they should be very close to the house batteries when plugged in.

Hope this helps.

**NLOVNIT** · 11-20-2019, 04:44 PM

That's how it was with last decade era Tiffins. Tiffin made a change to that around 2014 or 2015. I know for sure they charge on the higher end diesels, but don't know how much of that technology has trickled down to models lower down the chain. I would certainly think that by 2018, it has.

I'm sure someone with that model will chime in soon (or someone with more broad knowledge of systems operations on models other than their own).

Lori-

pameridan04 · 11-20-2019, 08:19 PM

The simple answer is YES..... When you are plugged into shore power, whether it is 50 amp, 30 amp, or 15 amp your batteries will charge. When your chassis battery hits 12.4 % it will receive a float charge from your system. Your house batteries should remain around 13.5 They go usually to 14 when in charge mode.

I know you are new, but you can search in the Tiffin Owners Forum about battery charging. It is also covered in your owners manual.

Jim P

pameridan04 · 11-20-2019, 08:20 PM

PS...... You must leave your battery switch and inverter in the ON position for the auto charging to work.

Jim P.

Mark_K5LXP · 11-20-2019, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebmills

Are my batteries being charged just because I have it plugged in or should I use a trickle charger on them?

A couple minutes with a basic voltmeter will reveal if your batteries are receiving a float charge. Takes all the guesswork out of it.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

dezolen · 11-21-2019, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_K5LXP

A couple minutes with a basic voltmeter will reveal if your batteries are receiving a float charge. Takes all the guesswork out of it.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

Kept mine charged on a 15 amp line with no issues. Now that we had to move it to storage lot 100 watt solar panel standing in the front windshield keeps the batteries charged.