Should my inverter charge my chassis batteries also?

[roaming]

I have a noob question. I have the Freedom 458 2000 watt inverter/charger in my '02 TS, and I just realized after a month of sitting at a park that my chassis batteries are dead. I guess I assumed that the inverter would also charge the chassis batteries, is this not the case?

I have a small solar panel on the roof that is also supposed to keep the chassis batteries charged, guess it's time to trace down the load that's dragging the batteries down and get it taken care of. Yet another project to add to the list!

Thanks!
Jim

[garym114]

The 458 has two separate functions, an inverter and a charger. If you are plugged into shore power there is no use for the inverter and it should be turned off. The charger is not an automatic function, it has to be turned on manually, usually using an inverter/charger control panel. The panel should also show you the battery voltage.
Most coaches charge the chassis and coach batteries on shore power. This is not a function of the inverter/charger but a function of the electrical design of the coach.
Most coaches have enough normal chassis battery drain to require charging on a monthly basis.
Repeated full discharges of the battery will shorten its life and capacity.

[roaming]

Thanks for the response Gary. I have the charger function on, and it's charging the house batteries nicely, just not the chassis batteries. I've discovered that TS didn't install a BIRD or similar device until 2007 or 2008, so the chassis batteries do NOT get charged off of shore power at all :(
It looks like I'll have to invest in a BIRD or use a trickle charger when we're parked for long periods of time.

Northwest RV Supply: BI-DIRECTIONAL ISOLATOR RELAY DELAY Diesel II

[Oldkarphart]

My coach as an ECHO Charger that works in conjunction with the invertor to charge the chassis batteries.....I had to replace mine this past summer as it quit working. Now, my chassis batteries stay charged whenever the unit is plugged into shore power.

[TDiGuy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roaming I have a noob question. I have the Freedom 458 2000 watt inverter/charger in my '02 TS, and I just realized after a month of sitting at a park that my chassis batteries are dead. I guess I assumed that the inverter would also charge the chassis batteries, is this not the case? I have a small solar panel on the roof that is also supposed to keep the chassis batteries charged, guess it's time to trace down the load that's dragging the batteries down and get it taken care of. Yet another project to add to the list! Thanks! Jim

Hi Jim,
I have a similar freedom 2000w in my beaver... I found that when I left
the radio/cd player switch on it killed my engine bat really fast.. I now only turn it on when the engine is running and I have never had a problem since...
jeff

[roaming]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDiGuy Hi Jim, I have a similar freedom 2000w in my beaver... I found that when I left the radio/cd player switch on it killed my engine bat really fast.. I now only turn it on when the engine is running and I have never had a problem since... jeff

Great input also Jeff, step 2 of this puzzle is to track down and eliminate my current draw. It's like a Rubix cube missing a couple colors!

[Marinelender]

Jim....the fix is to install a Trik-L-Start...costs about $50...I had the same problem last summer while work camping in Montana. Installed the Trik-L-Start in less than an hour and now the chassis batteries are charged as well as the house when on shore power. Sure beats dragging out the battery charger........Jim

[wa8yxm]

The question is "Should it charge both house and chassis batteries"

The inverter,,, Charges batteries, The coach maker installed some form of battery control system or isolator.. THAT (What the coach builder installs) determines WHICH batteries the inverter charges.

So in many cases, mine included, yes, both systems are charged (the chassis via the battery control system, house directly) in other cases ONLY THE HOUSE. and in those cases what the previous responder said (Trick-l-start) is recommended.

[roaming]

The Trik-L-Start looks exactly like what I need, I'll see if my local RV dealer here has one in stock, otherwise I'll pick one up off of the internet. Thanks for all the input guys, it's all very helpful!