Battery/Inverter Question

[LeeB]

A little back ground first. I bought my MH in February of last year and the Dealer said he installed new Interstate batteries. (and they look it) We have used the MH off and on over the past year. Here is my statement and question;
The last time we were out was about a month ago. The MH has sat since then, I have been very good about starting it and letting it run for at least 30 when I do start it. (I would say I started it at least twice.)

Anyway, I started it this morning and let it run for about a 1/2 hour. Later in the day I was goofing off inside and turned on the inverter to watch a little T.V. well after about 5 minutes the inverter shut off. I was playing with wiring at the time so I thought I may have tripped it somehow. So I turned it back on and after about 5 minutes it turned off again. I said Hmmmm... SO anyway I went outside and went to check the batteries and noticed LIQUID on top of each house batteries (4 6 volt)... My question is is that normal for there to be liquid to be there. I opened the batteries (carefully) and they had water in them to the normal level...

Is the inverter shutting off and and the liquid somehow be related?

[tomwalt]

If the liquid is near the battery vent holes you may be overcharging/boiling water in the batteries - careful the liquid may be battery acid. Get a volt meter and check the batteries - should be wired so you have 12VDC with the engine off or about 13.6 VDC engine running (and charging). Maybe one of the batteries is holding the others down - or the alternator bad or a short in the DC system. This is just something to check to get you started - observe what your voltmeter readings are and go from there. Disconnect the loads and batteries so you check each battery - careful not to short to ground or get battery acid spread around. Learn/draw your DC system as you go. It will serve you well later on too.
Another thought - do you use the Battery disconnect switch and thus have decent DC power (house lights) when you return to the MH? Something maybe draining he batteries during the 2 weeks you are gone.

[LeeB]

I thought about the batteries being over charged and the liquid has to be acid (what else could it be.) But I do have to ask would the alternator over charge in 1/2 hour??????

I hope I don't have a short in the DC system. If I did wouldn't it show up immediately and trip the inverter instead of the inverter shutting off?

[tomwalt]

By short I just mean a constant draw. Example: When I was not using my battery disconnect (part was on order) I discovered that my refrig (which works fine) was drawing .5 amps all the time for the control ckt. This and the other parisite loads drained my battery from a full charge down to 11.5Volts in 3 days. With use of the battery disconnect my batteries would last months above 12VDC. Thus the thought on using the battery disconnect to isolate a battery drain. Seems that is where you are at now. Something seems to be amiss in the DC charging or battery storage - maybe your inverter is part of the problem. Does the user manual tell what conditions cause it to shut off - my guess is low battery voltage will be one (but that is just a guess). One way to tell is use a volt meter along with isolating you DC system components. May be just dead batteries that need a good charging (1/2 hour ideling off the alternator every other week might not be enough of a charge to keep the batteries up).

[LeeB]

Well your right, I did not use the disconnect and that very well could be. I did notice that on my panel my battery level reads 11.5 even after I ran the engine. What I will do (tomorrow it is storming here right now) is check the manual and see what it says. Maybe by Monday I can plug it in for a few days. I think a major problem is me not using the Disconnect...

[tomwalt]

I think you got it - put a regular battery charger on it and get it all charged up. It is surprising how may items use power even when "off".

[wa8yxm]

You said you start and run for at least 1/2 hour every month.. Good, however to full recharge batteries takes not 1/2 hour but more like four to six hours.. Just so you know.

Liquid on top of the batteries may be caused by any of the following.

Equalization: (Slightly boils the cells)
Over filling (Very very very common, The books usually say to fill to the BOTTOM of the split ring (the filler tube) try 1/8 to 1/4 inch BELOW the bottom of the tube)

Over charging (Boils the battery)

Too fast charging (or discharging)

Other (Example, rain dripping on top of 'em)




Solution is the same in all cases..

First.. RINSE.. With the filler caps in place, regular tap water is ok.


Then mix up some baking soda and water, They usually say a thick paste but runny may be better here.. With the filler caps IN PLACE,, Firmly IN place, slather this mix on.. Let it sit till it stops fizzing, slather on some more, rinse it off (Tap water again)

Once it's clean (And dry) remove the filler caps and chek the fluid level add DISTILLED water if needed, If it's already over full.... Just clean it again in a month or so.

[Rex]

Hello Lee,

First, I don't think your house batteries are charged by the alternator, and that only the chassis batteries are charged by it. To charge both sets from the alternator requires a few parts I don't think your coach has, nor does mine.

Second, running the engine for 30 minutes is not good if it is idling. If you take it out for a drive for that long it is OK. The engine needs to get to normal operating temperature once it is started.

Third, always turn off your battery disconnects in the battery compartment when the coach is not in use. There are parasitic loads on both sets that will slowly drain them. Even with the switches off there are still some loads present.

If your house batteries are showing 11.5 they are discharged. To charged the house batteries, start the generator and let it run for at least 1-1/2 to 2 hours once a month. Running it also keeps it in good shape for producing power and Onan recommends this be done every 30 days. Once you run it and get the house batteries back to full charge, just run the generator each month and you should be OK.

Also when the coach is connected to shore power, the chassis batteries in your coach are not being charged. I use a Trik-L-Start that charges them from the house batteries once the house batteries are fully charged and this works fine.

[LeeB]

wa8yxm... I hear what your saying and I will do as you say as soon as we dry out a little. Right now and few the next few days it is suppose to rain and storm.

Rex; Thanks for the explanation on how things charge and it does make since. But let me get things straight. When driving down the road I am not charging the house batteries only the engine batteries (just like in a car) When plugged in (or on generator) I am only charging the house batteries and not the engine batteries.

Now as far a starting and letting it run for a 1/2 hour, from what your saying it is BAD to just idle. I understand that because it builds up carbon. But what if I am unable to drive her for a 2 or 3 month stretch? What do I do then? Or should I force the issue and MAKE MY SELF drive until it brings up the temps...

[Rex]

Yep you have it right.

"When driving down the road I am not charging the house batteries only the engine batteries (just like in a car) When plugged in (or on generator) I am only charging the house batteries and not the engine batteries."

If you are not able to drive the coach for several months it will not hurt it, but the engine batteries may run down. To prevent that, consider buying a Trik-L-Start which I think is around $50-60. Easy to install and it will keep the engine battery charged provided you also run your generator each month for an 1-1/2 hours so it can charge the House batteries.

You can get the Trik-L-Start here:

Trik-L-Start
5807 Babcock Rd. #108San
Antonio, TX 78240
877-257-4655
Ultra TRIK-L-START FAQs


The House batteries are charged by the inverter when either you are on shore power or have the generator running. The Trik-L-Start will keep the Engine batteries up also providing you run the generator as suggested each month.

Coaches higher up in the food chain are wired so both sets of batteries are charged from shore or alternator.

[Stevepkam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex Yep you have it right. "When driving down the road I am not charging the house batteries only the engine batteries (just like in a car) When plugged in (or on generator) I am only charging the house batteries and not the engine batteries." If you are not able to drive the coach for several months it will not hurt it, but the engine batteries may run down. To prevent that, consider buying a Trik-L-Start which I think is around $50-60. Easy to install and it will keep the engine battery charged provided you also run your generator each month for an 1-1/2 hours so it can charge the House batteries. You can get the Trik-L-Start here: Trik-L-Start 5807 Babcock Rd. #108San Antonio, TX 78240 877-257-4655 Ultra TRIK-L-START FAQs The House batteries are charged by the inverter when either you are on shore power or have the generator running. The Trik-L-Start will keep the Engine batteries up also providing you run the generator as suggested each month. Coaches higher up in the food chain are wired so both sets of batteries are charged from shore or alternator.

That's funny. In "cheap travel trailers, the coach batteries are charged whenerver the truck is hooked up to the trailer and motor is running.
I don't know whether my new Monaco Monarch's house batteries are charged when the motor is running and the Monarch cost 4xs the travel trailer.

[ImagineIF]

If your house batteries aren't charged while the engine is running, fix the problem. Whether the manufacturer intended on having the engine charge the house bank isn't really important. What is important is that your battery banks stay charged and therefore available for use when ever you have a charging source.

Just my opinion,

Gil

[JimM68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevepkam I don't know whether my new Monaco Monarch's house batteries are charged when the motor is running and the Monarch cost 4xs the travel trailer.

Easiest thing is to check. I was very concerned about the possibility of this before picking up my Knight last week. It was a relief to read in the owners manual, and verify with a voltmeter, that both banks of batteries are charged by all available power sources, including the engine alternator, shor power, and the genny.

[Rambling Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImagineIF If your house batteries aren't charged while the engine is running, fix the problem. Whether the manufacturer intended on having the engine charge the house bank isn't really important. What is important is that your battery banks stay charged and therefore available for use when ever you have a charging source. Just my opinion, Gil

OK, I have been tracing out my electrical system on my new-to-me Ambassador and there seems to me no mechanism visible to make my engine alternator charge my house batteries or to make my converter/charger charge my engine batteries. I have confirmed that with an amp clamp when the engine is running and when shore power or the generator is on. I don't think anything is broke, just not designed to cross charge, even though my manual says otherwise. Are there any Do It Yourself modifications I can undertake to make my life a little easier? Wiley

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