Jumper wire from house to chassis batteries

[Coached]

Just two quick points that might influence your thinking. When the engine is first started and the alternator starts producing juice, the chassis battery(s) will almost always be given priority over the house batteries. Depending on how low the chassis battery is it will receive charging for some time before the house batteries get included in the deal. I'm pretty confident that this is somewhat standard in the Industry but I can't state for sure. I became so concerned about this issue, after being literally stranded one time, that I took my own action. I had a Mechanic install one 12v AGM high cranking amps battery, in a separate location from the others (there was a well just above where the entry steps folded into), with an isolater to keep it from feeding back into the rest of the system. This battery was dedicated to starting the generator, nothing else whatsoever. It was charged directly bythe alternator, and the generator, and shore power and it ensured that I could not ever again find myself with no power. You know, it really only takes a battery about the size of what you'd find in a riding mower to start the generator anyway. I considered this pretty cheap and reliable insurance?

[mr300ce]

I use a jumper cable as descibed. Just remember to disconnect it when you are dry camping, so you don't drain the chassis start battery along with the coach batts. Otherwise, I just leave it in place al the time.

Keeps all my batts topped up while on shore power, or driving.

This spring, I am going to make it permanent with a switch on the dash for dry camping disconnect.

[wa8yxm]

Thought I had answered in this thread.. The major drawback, unless you use either a very heavy cable or some form of overload protection is best explained by Mac the Fire Guy.

Yes, his buddies still make house calls, both stick and brick, and motor home

Imagine if you will the ground lead on the chassis battery is bad.. so there is no ground there. now you have nice BIG!! house batteries and they still have a good ground,, You have a fairly light weight jumper (Starter current wise) joining the chassis and house positives.

You turn the key to start, and start,,, the wire does, a fire,

With the Trick-L-Start or Echo Charger or a Bi Directional Isolator. no such issues.

[JohnFreyja]

Also, look at the Magnum Smart Combiner. Less expensive than the Echo Charger and I think more reliable as well as a higher charge rate.

[deSanford]

I was advised to run my solar charge wire to my coach batteries. I was told that the "trickle-charger" unit would bleed off amperage to the chassis batteries. deSanford