Community Forums

DSL417 · 10-16-2013, 02:46 PM

Does it make a difference which one...not being coy, but that's kinda what I meant... the inverters are complicated systems, particularly after they've been set up. They do a lot of things, including moving charge to the batteries. That is not necessarily a trickle charge. They'll charge them if they re low, at 30 or 50A shore power.

The solar panel will trickle charge to the chassis batteries if exposed to sunlight and when needed.

rogelling · 10-16-2013, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSL417

Does it make a difference which one...not being coy, but that's kinda what I meant... the inverters are complicated systems, particularly after they've been set up. They do a lot of things, including moving charge to the batteries. That is not necessarily a trickle charge. They'll charge them if they re low, at 30 or 50A shore power.

The solar panel will trickle charge to the chassis batteries if exposed to sunlight and when needed.

I am speaking from ignorance of how the 2 inverters in the Anthem are set up- my next homework assigment- but the reason I ask is that typically, inverters are not set up to charge the chassis batteries, at least when there is one inverter. The chassis batteries are isolated by a charge solenoid that connects the chassis and house batteries together only when the ignition is on so they both can be charged by the alternator. With the ignition off, the charge solenoid isolates the chassis from the house batteries, so neither the inverter nor the genset will charge the chassis batteries. That is why coach builders install a Battery Minder device connected to 120v to charge the chassis batteries while on shore power or genset. Trick-L-Charge makes one that uses house battery power to charge the chassis batteries. The disadvantage of the Battery Minder is that if the coach is not connected to shore power, it will slowly discharge the chassis batteries. I asked which inverter because with 2 inverters is possible to have the smaller inverter connected to chassis batteries and the other to house batteries, but I kind of doubt it. I am venturing to say that the chassis batteries as Entegra builds these coaches are charged either from solar panel or alternator. Just a guess, I have no proof at this time. I have a Trick-L-Charge on order that I plan to install using the house batteries.

DSL417 · 10-16-2013, 05:04 PM

I'm sorry...I'm only relaying what the chief engineer says at Entegra...I can neither explain how, nor can explain how the inverters operate. I've read the manuals, and I have the chief engineers cheat sheet which shows settings, flow diagrams, and what each setting results in. It is pretty complicated, and I though I was a systems engineer.

I can't answer your questions...again, sorry.

rogelling · 10-16-2013, 05:11 PM

Believe me I am also in need of some education on this coach. I wonder if Cruzer happens to be lurking around if he could help us out

Ann n Gene · 10-16-2013, 05:54 PM

All I know is Entegra claims they do charge the bstteries and that is good enough for me.

rogelling · 10-16-2013, 07:51 PM

This is from the 2014 Anthem Owner's Manual:
"A bidirectional charge relay incorporated into the electrical system allows the inverter/charger to charge the chassis batteries once the house auxiliary batteries have been sufficiently charged". How cool is that!

I'm sending the Trick-L-Charge back for a refund.

Ann n Gene · 10-16-2013, 08:16 PM

Cool! Thanks for finding and posting that!

TXBart · 10-16-2013, 08:42 PM

The technical mind asks "How does it work?"

The logical answer is "Just fine."

brobox · 10-17-2013, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogelling

This is from the 2014 Anthem Owner's Manual:
"A bidirectional charge relay incorporated into the electrical system allows the inverter/charger to charge the chassis batteries once the house auxiliary batteries have been sufficiently charged". How cool is that!

I'm sending the Trick-L-Charge back for a refund.

THANK YOU for posting the correct information. Now I won't have to run my leave the headlight on for a 1/2 an hour test to see if the batteries charge when plugged it. The TS failed that test and a float changer was used for years. No more worries now.