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JandKSunshin · 10-25-2017, 03:48 PM

Hello! I'm looking at getting something to keep the engine battery charged, since apparently the older RV's like mine (30' 1995 Winnebago Adventurer with a Chevy engine) have a drain on them. I found this, which seems like it might do the "trick" (lol) - Ultra TRIK-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer.

I'm worried, though, because using my multimeter - it read zero resistance between the positive terminal on the engine battery and the positive terminal on the house battery. That shouldn't be, right? Of course the negative terminals show zero resistance, because it's a common ground. Is there somewhere in particular that I should look for a short? Still - they're both reading separate voltages. The engine's really low right now (reason for the charger), but the house, which charges through shore power, is tip-top.

Suggestions? Thanks!
Johnny

jhlady · 10-25-2017, 03:52 PM

Johnny,

That is what you need all right, but from my experience you will first have to fully re-charge your starting battery before relying on the Trik-L-Start to maintain it.

Hope this helps.

John

retired-guy · 10-25-2017, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JandKSunshin

Hello! I'm looking at getting something to keep the engine battery charged, since apparently the older RV's like mine (30' 1995 Winnebago Adventurer with a Chevy engine) have a drain on them. I found this, which seems like it might do the "trick" (lol) - Ultra TRIK-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer.

I'm worried, though, because using my multimeter - it read zero resistance between the positive terminal on the engine battery and the positive terminal on the house battery. That shouldn't be, right? Of course the negative terminals show zero resistance, because it's a common ground. Is there somewhere in particular that I should look for a short? Still - they're both reading separate voltages. The engine's really low right now (reason for the charger), but the house, which charges through shore power, is tip-top.

Suggestions? Thanks!
Johnny

There will not be a continuity reading between the positive terminals as there would be a solenoid to keep them separate while they charge.

nothermark · 10-25-2017, 04:15 PM

If you are reading different voltages you do not have a short circuit between two points. That is a given.

The question is why you are reading zero ohms. If you want a longer dissertation you can ask or do a search. The bottom line is that resistance measuring meters do not generally work on live circuits. Measuring resistance between two batteries could have blown your DMM ohms range. It probably would have on the old style meters. A lot of newer one's are capable of protecting themselves from users doing really bad things out of ignorance, carelessness or the well known oops! move.

Ndrorder · 10-25-2017, 04:28 PM

There is very little resistance between the +ve and -ve in a battery. Be sure to have a VOM with a shunt before measuring as it could be damaged. Anyway, touching the +ves is essentially the same as touching the -ves.