Coach in storage question - batteries?

[pduggs]

I stored my recently acquired coach in outdoor storage, in Clearwater Florida. It has been in storage for about 30 days. I shut off everything I could think of. Yesterday my brother in-law was nice enough to check on the coach, as I am in dismal Michigan.

Here is a pic of my inverter remote. Am I to conclude from this pic that my batteries are registering 13.1 volts? If so, does this mean my batteries are holding the charge?

[Skip426]

Yes , the batteries are fully charged, but for a batteries only read out I'd expect 12.6/12.8 v.
Any chance there is a solar panel on the rig you're not aware of ; because 13.1 v is a charging system float ( maintenance ) charge rate.

[pduggs]

Originally Posted by Skip426

Yes , the batteries are fully charged, but for a batteries only read out I'd expect 12.6/12.8 v.
Any chance there is a solar panel on the rig you're not aware of ; because 13.1 v is a charging system float ( maintenance ) charge rate.

Yes...it has the OEM 100 watt solar panel. I was told that solar panel was not enough to keep batteries charged. Is this inaccurate?

[Lt Dan]

Originally Posted by pduggs

Yes...it has the OEM 100 watt solar panel. I was told that solar panel was not enough to keep batteries charged. Is this inaccurate?

It's enough to keep them charged when everything is turned off, but not enough if you are using power with things turned on.

[pduggs]

Originally Posted by Lt Dan

It's enough to keep them charged when everything is turned off, but not enough if you are using power with things turned on.

Thanks. I was worried my batteries might discharge, while in storage. At least that is one worry I can forget about.

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by pduggs

Thanks. I was worried my batteries might discharge, while in storage. At least that is one worry I can forget about.

Unfortunately the solar may be only hooked to the coach batteries, and not maintain the chassis batteries. Unless the coach is set up to link the banks when one set is charging ; you won't know till you're there to start the coach.

[pduggs]

I thought I read in the manual that the solar panel does charge both chassis and house batteries, but I might be wrong. I will check that out. Thanks.

[rk911]

if you are wrong condider adding a Trik-L-Start (firmerly called a Trik-L-Charge) charger to your coach. this will keep the chassis battery charged while connected to shore power.

[MisterT]

solar power for RVs is typically a direct connection to the house batteries, it does not connect to your onboard Charger - so no charging to the chassis batteries, it's just not what most folks expect, they want House battery charging.

but, chassis batteries are rarely the issue, since little effects them while in storage.

[WorldCat25]

Originally Posted by MisterT

solar power for RVs is typically a direct connection to the house batteries, it does not connect to your onboard Charger - so no charging to the chassis batteries, it's just not what most folks expect, they want House battery charging.

but, chassis batteries are rarely the issue, since little effects them while in storage.

100% agree

[twinboat]

The solar controller will charge the chassis battery while connected to the house batteries if it has bi-directional charging or a Trickle start device.

The onboard charger doesn't charge the chassis batteries. It ONLY charges the house batteries.

From the house batteries, some other device is needed to share that with the chassis battery, Whether the charging is coming from Solar, converter inverter/charger or onboard charger, you need a Trik L Start, Amp L Start, battery combiner, BIM or BIRD.

[Rnicfingrp]

On the Trik-L-Start on the wiring diagram, the Black wire goes to "chassis ground". Can you run the Black wire directly to the "Negative" battery post instead of wiring it to the Chassis?

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Rnicfingrp

On the Trik-L-Start on the wiring diagram, the Black wire goes to "chassis ground". Can you run the Black wire directly to the "Negative" battery post instead of wiring it to the Chassis?

Yes, absolutely.

[STJ]

Since you are getting a charge, have someone check the water level once a month or so, and ad water as needed.