Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > MOTORHOME FORUMS > MH-General Discussions & Problems
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-18-2015, 05:58 AM   #1
Registered User
 
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 7,114
Making it mine - keeping the truck battery charged while on shore power

After sitting for about 6 weeks I went to start the truck and was greeted with that click-click-click-click sound as I turned the key.



I held in the "EMER START" switch and tried again, the truck started right up.
Its nice to have the EMER START feature, it energizes the Isolator Solenoid and ties the truck and coach batteries together and can save the day when one of the batteries is low or dead

BUT, the problem is, we shouldn't allow either battery to go dead, this is bad for the battery and will severely shorten its life, especially if its discharged down to zero.

SOLUTION

Many MHs have the ability to tie the truck and coach batteries together when on shore power or the generator is running, keeping the truck batteries fresh and charged, I decided to do the same thing.

Attached is the circuit I used that will automatically tie the coach and truck batteries together.


CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION

When 110 volts is available to the coach via shore power or the generator, a 110 volt relay energizes, enabling the shore charge circuit.

If the Shore Charge switch is ON, current flows thru the switch, thru the energized 110 volt relay contacts, and the cube relay is energized, tying the two batteries together.


CONSIDERATIONS

Isolator - Using a separate cube relay instead of the isolator solenoid - The existing isolator solenoid could have been used for the tie, this would simplify the circuit as those components exist and are already wired. I chose to use a separate cube relay so as not to keep the isolator solenoid energized for long periods. It also adds a small amount of redundancy.


110 volt relay - Any 110 volt relay will be acceptable, keep in mind it will be energized anytime there is 110 volts on the coach. I used an inexpensive relay and socket available from Automation Direct (to the right of the wall plug).

As can be seen in the photo, the relay coil plugs into a standard wall outlet that the TV used to plug into. To the right of the 110 volt relay is the 12 volt cube relay that ties the batteries together.

I could have run the 110 to the shore switch to simplify the circuit, but I decided to keep the 110 volts isolated and away from the 12 volt circuits.


Shore Charge Switch - This is a DayStar switch with an internal amber light indicator. (it looks red in the photo) I wired the indicator to light when the switch is on. I can see this from anywhere in the MH.


NOTE - The Blink, Headlight, and A/C are made by "Carling" . The CHARGE and INVERTER are "DayStar", the original EMER START is also a "Carling"


Coach Converter - Most original equipment, inexpensive converters were single stage, i.e., they put out one voltage, period. This voltage was a compromise between running coach loads, charging a battery, but not cooking the battery with to much voltage.

I upgraded my original single stage to a four stage converter from Best Converter. (more on this in another article) This converter has intelligence and adjusts its output to match the conditions it sees, and will not cook a battery (boil fluid due to overcharging)


Battery match - In an ideal world, tying two batteries in parallel is OK, as long as the batteries are matched. Without getting technical, a starting battery and a deep cycle battery are not a good match, so this is not an optimal configuration.


CONCLUSIONS

This circuit is not optimal, but certainly functional for my simple electrical system that consists of one start battery and one deep cycle.

You can also read this article on my web site - SHORE POWER CHARGE
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	ShoreCharge_3.jpg
Views:	400
Size:	70.4 KB
ID:	88810   Click image for larger version

Name:	ShoreCharge_2.jpg
Views:	140
Size:	70.6 KB
ID:	88811  

Click image for larger version

Name:	ShoreCharge_1.jpg
Views:	147
Size:	41.5 KB
ID:	88812  
Waiter21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 03-18-2015, 10:10 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
FIRE UP's Avatar


 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 9,899
Well Sir,
It sounds like you've got a pretty good handle on remedying your problem. However, in my humble opinion, you WAAAAAAY over worked the problem. All you needed was one of two things.

1. "Trik-L-Start" which, is a small box that simply "splits" the charge coming from your inverter/charger or, Converter/charger, which ever you have and, sends some of the charge intended for the coach batteries, to the "chassis" (Not "Truck") batteries. Most folks in the RV world refer to them as chassis batteries. No biggie, it's your vehicle, you can call them what you like.

2. Or, Installing a simple, three-stage NAPA or, any other brand, battery charger that will completely handle the chassis batteries, independent of what ever is being put into the coach batteries. I did it that way for two reasons. One, because it IS independent in that, if anything ever goes wrong with the Inverter/charger I have, my chassis batteries will still receive a charge. Two, that charger is tied into the 110VAC breaker panel so, if ever there is a need, I can simply flip the breaker and, that shuts down the three-stage charger for what ever reason I have at the time.

But, it sounds like you've accomplished your goal anyway. No biggie, whatever works. Good luck with your new system.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '20 Honda NC750X DCT
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Heidi character, (mini Schnauzer)!
FIRE UP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2015, 11:45 AM   #3
Registered User
 
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 7,114
Scott;

Good options on charging the truck battery. tnks.

I guess my references to the truck has carried over from years ago when it really was a truck with a MH on its back. :-)

john
Waiter21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2015, 01:43 PM   #4
"Formerly Diplomat Don"
 
Dutch Star Don's Avatar
 
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 23,922
John.....I know you worked hard on making some upgrades, BUT.....the best system for charging a coach battery while on shore power is one of these three. They are fully automatic and once installed, NEVER need any switching. There's no forgetting to turn them off, back feeding power or connecting the two sets of batteries together issues. I originally purchased the TRIK-L-START, but the case swelled after a year and I replaced it with the Xantrex unit. A well built, good quality unit. Do a search for the best price.

Battery Chargers | Auxiliary Battery Charger | Xantrex

Smart Battery Combiner (ME-SBC) - Magnum Energy, Inc.

Ultra TRIK-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer
__________________
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
Dutch Star Don is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2015, 11:41 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: The Evergreen State
Posts: 526
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don View Post
John.....I know you worked hard on making some upgrades, BUT.....the best system for charging a coach battery while on shore power is one of these three. They are fully automatic and once installed, NEVER need any switching. There's no forgetting to turn them off, back feeding power or connecting the two sets of batteries together issues. I originally purchased the TRIK-L-START, but the case swelled after a year and I replaced it with the Xantrex unit. A well built, good quality unit. Do a search for the best price.

Battery Chargers | Auxiliary Battery Charger | Xantrex

Smart Battery Combiner (ME-SBC) - Magnum Energy, Inc.

Ultra TRIK-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer
I thought all batteries get charged when on shore power or genset. Well, I guess i'm wrong and thanks for the 3 links.
leesdx1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
battery, power, shore power



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bounder: Battery - Shore Power mastrini Fleetwood Owner's Forum 4 10-09-2014 10:21 PM
'90 Itasca 120v appliances only work on shore power Zagando Class A Motorhome Discussions 9 10-08-2014 10:31 PM
Hybrid Solar / Shore Power Solution Wanted SteveUpp Going Green 20 09-23-2014 06:32 AM
Battery power question Ramsky Travel Trailer Discussion 9 06-05-2014 10:37 AM
Tripp Lite RV inverter fan running always when on shore power wanderso RV Systems & Appliances 1 03-15-2014 10:50 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:05 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.