Community Forums

Patti Brown · 08-25-2016, 09:27 AM

We use a trickle charger as a backup when necessary if the chassis battery voltage starts to drop (which it will over time despite all our other precautions).
DH read the review of the AMP-L-START in the Sept 2016 MH magazine and thinks it may be a better install.

Anyone using it? Alway nice to get other users' opinions.

BFlinn181 · 08-25-2016, 10:51 AM

The AMP-L-START is a giant waste of money. If you look at the web page, it states, "Connected between your house and engine starting batteries, AMP-L-START™ "steals" some of the charging current from your house battery charger (or solar panels) to also keep your engine starting batteries charged."

A wire between the (+) post of the chassis battery and the house battery will do the same thing. Problem with a simple wire is that it doesn't isolate the two separate battery banks from each other.

It then states, "Whenever no house battery charging source is present, it automatically shuts down, thereby preventing any reverse current flow back into the house batteries."

O.K., they're saying it senses charging voltage and isolates batteries when it's not present. So does a battery isolator.

The AMP-L-START costs ~$65. Unless you are running the generator or connected to shore power, it provides no charging current to the chassis battery. Your trickle charger does the same thing. It charges when 120v is present.

I see absolutely no reason for an AMP-L-START. A proper battery isolation unit does the same thing, works both ways, in addition to charging the chassis battery when connected to 120v, it would charge the house batteries when the engine alternator is charging the chassis battery. If you don't have that function now, a battery isolation unit would be a better investment. I really can't believe a 2014 Newmar Bay Star 3308 doesn't have such a unit installed, maybe yours isn't functioning.

Patti Brown · 08-25-2016, 11:17 AM

Dealer checked battery isolation and it works. We have stopped one phantom draw (dash radio) that was draining the battery very quickly. But there are other tiny ones that over several days will defeat the isolation. Hence the trickle charger we plug in. The unit about which I am asking is a fixed set up, so no plugging and unplugging.

lanerd · 08-25-2016, 11:20 AM

The main advantage I see is that the amp-l-start doesn't require a 120vac outlet to plug into as does a battery minder. I first went with a battery minder and had to run an extension cord under the coach over to find a 120vac outlet. With the amp-l-start, there are just three small wires....no 120vac cord required. This allows it to be hard wired in and therefore is an install and forget system.

Ron

BFlinn181 · 08-25-2016, 11:20 AM

You could leave the trickle charger plugged in, it would only charge when 120 v power was available.

You could turn off chassis battery, either with a battery isolation switch, or a manual switch attached to the battery itself. Do you have remote lock or other things that might drain the chassis battery?

puttin · 08-25-2016, 11:32 AM

It works much like the Amp-L-Start. I like it very much. Previous to having it, my chassis battery wasn't being charged enough and each time I set out in the rig it would barely start- or not at all. I camp often enough so that the Trickle Start keeps the chassis batt topped off and I never have this situation anymore. Besides the fact I have no 120v where I keep the rig. I always use my batt shut off switches for the coach and house. I've had my Trickle Start for seven years and I swear by its dependability...I paid $50.00 and it's worth every penny in my opinion.

"007" · 08-25-2016, 11:40 AM

Why is it necessary to have a trickle charger on your Newmar.
If you noticed the people that have posted do not own Newmar's.
You have a built in charging system in your coach a Bird System or a B.I.M.
They are explained here along with your battery systems, link is found in the QT's # 3 link below in my signature, with others, with info for your Newmar.
Besides your radio your LP Detector is also a drain on the chassis battery and most older MH's had a disconnect switch for detector in your overhead display area.
If you are dry camping you would run your Gen to recharge your battery systems.

BFlinn181 · 08-25-2016, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007";3225166]Why is it necessary to have a trickle charger on your Newmar.
If you noticed the people that have posted do not own Newmar's.
You have a built in charging system in your coach a Bird System or a B.I.M.
They are [B][URL="https://comnet2.newmarcorp.com/instance1Env99NEWMAR/html/images/SS2011Electrical12V.pdf

explained here[/URL][/B] along with your battery systems, link is found in the QT's # 3 link below in my signature, with others, with info for your Newmar.
Besides your radio your LP Detector is also a drain on the chassis battery and most older MH's had a disconnect switch for detector in your overhead display area.
If you are dry camping you would run your Gen to recharge your battery systems.

I agree and think the OP would be better served to fix anything that's preventing RV from charging as it was built. Measure the voltage at both battery groups unplugged, then plugged in to 120v, a voltage increase should be evident at both battery groups, charge coming from the built in charger.

I don't own a Newmar, but know how an RV should be equipped.

Patti Brown · 08-26-2016, 12:48 PM

When I began this topic, I was asking for hands on review by users of a particular product in which DH was interested. What has been posted are myriad reasons why we need or should do something else.

FWIW, we have had one of the top dealers go over this coach. We have addressed everything related to the issue that is cost effective to do. Yes, we have a battery disconnect, but batteries do go down even so.

At the risk of being flamed, if you have not used or do not use a product like the one about which I asked, please refrain from posting. We are interested in the experience of actual users. Thanks!

lanerd · 08-26-2016, 12:54 PM

I have used a battery minder, Trik-l-start and the amp-l-start and in my post above I thought it was pretty much implied that I had as I was comparing the differences between them.

I'm not sure exactly what kind of answer you are looking for. Those of us that have used both types have given you information between the two different types of keeping your engine battery(s) charged while connected to shore power.

Both types will do exactly the same thing, just have a difference of application.

Ron

"007" · 08-26-2016, 02:37 PM

No flaming just statements of facts, if you use one of them devises you will be hooking up to your house batteries while coach is disconnected from shore power.
The Bird or B.I.M maintain all your battery systems while hooked up to shore power or by your alternator when your driving.
If your dry camping you will need to monitor your house batteries so you will have enough power to start your Gen and restart you Gen to recharge your batteries or you will not be going anywhere.
Another sulution can be solar panels if coach is not covered.
Three threads from the BS section of QT's # 3. #1 --- #2 ---- # 3
Just read some of the solutions to your problem.
Your not the only BS owner with this problem if you are losing battery power while coach is in storage mode.
Some BS owners have resorted to removing their batteries and charging them at home during winter months.
You use the power from your house batteries to keep the chassis battery charged the house batteries have to be recharged from some place to do what you want.
If you have 110 available that's all you need with coach plugged in for your coach battery systems to be charged.
My coach and many other members have power source to keep all systems charged at home you only have to check the water levels during storage period, that was a pain in cold winter months so I changed my batteries to AGM type to remove that process and eliminate the messy battery shelf.