Community Forums

Xpress21 · 05-24-2023, 09:25 AM

Called TIffin and was told House AND Chassis but thinking this is incorrect information. Our question… do Chassis batteries charge when plugged into shore power ? Looking to us like they do NOT.

What is everyone doing to keep Chassis battery charged when in storage for several months? Disconnect? Trickle charge? Recommendations ?

Next Question….

Are House batteries maintenance free or flooded cell where we must add water?

Thank you for the help in advanced !

Shadow5501 · 05-24-2023, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xpress21

Called TIffin and was told House AND Chassis but thinking this is incorrect information. Our question… do Chassis batteries charge when plugged into shore power ? Looking to us like they do NOT.

What is everyone doing to keep Chassis battery charged when in storage for several months? Disconnect? Trickle charge? Recommendations ?

Next Question….

Are House batteries maintenance free or flooded cell where we must add water?

Thank you for the help in advanced !

If your new 2023 functions the same as my 2021 Open Road, then the inverter charges the house batteries but does not charge the chassis battery during storage. Note this is different than on most of the Tiffin diesel motor homes. For extended storage I use a Battery Tender jr. on the chassis battery powered by an extension cord to the power pole or perhaps one of the plugs in a storage bay. It is sufficient to keep the chassis battery fully charged.

The house batteries are flooded lead acid. They will need occasional additions of distilled water. On your floor plan I believe they are located under the entry steps.

Xpress21 · 05-24-2023, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow5501

If your new 2023 functions the same as my 2021 Open Road, then the inverter charges the house batteries but does not charge the chassis battery during storage. Note this is different than on most of the Tiffin diesel motor homes. For extended storage I use a Battery Tender jr. on the chassis battery powered by an extension cord to the power pole or perhaps one of the plugs in a storage bay. It is sufficient to keep the chassis battery fully charged.

The house batteries are flooded lead acid. They will need occasional additions of distilled water. On your floor plan I believe they are located under the entry steps.

Thank you for the help. Is the Battery Tender Jr enough for car/truck/RV battery…the amazon description says ATV, Scooter etc?

House Batteries how often does water level need to be checked to add distilled water? Geez this is dark ages. Didn’t even know there were still flooded cell thought about all was maintenance free now

Shadow5501 · 05-24-2023, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xpress21

Thank you for the help. Is the Battery Tender Jr enough for car/truck/RV battery…the amazon description says ATV, Scooter etc?

It works fine for me, and I have the same Ford V8 chassis as do you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xpress21

House Batteries how often does water level need to be checked to add distilled water? Geez this is dark ages. Didn’t even know there were still flooded cell thought about all was maintenance free now

This really depends on usage, how frequently they are discharged and recharged. My rig is mostly on shore power both in storage and when camping. I don’t boondock much. I check them perhaps 3 times per year. They always need some topping up, but have never been low enough for it to be a problem.

dssl · 05-24-2023, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xpress21

Thank you for the help. Is the Battery Tender Jr enough for car/truck/RV battery…the amazon description says ATV, Scooter etc?

House Batteries how often does water level need to be checked to add distilled water? Geez this is dark ages. Didn’t even know there were still flooded cell thought about all was maintenance free now

Before swapping to LIFEPO4 I would top it off once a month while exercising the generator, which they recommend 1 hour at 50% load.

If you install a battery fill kit it's quick and easy to add water.

One thing you can do is put your coach on a timer so it only charges an hour or 2 a day, this would greatly reduce the amount of water being boiled off.

High Road Travelers · 05-24-2023, 09:22 PM

On my 2018 Open Road 32SA I have four 6 volt coach batteries in the very back basement compartment on passenger side and I check the water every couple months and need to add a little 2 or 3 times a year.
My 12 volt chassis battery is a sealed no maintenance battery.
My coach batteries and my chassis battery are charged automatically with my inverter/converter when plugged in to shore power or on generator. The coach batteries have preference on charging and chassis battery is charged after coach batteries are charged.
Both batteries are also charged with the chassis engine running and I believe the chassis battery has preference then.
I keep my MH plugged in to 30 amp shore power while stored at home and all batteries stay charged.
At least that is the way I understand mine to work.
Thanks,

harleyjt · 05-24-2023, 10:34 PM

I don't understand. You called Tiffin and they (the guys that designed, built and service the coach) told you both battery banks charge while on shore power. Why do you not believe them? I'm no expert on this by any means, but I'd be extremely surprised if Tiffin didn't charge both battery banks while on shore power. Heck, my old 2005 Newmar gasser charged both. I'm thinking there is a merge solenoid somewhere that takes care of this function.
jt

Shadow5501 · 05-25-2023, 10:53 AM

I checked the Spyder Controls website and the 2023 Open Roadmodels function the same as the previous couple of years. There is a merge solenoid, and there are two inputs that. An trigger it to close. 1) Turnon the ignition, 2) press the AuxStart switch on the dash. Spyder is also explicit that they do not trigger merge functionality for the Open Road.

That contradicts what Tiffin told the OP, alignsxwith what they are observing, and is consistent with the previous couple of model years.

harleyjt · 05-28-2023, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow5501

I checked the Spyder Controls website and the 2023 Open Roadmodels function the same as the previous couple of years. There is a merge solenoid, and there are two inputs that. An trigger it to close. 1) Turnon the ignition, 2) press the AuxStart switch on the dash. Spyder is also explicit that they do not trigger merge functionality for the Open Road.

That contradicts what Tiffin told the OP, alignsxwith what they are observing, and is consistent with the previous couple of model years.

Strange. They merge the batteries driving down the road from the engine alternator but not off shore power. I’m just baffled why they wouldn’t charge chassis from shore. So I guess the only answer is to add a trickle charger. Really surprises me.

High Road Travelers · 05-28-2023, 08:30 PM

I have never had to charge my chassis battery nor my house batteries. They stay charged while driving or while plugged in to shore power.
Thanks,

dssl · 05-29-2023, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by High Road Travelers

I have never had to charge my chassis battery nor my house batteries. They stay charged while driving or while plugged in to shore power.
Thanks,

Unless something has been added your chassis batteries will only charge when you run the motor, and not while plugged in.

On a Tiffin diesel the chassis batteries do get charged by activating the merge relay when plugged in under appropriate conditions. It's a bit of a head scratcher why they don't do this on an Open Road gas, since it wouldn't add any significant cost.

The parasitic draw on the F53 seems to be low enough that it's only an issue if you go a few months without driving, or if your chassis battery is weak. I put a trickle charger on my chassis battery while in storage to keep it fully charged, which will make it last longer, plus I don't need to worry if it will have enough charge when I want to start it.