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11-21-2012, 04:30 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,569
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Battery tender
I have a 2005 American Tradition with a Caterpillar. My problem is the cranking batteries seems to not be charged when plugged in to shore power. A friend of mine has the same year, engine as I do and his doesn't either. My question is are we both experiencing the same failure or does this year not charge the cranking battery's? This is my fourth AC and the other three I thought charged the bat's when on shore power.
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American Tradition 42R-Cadillac SRX Blue Ox Koni 5050XL MCD Scangauge D Samsung rf197
Fulltime since 2012
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11-21-2012, 05:32 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Clermont fl
Posts: 182
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Is it possible the charger is connected to the house batteries?
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J.Chet USAF LTC Retired
Teddy & Bella (Soft Coated Wheaten's)
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11-21-2012, 06:49 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,324
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A VOM will tell you if the battery is charging.
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11-21-2012, 07:11 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,569
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It is definitely not charging, that isn't the question.
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American Tradition 42R-Cadillac SRX Blue Ox Koni 5050XL MCD Scangauge D Samsung rf197
Fulltime since 2012
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11-24-2012, 05:46 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,777
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My 1999 Safari TREK has the same issue, however, there is a 110V receptacle in a bay next to the engine battery. I plugged in a battery tender and the wires are long enough to reach the engine battery so it is charged when I store the RV plugged in to shore power. I used zip ties to mount everything and leave the battery maintainer permanently installed. I haven't seen any problems after two years since a "maintainer" will cut off when the battery reaches full charge.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 336muffin
It is definitely not charging, that isn't the question.
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George Schweikle Lexington, KY
2005 Safari (Monaco)Trek 28RB2, Workhorse W20, 8.1, Allison 1000 5 spd, UltraPower engine & tranny, Track bars & sway bars, KONI FSD, FMCA 190830, Safari Int'l. chapter. 1999 Safari Trek 2830, 1995 Safari Trek 2430, 1983 Winnebago Chieftain, 1976 Midas Mini
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11-24-2012, 05:52 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,569
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Thanks George, I'm looking at a Deltron unit with 1 1/5 amp capacity. I too have a 110v outlet close to the battery's. I have been using a auto battery charger set on 2amps, this keeps both of my cranking bats topped off nicely for the past week..
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American Tradition 42R-Cadillac SRX Blue Ox Koni 5050XL MCD Scangauge D Samsung rf197
Fulltime since 2012
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11-24-2012, 07:43 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 605
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Trik-L-Start
This is a great product. I've used it on my last two MHs with great results.
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Steve, Mary & Buddy our 2-year-old Chihuahua mix
1995 36' HR Endeavor, 460 w/Banks, 2005 PT Cruiser
Fulltimers originally from Michigan, hanging out in Oregon for a spell.
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11-24-2012, 08:16 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,569
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Redwing, that sorta works like a battery isolater. Thanks
__________________
American Tradition 42R-Cadillac SRX Blue Ox Koni 5050XL MCD Scangauge D Samsung rf197
Fulltime since 2012
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11-24-2012, 09:45 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,529
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RedWing Nut
Trik-L-Start
This is a great product. I've used it on my last two MHs with great results.
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X2!!
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11-24-2012, 09:50 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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For this discussion RV's fall into two groups.
Mine has what is called a Bi-Directional Battery Isolator (BIRD) which means the house converter charges all the batteries (provided the house batteries are full up) as does the alternator (once the engine battery is full up) Works great.
Many other RV's have these too
And many more do not. They have the older one-way isolators.
IF yours is one of those. there is a device called a "Trick-l-start" it hooks up with 3 wires at your isolator solenoid, one to each of the big terminals, one to ground, very easy to install, and provides the "Reverse path" (house to chassis)
A battery Tender or Battery minder on the chassis battery also can do the job but takes 120 volt to feed it.
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Home is where I park it!
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