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Old 11-21-2012, 04:30 PM   #1
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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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Old 11-21-2012, 05:32 PM   #2
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Is it possible the charger is connected to the house batteries?
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Old 11-21-2012, 06:49 PM   #3
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A VOM will tell you if the battery is charging.
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Old 11-21-2012, 07:11 PM   #4
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It is definitely not charging, that isn't the question.
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Old 11-24-2012, 05:46 AM   #5
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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.

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It is definitely not charging, that isn't the question.
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Old 11-24-2012, 05:52 AM   #6
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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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Old 11-24-2012, 07:43 AM   #7
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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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Old 11-24-2012, 08:16 AM   #8
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Redwing, that sorta works like a battery isolater. Thanks
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Old 11-24-2012, 09:45 AM   #9
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Trik-L-Start

This is a great product. I've used it on my last two MHs with great results.

X2!!
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Old 11-24-2012, 09:50 AM   #10
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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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