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Old 05-05-2014, 01:32 AM   #1
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Trickle Charger

I'm told I need a trickle charger. Would you mind checking out this Trickle Charger | 2024 | Nuera Trailer Parts site that I'm looking at for one and give opinion?

Also, if I already have one, where would it be? How can I know if I already have one.

And, I read somewhere that for an initial full charge I should stay plugged in for about a week. Please give your opinions/advise. I soooo trust you all!

Again, Thank you!
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Old 05-05-2014, 06:39 AM   #2
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See about adding your specific RV in your signature or include it in your post. Your RV may already have a charger built in.
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Old 05-05-2014, 06:43 AM   #3
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Why do you think you need a trickle charger? How many house batteries do you have and what kind of problems are you having with them? You probably have a converter charger that should charge your batteries when you are hooked up to shore power or on generator power. But there are several other things that can cause battery problems if you can give us more information I'm sure someone can help you.
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Old 05-05-2014, 01:47 PM   #4
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First 1994 southwind Fleetwood. I'm not having any problems with my 2 house batteries, I was told that a trickle charger would help keep them from overcharging, which could cause them to develop problems?

Re: converter - Fleetwood has told me that 1994 coach (and others from those earlier years) are not wired for converter at all. So to boondock means to be generator-reliant.

Thanks for the assist!
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Old 05-05-2014, 02:25 PM   #5
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You will want a auto. float/maintainer charger...Stanley brand 1.5 - 2 amp. $20 at Wal-Mart. I have 3 of them in use now.
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Old 05-05-2014, 02:58 PM   #6
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Can you find the model number of your charger/converter. It may already have a trickle charge built in.
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Old 05-05-2014, 03:18 PM   #7
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A trickle charger is great for maintaining your batteries while in storage but would be way to slow for charging batteries while in use. Have you found your converter? It's probably in one of the front storage bays and will be plugged into a 110 outlet. If you can get the model nbr. Google it that should get you all of the information for it.
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Old 05-06-2014, 03:39 AM   #8
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If you please, what is float/maintainer charger?

So a trickle charger is for long standing? How long is too long to have my rv plugged in, if I'm inside 24/7, mostly just keeping batteries charged?

I have no idea where to look for my converter or what it looks like or does. Please educate me on this, or where can I read up on it for myself?
THANK YOU ALL!!
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Old 05-06-2014, 06:20 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShelleyFunny View Post
If you please, what is float/maintainer charger?

So a trickle charger is for long standing? How long is too long to have my rv plugged in, if I'm inside 24/7, mostly just keeping batteries charged?

I have no idea where to look for my converter or what it looks like or does. Please educate me on this, or where can I read up on it for myself?
THANK YOU ALL!!
What year/model is your class A or C coach. Maybe someone with a similar coach can tell you where the charger/converter is.

A charger/converter does two jobs. One, keeps your batteries charged when plugged into shore power. Two, it converts shore power (110vac) into 12vdc to run everything in your coach that requires 12 volts. Not all chargers are the same even though they all do the same job which is to charge the batteries. The differences are in how much power (amperage) they charge the batteries with. Some just provide one power all of the time. Other models will provide a more powerful power at first and then switch into a lower power to keep the battery maintained. Then there are the really smart ones that constantly monitor your battery. A trickle charger is usually a small plug in the wall charger that put's a trickle (really low power) of constant charge on the battery. One thing to note is that you can't really overcharge these batteries. The number one problem is when the battery gets low on water exposing the lead plates inside which damages/shortens the life of the battery.

There is a lot to talk about batteries, but I think this will give you an idea. Being that batteries are so expensive, a charger that provides different rates of charging or a smart charger is a good investment. That's why I was asking on the model number to see if you already have a good charger in it.

Don't forget to check the water level in the batteries too.

BTW, the charger/converter is usually in the basement or close to where the shore power cord comes into the coach.

In the photo below you can see the charger/converter pointed by a red arrow. The one with the blue arrow is the transfer switch. The transfer switch automatically switches sources between shore power and generator so that they don't both feed power to your coach simultaneously.

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Old 05-06-2014, 09:25 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShelleyFunny View Post
If you please, what is float/maintainer charger?

So a trickle charger is for long standing? How long is too long to have my rv plugged in, if I'm inside 24/7, mostly just keeping batteries charged?

I have no idea where to look for my converter or what it looks like or does. Please educate me on this, or where can I read up on it for myself?
THANK YOU ALL!!
You have an older MH and your current converter is likely over charging your house batteries while not in use. Use the charger below when your unit is in storage.


Amazon.com: Stanley BC209 Battery Maintainer: Automotive
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Old 05-06-2014, 06:53 PM   #11
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I'm still trying to figure out why you need a trickle charger, if your not having a problem with your batteries the system must be working like it has for the last twenty years why fix it now? I don't think it's broken and it sounds like someone was trying to sell you something you may not need or know how to use I'd give it some time until you get used to your motorhome and it's systems. When someone tells you that you need something ask why get them to explain it so you understand some people will sell you stuff you don't need just to milk your pockets. After your batteries run down while you are boondocking you will still be at the mercy of your generator the trickle charger uses 120 volt power to charge and will take forever if your in your motor home while plugged in and using lights, refrigerator, exaust fans, ect. You shouldn't have a problem with overcharging. Jmho
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Old 05-09-2014, 07:05 PM   #12
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I'm going to research more about the converter and go out and look for mine. I heard of trickle charger in a youtube video, I thought it was a new technology that could add years to an old coach Thank you all. Now on to my automatic leveling jacks...
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Old 05-09-2014, 10:19 PM   #13
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It sounds like you want to make sure that while your coach is being stored #1 that you are charging your batteries. #2 that you are not over charging them. Correct? First, when the coach is in storage, do you keep it plugged in all the time? Secondly, you definitely have some sort of converter/charger so if you keep it plugged in all the time, the question is, is it an older charger/converter that charges at one continuous rate or is it a newer "smart" charger that automatically senses your batteries state of charge and raises or lowers the state of charge to suit the amount of power your batteries need. If it is the type that charges at one continuous rate and you keep the coach plugged in all the time while in storage then yes, you could be over charging your batteries. If it is a smart charger then you can leave it plugged in all the time and you should be fine. In either case, you need to check the water levels in your batteries at least once a month. If you find that your converter only charges at one constant rate, you have a couple choices. You could replace your current converter with a smart converter or purchase a separate smart battery charger like the one that somebody here linked to and keep that running while in storage. Find your converter and try and get the model # or shoot a pic with your cell phone and post it here. We will then be able to tell you what you have and what direction to proceed.
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Old 05-09-2014, 10:26 PM   #14
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To answer your other question. A trickle charger does just as its name suggests. It trickles a tiny amount of current at a constant rate. A trickle charger will not charge a discharged battery, it will only maintain a battery that is fully charged to begin with.
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