Lamber 415 Battery Maintainer. No charge on Chassis side

[Jeff753]

The green light is on. I have charge voltage between the ground lug and the house terminal but just static battery voltage on the chassis lug. I guess it has an internal diode that failed???
What are people replacing these with? Anyone use the "new" Lambert? The LE-415 RV-Battery-Maintainer - The Product




Jeff
2001 Dynasty Regent tag axle
Cummins 350 8.3 ISC
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
FMCA U60 Task Force Chairman

[Dr4Film]

Jeff,

Are you sure that the Lambert is not working as it should? Have you gone through the testing procedure? I have attached the Lambert Troubleshooting PDF file for you to use if you don't have it.

It is my understanding that when hooked to shore power that your battery charging circuit which may include other devices other than the Lambert, charges the House batteries first and then the charge goes to the Chassis battery.

My charging circuit is most likely different on my Windsor than on your Dynasty so that won't help in posting that information.

However, to answer your question about what would be a good replacement, if you like the Lambert and want to spend the money you can buy a new one or you can purchase the Amp-L-Start which functions similarly.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Jeff753]

So far I know I had noticed my engine voltage was low prior to turning key. Tried to start and it turned 4 times and lost current. Hit the battery boost solenoid and started. Started checking the le415 and noticed it wasn't passing the charge from the fully charged house bank to the engine. It was 12.3volts (same as the measurement at the battery. Drove 4 hours today. Plugged in and it appears it's still not passing voltage. I haven't done the test yet but I had seen those. Thanks for sending them to me.
I saw the amp-l and the new version of the lambert le415. The lambert is $295 and the amp-l is about $80??
I have lifeline batteries so if the lambert is $200 better I don't mind spending the money too much.
Comments?
I'll advise on the test outcome. I'm pretty sure the diode between the house and chassis terminals on the Lambert is shot.

[Jeff753]

I learned by design there is a diode that prevents current from flowing "from the chassis battery" to the house batteries you can't discharge the house battery bank while camping. Current is supposed to flow from the house batteries to the chassis as the house batteries are charging (green led would be on). I spoke to Lambert engineering and they told me the only thing between my lit led and the chassis terminal is a 15 amp mini breaker that has likely failed. I ordered their new lambert 415 even though it's $290. They make them there in Oregon and they are ex Monaco guys. I'll still test the old one when I install the new one but I'm sure it's failed


Jeff
2001 Dynasty Regent tag axle
Cummins 350 8.3 ISC
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
FMCA U60 Task Force Chairman

[pphake]

When my Lambert failed I replaced it with an Echo Charge by Xantrex.
The specs seemed to be so similar.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The item is: Xantrex 82-0123-01 Echo Charge for 12 and 24V Systems from Amazon for about $100.

It was a simple swap and my chassis battery voltage now shows that Echo it is doing the job.

(On my rig, house and chassis battery banks are monitored 24/7 by LED voltmeters.)

[Dr4Film]

There are four similar devices to choose from for keeping the chassis battery charged while on shore or generator power.

They are the:

Lambert Battery Maintainer LE-415 for $290

Xantrex Digital Echo Charge for $115 on Amazon. (possibly cheaper)

Amp-L-Start for $60

Trik-L-Start for $45

The first three devices, Lambert, Xantrex Echo and the Amp-L-Start are all 15 amp chargers. The Trik-L-Start is a 5 amp charger.

Here is a link to the OLD Lambert Battery Maintainer web site where owners will find some valuable information.

Lambert Enterprises, Inc.

Dr4Film ----- Richard