Community Forums

TandCplusRV · 02-03-2014, 03:24 PM

On my 2006 National SeaBreeze, when I plug into shore power, both my chassis and house batteries get fully charged. I've heard that on some coaches, only the deep cycle house battery gets charged when plugged into shore and the chassis battery gets left out of the loop. This is my first motorhome so I had no idea to keep an eye out for this. What am I looking for in subsequent coach specifications that tells me shore power will charge both batteries? I would have assumed this was universal but don't think that's the case.

al2ride · 02-03-2014, 03:27 PM

It's not universal. You have to ask the owner/salesman or grab a multimeter and check yourself.

bruceisla · 02-03-2014, 03:31 PM

Yes ... it's not universal. There are lot's of variables including what devices are installed, year of vehicle, and whether the installed charging devices are actually working correctly. Another crapshoot that can only be verified with a voltmeter (regardless of specifications).

TandCplusRV · 02-03-2014, 06:14 PM

Thanks folks! I'd hate to think the chassis batteries were being neglected while I'm plugged in at a campsite. My wife and I are weekend warriors and the coach sits in storage for 2-6 weeks in between outings so I'd hate to think of the poor neglected chassis battery not charging up on shore power.

Old Bounder · 02-03-2014, 06:44 PM

It may not be universal, but the last few years have seen most manufacturers get the message and start putting that capability into even their entry level coaches.

The last significant holdouts seemed to be Winnebago and Monaco.

Winnebago now installs a cheap little trickle charge unit in their gas coaches to accomplish chassis battery charging from shore power. I'm not familiar with how Monaco implemented theirs.

al2ride · 02-04-2014, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loulong

It may not be universal, but the last few years have seen most manufacturers get the message and start putting that capability into even their entry level coaches.

The last significant holdouts seemed to be Winnebago and Monaco.

Winnebago now installs a cheap little trickle charge unit in their gas coaches to accomplish chassis battery charging from shore power. I'm not familiar with how Monaco implemented theirs.

Agree, ours is also entry level and came with all the proven neat little things that makes everything easier. I'm glad ours has a nice smart charger that handles all three batteries and switches between source power. I just plug in to shore power and it takes of whatever the batteries need.

OLYLEN · 02-04-2014, 05:45 PM

The charging of chassis batteries on shore power is NOT a deal breaker on any MH. For under $150 any charging system can be converted or a new charging system for $50 can be installed just for the Start batteries.

LEN

Old Bounder · 02-04-2014, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLYLEN

The charging of chassis batteries on shore power is NOT a deal breaker on any MH. For under $150 any charging system can be converted or a new charging system for $50 can be installed just for the Start batteries.LEN

....And just what percentage of MH buyers do you think are knowledgeable enough to inquire or even know that a MH has batteries. Most won't even suspect a problem until they experience a costly dead battery situation.

Personally, it would be a deal breaker for me to know that in 2014, after most manufacturers have been installing the capability for more than two decades, that my manufacturer was cutting costs by eliminating such a low cost, yet valuable, feature. I would have to wonder, just where else are they building on the cheap. JMHO

I shouldn't have to put a $50 Band-aid on a $200K+ vehicle.

al2ride · 02-05-2014, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loulong

....And just what percentage of MH buyers do you think are knowledgeable enough to inquire or even know that a MH has batteries. Most won't even suspect a problem until they experience a costly dead battery situation.

Personally, it would be a deal breaker for me to know that in 2014, after most manufacturers have been installing the capability for more than two decades, that my manufacturer was cutting costs by eliminating such a low cost, yet valuable, feature. I would have to wonder, just where else are they building on the cheap. JMHO

I shouldn't have to put a $50 Band-aid on a $200K+ vehicle.

+1
Even if you pay 80k.

bruceisla · 02-05-2014, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loulong

....And just what percentage of MH buyers do you think are knowledgeable enough to inquire or even know that a MH has batteries. Most won't even suspect a problem until they experience a costly dead battery situation.

Personally, it would be a deal breaker for me to know that in 2014, after most manufacturers have been installing the capability for more than two decades, that my manufacturer was cutting costs by eliminating such a low cost, yet valuable, feature. I would have to wonder, just where else are they building on the cheap. JMHO

I shouldn't have to put a $50 Band-aid on a $200K+ vehicle.

Well .... I guess I'm from the "less is more" generation. I don't need, or want, any "features" that are decided upon by a manufacturer without an input from the purchasing end user. Yes, if you are buying a used item, you won't get a choice.

To me, many of these "features" are like the "Here's a pill for that discomfort, and here's another for the side effect of the first pill, and here's a few for ..."

al2ride · 02-05-2014, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceisla

Well .... I guess I'm from the "less is more" generation. I don't need, or want, any "features" that are decided upon by a manufacturer without an input from the purchasing end user. Yes, if you are buying a used item, you won't get a choice.

To me, many of these "features" are like the "Here's a pill for that discomfort, and here's another for the side effect of the first pill, and here's a few for ..."

Agree, but this one is a must have. You are going to have to charge your batteries sooner or later. I rather have the manufacturer neatly install a converter/charger than have to do it myself later or have to manually charge the batteries.

If less is more, then try driving without power steering.

bruceisla · 02-05-2014, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al2ride

If less is more, then try driving without power steering.

Do it every day ... 1996 Geo Tracker.

brobox · 02-05-2014, 06:12 AM

My last MH did not have a duel charger. I thought it did until my chassis batteries kept going dead.

An easy test, unplug the MH after you have the batteries fully charged. Check the chassis batteries with a volt meter and write down the voltage. Turn the head lights on for about 20 minutes, then off. Check the batteries with volt meter again. Plug the MH back in to shore power, wait a couple of minutes for the charger to kick in and check the batteries with a volt meter again. If the voltage increases you have a duel charger.

If you do not have a duel charger, this solved my problem. I left it connected 24/7. I did wire an electrical outlet to my battery compartment so the connection was easy. Automatic Battery Charger - 12V They are often on sale for $4.99. Don't let the price fool you, mine worked great for 6 years and was still working when I sold the MH. The batteries were always at 13.5 volts even after 6 months of storage.