Community Forums

winnie32v · 06-13-2016, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monacoach

Will be buying some sort of battery maintainer to keep the chassis batteries topped up. Currently I use a battery charger placed in the compartment next to the battery compartment. I know that trickle start can be placed directly in the battery compartment and it connects the chassis batteries to the house batteries with no electric chord.

My question is.....is it safe to place a small battery minder which will be powered via an extension chord....directly in the battery compartment.

My 2001 Winnebago DOES NOT have a system that charges the Engine Battery when plugged into shore power. The Coach batteries DO have an internal charging system as well as a solar panel.

SO, I purchased a Battery Tender from Harbor Freight (appx $4.99 - 5.99) and attached it to my Engine Battery. Since my batteries are under a removable entry step, I just ran the wire from the battery compartment along the wall behind the recliner to the nearest 110v outlet near the passenger seat.

Result: I have been doing this for years and it keeps my engine battery at ~13.5v all of the time. My coach batteries are charged via the inverter and are also maintained at ~13.5v.

I DO check the acid level in all batteries every few months and never had a problem with overheating or loss of fluid.

For me, this was an easy and very functional fix for ensuring that my batteries are kept at maximum charge all of the time.

Monacoach · 06-13-2016, 07:12 PM

Battery tender...I will check in to that
Thanks

wanderso · 06-13-2016, 11:23 PM

I have 2 different ones that have worked well. The battery tender, Jr. and those from Ctek. http://smartercharger.com.

skypilot_1 · 06-14-2016, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis45

My bad, There are many choices for battery minders on the market. Mount it anywhere convenient to connect to the chassis batteries as long as it's high and dry and not exposed to moisture. I have a 3A unit from Costco I use on my Tbird while its parked in the garage for long periods. If you buy one, make sure it has the three modes, bulk, absorption and float.

Dennis, I see you list "ISC 8.3 Banks Power". I had an ISB 5.9 with Banks Stringer kit. Then got an ISC 8.3 in a coach. But Gale Banks didn't make a kit for that engine....?