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04-10-2021, 10:32 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Arkansas
Posts: 94
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Direct Charging Battery Bank with Outside Charger
Is it possible to use a standard 12v battery charger to directly charge a bank of 6v batteries (configured in series to deliver 12v to the the coach)? Our rented storage provides a GFCI 20 amp service that trips when plugged into our Newmar Kountry Star. The Newmar forum states this isn’t unusual. We are looking for a work around to keep the batteries charged and inverter working to run the fridge in between trips without depending on the generator. I’d plug the fridge directly into the GFCI but the cord is hidden behind a cabinet. TIA
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Mike & Mary, Hobie (Springer) & Baxter (Devil Dog)
2020 Newmar Kountry Star (Anna Karina)
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
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04-10-2021, 10:56 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Clovis NM
Posts: 4,389
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Sure. But I’d use a smart charger, or a regular one on float setting, otherwise you could boil the batteries.
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2006 Damon Daybreak 3276 35'with 5 Star Tuner. 3 200 Amp Lithium batteries and 2000 watt PSW inverter/charger. 2013 Elantra on a Master Tow dolly.
Retired USAF
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04-12-2021, 09:19 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club American Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,767
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If you only plug in the charger to a 20 amp breaker, it should not trip. Have they changed the breaker, they wear out?
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2014 American Eagle 45T
DD 13, 500 HP
Pulling a Honda CRV
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04-12-2021, 09:22 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,881
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Yes, you can use a standard charger or BETTER, a smart one.
If "dumb" one, plug it into a HD timer and only run it for an hour or so a day. That will not overcharge the batteries.
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Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38FDDS. Ex: 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
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04-12-2021, 09:42 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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You have a 12v battery bank. Just view each pair of 6v batteries as a 12v battery. With multiple 12v battery pairs wired in parallel.
Yes. Many RVs don't play well with a GFCI.
An intelligent charger such as from NOCO would be preferable.
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Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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04-12-2021, 10:48 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 11,441
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Make sure it can put out ample current to support the inverter for the refer.
I'm thinking one capable of about ten amps.
You might try turning off all breakers in the rv and plugging. Once plugged in if the gfci does not trip try turning on the main breaker/s and then just the converter/inverter.
If you have a control on your built in charger set it to a very low charge rate. 10-20% will be plenty when just keeping up.
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Certified Senior Electronic Technician, Telecommunications Engineer, Telecommunications repair Service Center Owner, Original owner HR 2008
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04-13-2021, 10:00 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Arkansas
Posts: 94
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It’s a new outlet. I tested it with a GFI tester and it tested fine. I’ve heard GFI outlets and motorhomes often don’t play well together. I found if I turn off all breakers except the inverter the outlet doesn’t trip.
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Mike & Mary, Hobie (Springer) & Baxter (Devil Dog)
2020 Newmar Kountry Star (Anna Karina)
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
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04-13-2021, 10:10 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Arkansas
Posts: 94
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Thanks! Turning off all breakers except the inverter and fridge did keep the GFI from tripping. I still get a Wiring Status Error from the onboard EMS monitor, but not sure is related to the GFI. The GFI outlet tests correctly using a handheld circuit tester. I plan on contacting the EMS manufacturer (Precision Circuits) for guidance.
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Mike & Mary, Hobie (Springer) & Baxter (Devil Dog)
2020 Newmar Kountry Star (Anna Karina)
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
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04-13-2021, 05:51 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Braidwood Il.
Posts: 8,300
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Can you also just plug in the fridge ? You can get a decent 20 amp marine dual bank charger maintainer for around $150-200 and maintain both sets. It can handle a beating of being mounted in RV and moisture of open floor bay.
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95 Monaco Crown Royale
M11 400hp, 4060 trans.
Aquahot, Generac Guardian7.5k
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04-13-2021, 06:00 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Lansing MI
Posts: 2,825
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If you plan on getting a charger get a regulated (smart) charger by all means. I once cooked a brand new battery over the winter with a 2 amp trickle charger. I don't know what your refrigerator draws but it will likely be more than a battery maintainer (also incorrectly called a trickle charger these days) can manage. Good luck.
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04-13-2021, 06:15 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 11,441
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If you have a control on your built in charger set it to a very low charge rate. 10-20% will be plenty when just keeping up.[/QUOTE]
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Certified Senior Electronic Technician, Telecommunications Engineer, Telecommunications repair Service Center Owner, Original owner HR 2008
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04-13-2021, 08:47 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Braidwood Il.
Posts: 8,300
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His coach plugged in trips GFCI. It could be wrongly neutral and ground bonded in CB panel many have found that.
My Tripplite inverter seems to trip a gfci only when set to charge only and then occasionally and then wont reset at all unless on invert. Happens right about the time I quit religiously checking on it to make sure batts are being charged.
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95 Monaco Crown Royale
M11 400hp, 4060 trans.
Aquahot, Generac Guardian7.5k
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04-14-2021, 12:20 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 4,336
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Better easier (might be), turn off all breakers except CONVERTER, and see if GFCI still trips?
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(TerryH.) 2000-GS Conquest Limited 6266 Class-C 99-E450SD V10
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04-14-2021, 01:08 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,413
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Quote:
Originally Posted by THenne1713
Better easier (might be), turn off all breakers except CONVERTER, and see if GFCI still trips?
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The rig is equipped with an inverter/charger.
There is no CONVERTER to leave on.
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