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Old 02-09-2013, 08:21 AM   #1
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Need Assistance with Connecting BatteryMinder

I have a BatteryMinder model 12248 that can maintain up to six 12 volt batteries. I have two 12V chassis batteries and six 6-volts. The six volt batteries are connected such that they make three 12-volt batteries. The BatteryMinder instructions state to connect the batteries as shown in the following diagram.

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My question is how do I connect my chassis batteries to the house batteries for my BatteryMinder? My second question is can I leave these connectors on when I’m not using the BatteryMinder?
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Old 02-09-2013, 08:30 AM   #2
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I am not sure about the 'house' batteries as I let the inverter take care of them. I do have my Battery Tender connected to the chassis batteries like you show. Since I just use the clips, I removed them when we are traveling.
Hope that this helps.
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Old 02-09-2013, 08:39 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by srh;1457755

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33237[/ATTACH]

My question is how do I connect my chassis batteries to the house batteries for my BatteryMinder? My second question is can I leave these connectors on when I’m not using the BatteryMinder?

For charging purposes it may pay to remember that starting, and house (deep cycle) battery's are not only different in application, manufacture, and use , but have different charging levels and time periods.

If you connect them together for any significant time period, both sets of battery's would be compromised as to longevity, and reliability.

There's a reason that the switch, on some rigs, that connects the house battery's to the start battery's (to spin the starter faster really) is a momentary switch which makes sure that the connection is short timed!

Two to those BatteryMinders would be in order here IMHO.

Ed
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Old 02-09-2013, 09:38 AM   #4
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We also have the 8 amp units, and they state they can do multiple parallel batteries, but they do not care much for a pair of 8 D, so do not try what you are thinking.

Place one unit on each Battery set.

You still may need to reset often until it is happy

We added an additional HF unit that floats the coach batteries to conpensate for parasitic loads, it allows the charge to be close enough for the minder to complete its cycle and be happy
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Old 02-09-2013, 10:07 AM   #5
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Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed-Sommers View Post
For charging purposes it may pay to remember that starting, and house (deep cycle) battery's are not only different in application, manufacture, and use , but have different charging levels and time periods.

If you connect them together for any significant time period, both sets of battery's would be compromised as to longevity, and reliability.

There's a reason that the switch, on some rigs, that connects the house battery's to the start battery's (to spin the starter faster really) is a momentary switch which makes sure that the connection is short timed!

Two to those BatteryMinders would be in order here IMHO.

Ed
I have seen some posts on other forums where people have connected the chassis and the coach batteries sing the BatteryMinder, but I want to make sure. What you are saying makes good sense. Thank you kindly!
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Old 02-09-2013, 10:12 AM   #6
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Thank You

Quote:
Originally Posted by TQ60 View Post
We also have the 8 amp units, and they state they can do multiple parallel batteries, but they do not care much for a pair of 8 D, so do not try what you are thinking.

Place one unit on each Battery set.

You still may need to reset often until it is happy

We added an additional HF unit that floats the coach batteries to conpensate for parasitic loads, it allows the charge to be close enough for the minder to complete its cycle and be happy
What you and Ed are saying make perfect sense. Thank you or your suggestions.
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Old 02-12-2013, 06:35 PM   #7
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I charge my house and starting batteries separately. During the winter months I keep the BatterMinder on the house batteries with the battery disconnect switch to the "off" position. Once a month (for a couple of days) I switch it to the starting (engine) battery, that disconnect is also kept in the off position. With the once a month switch I also check the water levels and top off when needed.

I purchased a additionnel Ring Terminal Harness, this way I can switch easily.

Two full seasons and no issues to report.
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Old 02-13-2013, 09:03 AM   #8
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Ed,
With a 2007 Allegro don't you have a built in converter/charger that will take care of one set of batteries? I have the same Battery Mider that you have and i think I read where you should not charge dissimilar voltage batteries.

My coach is a different manufacturer and it only has a 600W converter charger. I have electricity at my storage site. Originally when it was plugged in I would turn off the disconnects for both service and house systems. Within a few weeks when I started the engine the service battery would show 11.2 or so volts. I called the manufacturer and I was advised that I should leave both service and house battery disconnects in the on position if I wanted to charge the system, and to turn the step off as the step motor had a constant current on it. I can leave my coace for 3 months, and when I start it now it shows 12.8V. Just some food for thought, call the MFG.

You may want to give the Battery Minder people a call for reall clarification.

Happy trails.
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Old 02-13-2013, 09:09 AM   #9
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Thanks

That is a good idea, Gene! I went ahead and ordered a 2012 model also. That way I will have the house batteries on one with the main switch turned off and the two chassis batteries on the 2012.
Regards,
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Old 02-13-2013, 07:39 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed-Sommers View Post
For charging purposes it may pay to remember that starting, and house (deep cycle) battery's are not only different in application, manufacture, and use , but have different charging levels and time periods.

If you connect them together for any significant time period, both sets of battery's would be compromised as to longevity, and reliability.

There's a reason that the switch, on some rigs, that connects the house battery's to the start battery's (to spin the starter faster really) is a momentary switch which makes sure that the connection is short timed!
Ed
This is NOT a concern. When you are driving down the road, your house and chassis batteries are connected together for several hours a day, and charged by the engine alternator.

If you have a coach which uses any version of the Intellitec or RV Custom Products Battery Control Center (BCC), the two banks are always connected together when shore power is present unless one of the Disconnect switches is turned OFF.

My house and chassis batteries have been connected together (either driving or parked with shore power connected) for over fifteen years, and my batteries generally last 7 to 6 years. Where's the problem.
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Old 02-14-2013, 10:36 AM   #11
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You have 3 options.

Easiest, Locate the battery isolator solenoid and use a simple jumper (need not be heavy duty) across the two largest terminals on it.

Middle: Run a standard automotive jumper cable from the POSITIVE on one set of batteries to the POSITIVE on the other (Frame handles the other side)

Best: 2nd battery minder, this one smaller.

Those 3 pair of six volt are the equal of six (or more) 12 volt by the way so that's the size battery minder you have.
(That is based on the size of 12 volt battery they are talking about when they say "up to six" I've used much bigger 12 volt batteries).
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Old 02-15-2013, 10:29 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by wa8yxm View Post
You have 3 options.

Easiest, Locate the battery isolator solenoid and use a simple jumper (need not be heavy duty) across the two largest terminals on it.

Middle: Run a standard automotive jumper cable from the POSITIVE on one set of batteries to the POSITIVE on the other (Frame handles the other side)

Best: 2nd battery minder, this one smaller.

Those 3 pair of six volt are the equal of six (or more) 12 volt by the way so that's the size battery minder you have.
(That is based on the size of 12 volt battery they are talking about when they say "up to six" I've used much bigger 12 volt batteries).
Thanks, that is helpful. I have 3 pairs of six volts, and just put the Battery Minder Clips on the Positive an Negative main lines that go out of the coach batteries. I used a volt meter to check the main line and also each 6-v. pair and see they are charging. For this, I didn't make any other wiring connections.
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