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05-18-2013, 04:26 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sk
Posts: 201
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__________________
Regards, Don
My ride is a 2005 Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" E-450, 256 watts Unisolar, 556 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, Magnum 3000 watt PSW inverter.
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05-19-2013, 07:45 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Merritt Island, FL
Posts: 1,742
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I prefer an echo charger that I installed on my diplomat.
It's more than a trickle charger
When connected up it monitors the house batteries. When the voltage on the house batteries is above it takes up 15 Amos to the chassis batteries. As the chassis batteries change up it just maintains them.
If the house batteries have a large load, it automatically disconnects the charger from the chassis batteries so all power goes to the house batteries.
Your chassis batteries always have some load on them and therefore are always discharging slowly. This keeps your batteries fresh at all times.
Good luck
Rick.
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05-19-2013, 02:38 PM
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#17
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 763
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x2 on the AMP-L-START. It's the upgrade (15 amps vs. 5 amps) to the popular Trik-L-Start which is still available but for the extra $16, I believe it's more bang for the buck to get the AMP-L-START. Both are made by LSL.
I believe the AMP-L-START does everything the Xantrex Echo Charger does but at half the purchase price.
-harry
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05-19-2013, 04:34 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 24
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Ok, so far I've learned a couple things: First, it appears my system is working as intended (still need to do the test Tom described). Second, I do not like the way these systems are designed!
Seams dumb to me that mfg's would design RV electrical systems incapable of keeping all the batts charged/maintained while on shore power. I mean, most RV owners keep their rigs parked for weeks or months at a time between trips. The percentage of RV owners who are full-timers is a minority. They're the ones who probably would not need one not need one.
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05-19-2013, 07:56 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 508
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If you are sure the engine alternator is charging your coach batteries when the engine is running, that test will only tell us how that is accomplished. The relay in your picture doesn't look like a constant duty relay. It probably is just to combine the batteries if the chassis battery won't start the motor. I agree that it is necessary to keep all the batteries charged. Many changes have taken place. Many coaches now use a Battery Control Center or Bidirectional isolator relay delay to do just that. You have a couple of options. I use a battery maintainer that I bought at Walmart for $20.00. I think the Trik-L-Start or similar device is good too. I hope you didn't buy a new convertor because of this. Sounds like it is a much better one than came with the coach.
Tom
__________________
2014 KZ Durango Goldrush
2018 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax/Allison
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05-20-2013, 12:33 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Merritt Island, FL
Posts: 1,742
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Hi Amanda
I did some reading on the Amp-L-start. I agree with you. It looks a little better than the echo charger, which I have. I like the fact they both goto a 15 amp max charging. The Low voltage alarm for the chassis battery is a plus on the Amp- L-Start.
Thanks for the info.
Rick.
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05-20-2013, 09:38 PM
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#21
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 763
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gorlininc
Hi Amanda
I did some reading on the Amp-L-start. I agree with you. It looks a little better than the echo charger, which I have. I like the fact they both goto a 15 amp max charging. The Low voltage alarm for the chassis battery is a plus on the Amp- L-Start.
Thanks for the info.
Rick.
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Hi Rick, sorry, we really didn't mean to contradict what you had suggested. The Echo Charger has been around for a long time and works well. It's just that we have had good luck with the Trik-L-Start and since the new Amp-L-Start is now being sold, it sure sounds like the better deal. Like we've both concluded, it appears that it does everything the Echo Charger does but at half the price.
We do agree with the OP that it is baffling why more motorhome manufacturers do not include such a device as standard as it is a very low cost item. Ours came from the factory with a Trik-L-Start but it was the first year that they started installing them as standard equipment from the factory. The 2006 and earlier Winnebago pushers didn't have them.
-harry and amanda
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05-24-2013, 08:27 AM
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#22
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Merritt Island, FL
Posts: 1,742
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Hi Harry and Amanda
I think manufacturers put in as little as they can get away with. I don't think it's the cost if putting these things in, it's another system to break and to warrantee.
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