Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

From what i have read this is a common problrm on older birds. How do
we prevent it? i hear about a automatic voltage regulator that will
keep the battries from drying out.
Thanks for all the good information that is wiliiingly shared.

re brake 1983 fc-35 sb

If it helps: my OEM set up was two 45amp "dumb" chargers. While
camping, this was fine, demand and supply were largely balanced, as I
would have hookups for a couple of days, then boondock for a few.
Usually, one charger would cover my needs, after boondocking, I would
use both for a day. Problem was when storing at home, leaving one
plugged in all the time would overcharge. I used one/both by simply
unplugging one charger in the bay.

One of the dumb chargers finally died, and I replaced it with a 45amp
IOTA automatic charger. I have the second OEM unit still in place as
a spare/quick charge assist.

When camping, my method is to monitor the battery condition (volts at
rest) and typically just use the one IOTA charger. After a big
drawdown, I will sometimes use both chargers if I need to quickly
charge up the bank.

In areas that prohibit gensets....I also added a solar panel to keep
the batterys up.

For storage, I bought a heavy duty timer from Home Depot that plugged
into the 120vt. receptical in the bay and leave then OEM dumb charger
unplugged, the IOTA charger plugged into the timer - which is set
to "charge" the batteries about 1-2 hours a day when stored.

IF I had the OEM dumb chargers...i would just get the timer. When one
of the dinosoars finally dies, replace it with an automatic charger.

frank
85fc33

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "putneyflash"
wrote:
>
> From what i have read this is a common problrm on older birds. How
do
> we prevent it? i hear about a automatic voltage regulator that will
> keep the battries from drying out.
> Thanks for all the good information that is wiliiingly shared.
>
> re brake 1983 fc-35 sb
>

I replaced both of our bad chargers with 2 Iota DLS-45 charger
converters. they have a built in smart chip that gives the ability
to either regular or quick charge your batteries. They also make an
IQ Smart controller thet will change the charging habits depending
upon the battery condition. I will be purchasing them in the near
future. I checked all arond and believe it or not Blue Bird had the
best prices on the chargers! I did a battery relacement under
warrenty with
the 4 12volts that were in there when i got it. i plan in the future
to install a solar set up and to go back to 6 volters. now if i can
only find a way to fill the battery water up with out making a
mess...

Richard 1981 FC 35 SB in "The Sunshine State"







--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "putneyflash"
wrote:
>
> From what i have read this is a common problrm on older birds. How
do
> we prevent it? i hear about a automatic voltage regulator that
will
> keep the battries from drying out.
> Thanks for all the good information that is wiliiingly shared.
>
> re brake 1983 fc-35 sb
>

Thanks for the input, i think i will unplug one and use the timer on one when
hooked to commerical power if camping hook both back up
.
thanks
re brake 1983 fc-35

-------------- Original message from "fwernlein" :
--------------


> If it helps: my OEM set up was two 45amp "dumb" chargers. While
> camping, this was fine, demand and supply were largely balanced, as I
> would have hookups for a couple of days, then boondock for a few.
> Usually, one charger would cover my needs, after boondocking, I would
> use both for a day. Problem was when storing at home, leaving one
> plugged in all the time would overcharge. I used one/both by simply
> unplugging one charger in the bay.
>
> One of the dumb chargers finally died, and I replaced it with a 45amp
> IOTA automatic charger. I have the second OEM unit still in place as
> a spare/quick charge assist.
>
> When camping, my method is to monitor the battery condition (volts at
> rest) and typically just use the one IOTA charger. After a big
> drawdown, I will sometimes use both chargers if I need to quickly
> charge up the bank.
>
> In areas that prohibit gensets....I also added a solar panel to keep
> the batterys up.
>
> For storage, I bought a heavy duty timer from Home Depot that plugged
> into the 120vt. receptical in the bay and leave then OEM dumb charger
> unplugged, the IOTA charger plugged into the timer - which is set
> to "charge" the batteries about 1-2 hours a day when stored.
>
> IF I had the OEM dumb chargers...i would just get the timer. When one
> of the dinosoars finally dies, replace it with an automatic charger.
>
> frank
> 85fc33
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "putneyflash"
> wrote:
> >
> > From what i have read this is a common problrm on older birds. How
> do
> > we prevent it? i hear about a automatic voltage regulator that will
> > keep the battries from drying out.
> > Thanks for all the good information that is wiliiingly shared.
> >
> > re brake 1983 fc-35 sb
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello:
does the new charger work ok on the genrator? I guess i am just beginning to
understand bb logic. You run down the house/starting battries as you camp. fire
up the generator and it a couple of hours battries, are back up for another
couple of days. one would run the genrator to heat water and make coffee anyway.
i guess the first all electric coach.
thanks again

re brake


-------------- Original message from putneyflash@...: --------------

Thanks for the input, i think i will unplug one and use the timer on one when
hooked to commerical power if camping hook both back up
.
thanks
re brake 1983 fc-35

-------------- Original message from "fwernlein" :
--------------


> If it helps: my OEM set up was two 45amp "dumb" chargers. While
> camping, this was fine, demand and supply were largely balanced, as I
> would have hookups for a couple of days, then boondock for a few.
> Usually, one charger would cover my needs, after boondocking, I would
> use both for a day. Problem was when storing at home, leaving one
> plugged in all the time would overcharge. I used one/both by simply
> unplugging one charger in the bay.
>
> One of the dumb chargers finally died, and I replaced it with a 45amp
> IOTA automatic charger. I have the second OEM unit still in place as
> a spare/quick charge assist.
>
> When camping, my method is to monitor the battery condition (volts at
> rest) and typically just use the one IOTA charger. After a big
> drawdown, I will sometimes use both chargers if I need to quickly
> charge up the bank.
>
> In areas that prohibit gensets....I also added a solar panel to keep
> the batterys up.
>
> For storage, I bought a heavy duty timer from Home Depot that plugged
> into the 120vt. receptical in the bay and leave then OEM dumb charger
> unplugged, the IOTA charger plugged into the timer - which is set
> to "charge" the batteries about 1-2 hours a day when stored.
>
> IF I had the OEM dumb chargers...i would just get the timer. When one
> of the dinosoars finally dies, replace it with an automatic charger.
>
> frank
> 85fc33
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "putneyflash"
> wrote:
> >
> > From what i have read this is a common problrm on older birds. How
> do
> > we prevent it? i hear about a automatic voltage regulator that will
> > keep the battries from drying out.
> > Thanks for all the good information that is wiliiingly shared.
> >
> > re brake 1983 fc-35 sb
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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