Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Hey all,

I was reading through the posts about battery charger replacement in
an 87, and started to wonder about whether or not I have to worry
about overcharging on the charger in my 78. Is this an issue, or does
it step down as the batteries reach capacity to a trickle charge if
any charge at all?

If your 78 chargers are original, it does not step down. If you have 2
50 Amp chargers like my 83 did, you are boiling/destroying your
batteries with 100 Amps of charge 24/7 if you are on shore power 24/7.

Dan NM

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mr. Wolf"
wrote:
>
> Hey all,
>
> I was reading through the posts about battery charger replacement in
> an 87, and started to wonder about whether or not I have to worry
> about overcharging on the charger in my 78. Is this an issue, or does
> it step down as the batteries reach capacity to a trickle charge if
> any charge at all?
>

Dan is right but as much at fault is some or our alternators. If the
voltage regulator is not working right you could be charging the
batteries all of the time. That is why I strongly recommend the
installation of at least the Xantrex Link 1000 which monitors
everything going into and out of your batteries. Its actually a small
computer monitoring a shunt installed near the batteries. The link is
just not for controlling the Xantrex charger/inverter although I
recommend that also. The link will monitor the output of the
alternator when you are driving, the generator when it is running,
the charger output and the current draw of the batteries. I
installed my Link 2000 right next to the instrument panel so I can
instantly see what is going on. It will even monitor each light as it
is turned on and off. Makes finding those phantom current draws easier also.
Tom Warner
Vernon Center,NY
1985 PT 40

At 07:41 PM 5/12/2007, you wrote:
>If your 78 chargers are original, it does not step down. If you have 2
>50 Amp chargers like my 83 did, you are boiling/destroying your
>batteries with 100 Amps of charge 24/7 if you are on shore power 24/7.
>
>Dan NM
>
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mr. Wolf"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hey all,
> >
> > I was reading through the posts about battery charger replacement in
> > an 87, and started to wonder about whether or not I have to worry
> > about overcharging on the charger in my 78. Is this an issue, or does
> > it step down as the batteries reach capacity to a trickle charge if
> > any charge at all?
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

The battery chargers in the older 'birds are often called "battery
boilers" with good reason. The commonly will overcharge/overheat the
batteries, causing them to lose water quickly. The most common
workaround is to attach the chargers to a timer, allowing them to run
for about an hour a day to keep batteries up while in storage.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Lockhart Texas



On May 12, 2007, at 6:35 PM, Mr. Wolf wrote:

> Hey all,
>
> I was reading through the posts about battery charger replacement in
> an 87, and started to wonder about whether or not I have to worry
> about overcharging on the charger in my 78. Is this an issue, or does
> it step down as the batteries reach capacity to a trickle charge if
> any charge at all?
>

----- Original Message -----
From: Pete Masterson
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 8:59 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery Charger Overcharge?


.





I personally do not care for the old technologically when it comes to battery
chargers.

If it were me I would look into a truecgarge
http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/3/type.asp

You can count on it to keep your batteries at the correct voltage.

Are they a little pricey yes.You only get what you payfor.

Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36

> Hey all,
>
> I was reading through the posts about battery charger replacement in
> an 87, and started to wonder about whether or not I have to worry
> about overcharging on the charger in my 78. Is this an issue, or does
> it step down as the batteries reach capacity to a trickle charge if
> any charge at all?
>





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

Bob, I have had about six truecharge 40+ models and they have not been reliable
for me. When they fail the factory told me they are unrepairable. Also they
only put out 40 amps, so at night with the lights on, there is not much left
over for charging. Other people may have better experience but I'm not buying
anymore. FWIW

Dan
81RB33
Jackson, MS
----- Original Message -----
From: bloomas
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 10:44 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery Charger Overcharge?



----- Original Message -----
From: Pete Masterson
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 8:59 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery Charger Overcharge?

.

I personally do not care for the old technologically when it comes to battery
chargers.

If it were me I would look into a truecgarge
http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/3/type.asp

You can count on it to keep your batteries at the correct voltage.

Are they a little pricey yes.You only get what you payfor.

Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36

> Hey all,
>
> I was reading through the posts about battery charger replacement in
> an 87, and started to wonder about whether or not I have to worry
> about overcharging on the charger in my 78. Is this an issue, or does
> it step down as the batteries reach capacity to a trickle charge if
> any charge at all?
>

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






------------------------------------------------------------------------------


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.0/803 - Release Date: 5/13/2007 12:17
PM


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

Dan,

Most people have had good luck with the TrueCharge 40 units. Are you
sure you don't have a some other issue to lose *6* of them? I have
two in the 91 (one for each battery bank) and lost one due to feedback
arcing when working on a bad alternator. In my case, the feedback
came in the output side and blew a resistor. Just FYI, open them up
and you will find that they have 4 regular automotive type fuses in
them on the output side in case of overloads. You may have just blown
a fuse.

I am somewhat surprised that Xantrex says they are not rebuildable.
In the Links section of the forum, there is a link to Sun Electronics
that sells all sorts of Refurbished Xantrex equipment, including the
TrueCharge 40 units. They are fairly simple inside from an
electronics perspective, old style resistors and caps versus surface
mount parts, and would be easy to fix with a schematic (which they
won't release).

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dan" wrote:
>
> Bob, I have had about six truecharge 40+ models and they have not
been reliable for me. When they fail the factory told me they are
unrepairable. Also they only put out 40 amps, so at night with the
lights on, there is not much left over for charging. Other people may
have better experience but I'm not buying anymore. FWIW
>
> Dan
> 81RB33
> Jackson, MS
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: bloomas
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 10:44 AM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery Charger Overcharge?
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Pete Masterson
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 8:59 AM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery Charger Overcharge?
>
> .
>
> I personally do not care for the old technologically when it comes
to battery chargers.
>
> If it were me I would look into a truecgarge
http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/3/type.asp
>
> You can count on it to keep your batteries at the correct voltage.
>
> Are they a little pricey yes.You only get what you payfor.
>
> Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36
>
> > Hey all,
> >
> > I was reading through the posts about battery charger replacement in
> > an 87, and started to wonder about whether or not I have to worry
> > about overcharging on the charger in my 78. Is this an issue, or
does
> > it step down as the batteries reach capacity to a trickle charge if
> > any charge at all?
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.0/803 - Release Date:
5/13/2007 12:17 PM
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

----- Original Message -----
From: Dan
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 10:52 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery Charger Overcharge?
Dan I see your point.I have had the same one four over seven years and it has
been use continuly with no problems.
Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36


Bob, I have had about six truecharge 40+ models and they have not been
reliable for me. When they fail the factory told me they are unrepairable. Also
they only put out 40 amps, so at night with the lights on, there is not much
left over for charging. Other people may have better experience but I'm not
buying anymore. FWIW

Dan
81RB33
Jackson, MS
----- Original Message -----
From: bloomas
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 10:44 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery Charger Overcharge?

----- Original Message -----
From: Pete Masterson
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 8:59 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery Charger Overcharge?

.

I personally do not care for the old technologically when it comes to battery
chargers.

If it were me I would look into a truecgarge
http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/3/type.asp

You can count on it to keep your batteries at the correct voltage.

Are they a little pricey yes.You only get what you payfor.

Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36

> Hey all,
>
> I was reading through the posts about battery charger replacement in
> an 87, and started to wonder about whether or not I have to worry
> about overcharging on the charger in my 78. Is this an issue, or does
> it step down as the batteries reach capacity to a trickle charge if
> any charge at all?
>

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

----------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.0/803 - Release Date: 5/13/2007 12:17
PM

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





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

Unless you are going to exclusively use a RV park and shore power you
do not want to use a 40 amp charger in a Bluebird. Again your
choices should be driven by your individual family requirements. If
you dry camp at all then you want to recharge your batteries quickly
and efficiently. Even the FC models have at least 4 six volt deep
cycle batteries or 450AH of battery power. If you use the 50% rule to
discharge them to before recharging it would take a truecharge
40 approximately 5.5 hours to recharge the batteries. With a
refurbished Xantrex Freedome 458 inverter/charger that furnishes 100
amps charging and 2000 watts of inverter power it would take
approximately 2.25 hours to recharge. Price of the truecharge about
$450
http://www.xantrex.com/productcart/pc/vi...8&pag\
e=2.

Price of the refurbished
458 $525.
http://www.xantrex.com/productcart/pc/vi...roduct=106
Tom warner
vernon center,ny
1985 PT 40

At 11:52 AM 5/13/2007, you wrote:
>Bob, I have had about six truecharge 40+ models and they have not
>been reliable for me. When they fail the factory told me they are
>unrepairable. Also they only put out 40 amps, so at night with the
>lights on, there is not much left over for charging. Other people
>may have better experience but I'm not buying anymore. FWIW
>
>Dan
>81RB33
>Jackson, MS
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: bloomas
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 10:44 AM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery Charger Overcharge?
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Pete Masterson
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 8:59 AM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery Charger Overcharge?
>
> .
>
> I personally do not care for the old technologically when it
> comes to battery chargers.
>
> If it were me I would look into a truecgarge
> http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/3/type.asp
>
> You can count on it to keep your batteries at the correct voltage.
>
> Are they a little pricey yes.You only get what you payfor.
>
> Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36
>
> > Hey all,
> >
> > I was reading through the posts about battery charger replacement in
> > an 87, and started to wonder about whether or not I have to worry
> > about overcharging on the charger in my 78. Is this an issue, or does
> > it step down as the batteries reach capacity to a trickle charge if
> > any charge at all?
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.0/803 - Release Date:
> 5/13/2007 12:17 PM
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner

wrote:
Tom When you had your FC did you have a hart 458 if so where did
you install it?
Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36
>
> Unless you are going to exclusively use a RV park and shore power
you
> do not want to use a 40 amp charger in a Bluebird. Again your
> choices should be driven by your individual family requirements.
If
> you dry camp at all then you want to recharge your batteries
quickly
> and efficiently. Even the FC models have at least 4 six volt deep
> cycle batteries or 450AH of battery power. If you use the 50% rule
to
> discharge them to before recharging it would take a truecharge
> 40 approximately 5.5 hours to recharge the batteries. With a
> refurbished Xantrex Freedome 458 inverter/charger that furnishes
100
> amps charging and 2000 watts of inverter power it would take
> approximately 2.25 hours to recharge. Price of the truecharge
about
> $450
> http://www.xantrex.com/productcart/pc/viewCat_h.asp?
ProdSort=1&idCategory=28&page=2.
>
> Price of the refurbished
> 458 $525.
> http://www.xantrex.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?
idcategory=23&idproduct=106
> Tom warner
> vernon center,ny
> 1985 PT 40
>
> At 11:52 AM 5/13/2007, you wrote:
> >Bob, I have had about six truecharge 40+ models and they have
not
> >been reliable for me. When they fail the factory told me they
are
> >unrepairable. Also they only put out 40 amps, so at night with
the
> >lights on, there is not much left over for charging. Other
people
> >may have better experience but I'm not buying anymore. FWIW
> >
> >Dan
> >81RB33
> >Jackson, MS
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: bloomas
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 10:44 AM
> > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery Charger Overcharge?
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Pete Masterson
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 8:59 AM
> > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery Charger Overcharge?
> >
> > .
> >
> > I personally do not care for the old technologically when it
> > comes to battery chargers.
> >
> > If it were me I would look into a truecgarge
> > http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/3/type.asp
> >
> > You can count on it to keep your batteries at the correct
voltage.
> >
> > Are they a little pricey yes.You only get what you payfor.
> >
> > Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36
> >
> > > Hey all,
> > >
> > > I was reading through the posts about battery charger
replacement in
> > > an 87, and started to wonder about whether or not I have to
worry
> > > about overcharging on the charger in my 78. Is this an
issue, or does
> > > it step down as the batteries reach capacity to a trickle
charge if
> > > any charge at all?
> > >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------------
------------
> >
> >
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> > Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.0/803 - Release Date:
> > 5/13/2007 12:17 PM
> >
> >
> >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>