New batteries - maintaining charge while stored

[xz3kg7]

I just installed some new Interstate batteries in my 87FC35.

My last T105s lasted 3 years, which probably isn't bad, but not particularly
good either. I have the old "battery burners".

What is the best way to keep the batteries charged while the coach is not in
use? I never have quite figured out how my chargers work. there seem to be two
breakers relative to the charger(s). Also, I think in a compartment on the
drivers side there are one or two things plugged in that maybe be one or both of
the chargers/inverters..??

Is one breaker a charger and the other an inverter? If so, if one actually has a
plug on it I should be able to put a timer on it, right?

Thanks for any advice,
Alan Johnson
87FC35

[Gregory OConnor]

I would turn off the boilers as with them they require more attention and prompted the need for auto water systems, now a thing of the past. I would hook up a 20 amp xantrex while parked. I am sure the boilers will work good while on the road. I would think a $100 sears automatic charger would wok just as well to maintain a top off charge wile parked. most chargers now even the cheap ones are automatic and wont boil out the life of your batteries.

Greg of Tim&Greg


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "xz3kg7" wrote:
>
> I just installed some new Interstate batteries in my 87FC35.
>
> My last T105s lasted 3 years, which probably isn't bad, but not particularly good either. I have the old "battery burners".
>
> What is the best way to keep the batteries charged while the coach is not in use? I never have quite figured out how my chargers work. there seem to be two breakers relative to the charger(s). Also, I think in a compartment on the drivers side there are one or two things plugged in that maybe be one or both of the chargers/inverters..??
>
> Is one breaker a charger and the other an inverter? If so, if one actually has a plug on it I should be able to put a timer on it, right?
>
> Thanks for any advice,
> Alan Johnson
> 87FC35
>

[pattypape]

Alan,

The other AC plug may be a cooling fan, mounted behind a steel cover,
For a temporary solution, use battery disconnect switches or lift the negative
cables when in storage, or use a timer on the battery boiler about 2 hours per
day, until you decide the many ways to upgrade your chargers. Many smart
chargers available, Iota, Progressive Dynamics, Zantrex are a few. Prices
vary for all needs & budgets.

Bill 88 FC Michigan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "xz3kg7" wrote:
>
> I just installed some new Interstate batteries in my 87FC35.
>
> My last T105s lasted 3 years, which probably isn't bad, but not particularly
good either. I have the old "battery burners".
>
> What is the best way to keep the batteries charged while the coach is not in
use? I never have quite figured out how my chargers work. there seem to be two
breakers relative to the charger(s). Also, I think in a compartment on the
drivers side there are one or two things plugged in that maybe be one or both of
the chargers/inverters..??
>
> Is one breaker a charger and the other an inverter? If so, if one actually has
a plug on it I should be able to put a timer on it, right?
>
> Thanks for any advice,
> Alan Johnson
> 87FC35
>

[sfedeli3]

Hi Alan,

Greg's right about the old boilers trashing your batteries. Invest in the
Xantrex- you won't regret it. Even though it's small, it'll do a fine job.

I'd also consider putting a 1200 amp master disconnect on the negative battery
cable where it connects to the frame of the coach. That way you can completely
shut down the battery drain. You'll need a small one on the genset battery too
to keep it from slowly draining. I can charge my batteries up before storing the
coach and come back to fully charged cells after 3 months.

Shane Fedeli
85PT40
Hershey, PA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor" wrote:
>
> I would turn off the boilers as with them they require more attention
> and prompted the need for auto water systems, now a thing of the past. I
> would hook up a 20 amp xantrex
> <http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/XANTREX-T...rger-\
> model-20-amps_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQhashZitem3a\
> 4a997208QQitemZ250359673352QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear>
> while parked. I am sure the boilers will work good while on the road.
> I would think a $100 sears automatic charger would wok just as well to
> maintain a top off charge wile parked. most chargers now even the cheap
> ones are automatic and wont boil out the life of your batteries.
>
> Greg of Tim&Greg
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "xz3kg7"
> wrote:
> >
> > I just installed some new Interstate batteries in my 87FC35.
> >
> > My last T105s lasted 3 years, which probably isn't bad, but not
> particularly good either. I have the old "battery burners".
> >
> > What is the best way to keep the batteries charged while the coach is
> not in use? I never have quite figured out how my chargers work. there
> seem to be two breakers relative to the charger(s). Also, I think in a
> compartment on the drivers side there are one or two things plugged in
> that maybe be one or both of the chargers/inverters..??
> >
> > Is one breaker a charger and the other an inverter? If so, if one
> actually has a plug on it I should be able to put a timer on it, right?
> >
> > Thanks for any advice,
> > Alan Johnson
> > 87FC35
> >
>

[Chuck Wheeler]

Alan,

I have 6+ years on my T105s. They are great batteries, but I got less than two years out of the previous set before I replaced the "battery boilers". I don't think you will ever have a very long battery life using the original chargers as it is just too hard to manually regulate the charge. I have one 60amp progressive dynamics charger. We do not have any inverters so you may need a larger charger if you have a greater dc load. The one time I left the battery switch on and ran the batteries completely down the 60 amp charger brought the batteries up so I could start in about 20 minutes. I made sure that there was NO parasitic load with the battery switch shut off and do not leave power on when stored. If we go for a month without making a trip I turn power the charger on for 24 hours and let it go through a charging cycle.

- Chuck Wheeler-

1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX

---

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of xz3kg7
Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2009 10:03 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] New batteries - maintaining charge while stored

I just installed some new Interstate batteries in my 87FC35.

My last T105s lasted 3 years, which probably isn't bad, but not particularly good either. I have the old "battery burners".

What is the best way to keep the batteries charged while the coach is not in use? I never have quite figured out how my chargers work. there seem to be two breakers relative to the charger(s). Also, I think in a compartment on the drivers side there are one or two things plugged in that maybe be one or both of the chargers/inverters..??

Is one breaker a charger and the other an inverter? If so, if one actually has a plug on it I should be able to put a timer on it, right?

Thanks for any advice,
Alan Johnson
87FC35

[Pete Masterson]

The best way to keep up the batteries is to get rid of the old battery boilers and install a good, modern, 3-stage charger. Those T105s should have lasted 6 to 8 years, if treated properly.

If you stick with the boilers, at least put them on a timer so that they only run for an hour or two (at most) each day. Also regularly check the battery water level, as the boilers will boil away some of the water.

For a thorough discussion of batteries, see Poop Sheets by Phred

<http://www.phrannie.org/phredex.html>

and read numbers 2 (inverters) and 5 (batteries and other electrical).

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Jun 28, 2009, at 8:03 PM, xz3kg7 wrote:

I just installed some new Interstate batteries in my 87FC35.

My last T105s lasted 3 years, which probably isn't bad, but not particularly good either. I have the old "battery burners".

What is the best way to keep the batteries charged while the coach is not in use? I never have quite figured out how my chargers work. there seem to be two breakers relative to the charger(s). Also, I think in a compartment on the drivers side there are one or two things plugged in that maybe be one or both of the chargers/inverters..??

Is one breaker a charger and the other an inverter? If so, if one actually has a plug on it I should be able to put a timer on it, right?

Thanks for any advice,
Alan Johnson
87FC35

[Henry Jay Hannigan]

Agree with Pete...my Trojan T105's were working fine after 7 yrs in my OZ
motorhome........In fact I like them so good, I just installed Two Trojan
T-105's in my 90SP36......and I threw away the old battery chargers and
installed a Xantrex 2500 charger and inverter.

Regards,
Hank Hannigan
90SP36....FOR SALE in Vegas
(808)384-7742





--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson wrote:
>
> The best way to keep up the batteries is to get rid of the old battery
> boilers and install a good, modern, 3-stage charger. Those T105s
> should have lasted 6 to 8 years, if treated properly.
>
> If you stick with the boilers, at least put them on a timer so that
> they only run for an hour or two (at most) each day. Also regularly
> check the battery water level, as the boilers will boil away some of
> the water.
>
> For a thorough discussion of batteries, see Poop Sheets by Phred
> <http://www.phrannie.org/phredex.html>
> and read numbers 2 (inverters) and 5 (batteries and other electrical).
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> El Sobrante CA
> aeonix1@...
>
>
>
> On Jun 28, 2009, at 8:03 PM, xz3kg7 wrote:
>
> > I just installed some new Interstate batteries in my 87FC35.
> >
> > My last T105s lasted 3 years, which probably isn't bad, but not
> > particularly good either. I have the old "battery burners".
> >
> > What is the best way to keep the batteries charged while the coach
> > is not in use? I never have quite figured out how my chargers work.
> > there seem to be two breakers relative to the charger(s). Also, I
> > think in a compartment on the drivers side there are one or two
> > things plugged in that maybe be one or both of the chargers/
> > inverters..??
> >
> > Is one breaker a charger and the other an inverter? If so, if one
> > actually has a plug on it I should be able to put a timer on it,
> > right?
> >
> > Thanks for any advice,
> > Alan Johnson
> > 87FC35
>

[tommy.rountree]

All: I agree with updating the latest equipment. After I bought my bird, the 10
year old batteries were dying. The old inverters were on their way out as well.
At the recommendation of the folks at BB (before they shut down) I replaced all
the batteries around my coach (all 16 of them - no laughing I do not have a
hybrid bird) with Interstate Workaholics - maintenance free batteries. In
addition, BB installed two 80 amp 1300 watt Intellipower converters with the
"Charge Wizard" module.

I keep my coach plugged in all the time to 50 amp service at its home nest.

So far, I had not problem - batteries are always fresh and hot and managed
properly by the converters and the Charge Wizard.

I'm grossly challenged technologically and I probably invested too much, but
that is one issue I don't have to worry about.

Some things we simply do not need to scrimp about.

[xz3kg7]

Thanks for all the advise. A new charger/inverter has been on my list, but
hasn't made it to the top yet. I really like the idea of a negative side cut-off
switch. I'll look into finding one of those.

Thanks again!
Alan Johnson
87fc35