Quote:
Last week when I jump started the motorhome, the fan turned on.
Last week when I jump started the motorhome, the fan turned on.
This probably indicates that both batteries were dead. When you start the engine the battery isolator connects both batteries and the engine alternator is charging both batteries. So, if the house battery was dead it would begin charging and the fan would come on.
Ideally you should be charging both batteries whenever the RV is sitting. There is a special device that will charge the chassis battery whenever the house battery is being charged.
Trik-L-Start
TreeSeeker wrote:
This probably indicates that both batteries were dead. When you start the engine the battery isolator connects both batteries and the engine alternator is charging both batteries. So, if the house battery was dead it would begin charging and the fan would come on.
Ideally you should be charging both batteries whenever the RV is sitting. There is a special device that will charge the chassis battery whenever the house battery is being charged.
Trik-L-Start
Quote:
Last week when I jump started the motorhome, the fan turned on.
Last week when I jump started the motorhome, the fan turned on.
This probably indicates that both batteries were dead. When you start the engine the battery isolator connects both batteries and the engine alternator is charging both batteries. So, if the house battery was dead it would begin charging and the fan would come on.
Ideally you should be charging both batteries whenever the RV is sitting. There is a special device that will charge the chassis battery whenever the house battery is being charged.
Trik-L-Start
Thanks for the input.
Am I charging the house battery while it is being plugged into my house? If so, would I just need to charge the motor battery? (Sorry for the crazy questions)
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Quote:
Am I charging the house battery while it is being plugged into my house? If so, would I just need to charge the motor battery?
Am I charging the house battery while it is being plugged into my house? If so, would I just need to charge the motor battery?
There is no simple answer to this question. The answer is probably but not efficiently. I have a '79 and it has a converter which charges the battery at a maximum of 3 amps and it keeps the battery at a constant 13.6v which will boil the electrolyte off. Since your RV is older than mine I expect it is similar. Newer ones have more sophisticated charging systems (at least some do).
I disconnect my house battery from the converter and charge it with a new computerized auto battery charger (35b amp max) that also will keep it charged without overcharging it.
I have another 1.5amp "battery maintainer" (charger) which charges the chassis battery and keeps it charged without overcharging. The Trik-L-Start that I mentioned before will eliminate having to have a second charger and having to deal with it.
For more detailed info on chargers see the articles that I provided links to in a previous message.
Note that if your batteries have been run down completely they are probably damaged. Many auto stores will test them for you for free. You don't want to have battery problems during a vacation.
The motor battery is only 23 months old. (from Walmart)
Technically, you could jump start the engine then the alternator will charge both batteries while you are driving (assuming both batteries are capable of taking a charge). Personally I would not want to take off on a trip under these conditions.
Ideally, you should charge each battery with a good 3-stage battery charger. A decent charger will even tell you if you have a shorted cell or if the battery will not take a charge. It doesn't matter how new your battery is, it still could be damaged by being run down and left in that state for a period of time. Engine batteries are damaged more by this than deep-cycle batteries (normally what is used for house batteries) but even deep-cycle batteries should not be run down more than 50% before recharging. 12.7v is fully charged, 12.0 is 50% charged. This is another reason you should have a multi-meter if you have an RV.
TreeSeeker wrote:
I'm not sure what you mean by "alright?"
Technically, you could jump start the engine then the alternator will charge both batteries while you are driving (assuming both batteries are capable of taking a charge). Personally I would not want to take off on a trip under these conditions.
Ideally, you should charge each battery with a good 3-stage battery charger. A decent charger will even tell you if you have a shorted cell or if the battery will not take a charge. It doesn't matter how new your battery is, it still could be damaged by being run down and left in that state for a period of time. Engine batteries are damaged more by this than deep-cycle batteries (normally what is used for house batteries) but even deep-cycle batteries should not be run down more than 50% before recharging. 12.7v is fully charged, 12.0 is 50% charged. This is another reason you should have a multi-meter if you have an RV.
I'm not sure what you mean by "alright?"
Technically, you could jump start the engine then the alternator will charge both batteries while you are driving (assuming both batteries are capable of taking a charge). Personally I would not want to take off on a trip under these conditions.
Ideally, you should charge each battery with a good 3-stage battery charger. A decent charger will even tell you if you have a shorted cell or if the battery will not take a charge. It doesn't matter how new your battery is, it still could be damaged by being run down and left in that state for a period of time. Engine batteries are damaged more by this than deep-cycle batteries (normally what is used for house batteries) but even deep-cycle batteries should not be run down more than 50% before recharging. 12.7v is fully charged, 12.0 is 50% charged. This is another reason you should have a multi-meter if you have an RV.
Thanks,
OK, there is a charger that came with the MH. When charging the cabin battery, do I set it at 2 amp, 10 amp or 50 amp?
Sorry, this is a learning experience for me.
I don't know if your charger is a manual or automatic one. Manual ones will overcharge the battery if left on too long. Automatic ones will start with a high voltage then reduce it until the battery is fully charged, then shut off.
Without knowing details about your charger, I would suggest the 10amp setting. Charging at too high amps can also damage batteries. If it is a manual charger you are going to need a hydrometer to measure when the battery is fully charged. Automatic ones will tell you via a light, LED, or LCD screen.
I really do recommend that you read up on these topics in the articles that I provided links to in a previous message.
Without Trucks,....America Stop's
I use a charger similar to this: Automatic 3-stage charger
You can get these at Wal-Mart and many other places.