battery charger replacement

[Pete Masterson]

Final consensus? he he he...

In general, a so-called three stage charger is preferred. One that
provides a high amp "bulk charge" then a medium charge rate as the
batteries become mostly charged, followed with a "float charge" that
holds them at/near a full charge. This can be a separate charger or a
charger that is combined in an inverter. To manage the charger, a
controller is helpful, especially if you have multiple charge
sources, such as shore power and solar panels ... or if you have
plans to add solar panels at a later time.

The recent discussion in the past couple of days of some controllers
is one starting point.

The previous owner of my coach (apparently) upgraded the dual
inverters and installed a Heart Link 2000 R controller that controls
charging batteries in two banks*. I may be mistaken, but it appears
that the house batteries are wired in two banks-- and I don't see
that the engine batteries are in the loop (so to speak) -- but then,
they don't have any load on them between starting the engine.

I need to spend more time tracing battery cables, etc.... when time
and inclination allow...

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



On May 11, 2007, at 1:52 PM, glennshehorn wrote:

> I really hate to stir up a much discussed (cussed) issue, but with 44
> weeks of this treatment left I've got lotsa time and not much
> energy to
> get back to the major projects on my Bird.
> I do think I could handle a smaller job that has to be done, so here
> goes.
> I need to change the original battery chargers out to something that
> fits more into the world we live in and won't boil my batteries dry.
> Whats the final consensus on this issue. <snip>