inverter / charger

[Tom Warner]

Greg the house batteries are "used up" as you put it and I assume
that means have to be replaced because very few coach owners
understand how to properly size their charger/inverter and connecting
cables and wiring and to properly care for and manage their
batteries. They discharge below 12V simply because few coach owners
have an accurate way of monitoring their condition from inside the
coach and in real time. As you note one way to keep the batteries
from discharging below 12V is to install an automatic generator start
but in my opinion that does not help with monitoring the condition
etc of the batteries, alternator and generator outputs.

I for instance have installed new batteries in my 1985 PT 40 (six
6VDC deep cycle Interstate batteries) simply because the former owner
installed 6 red top Optima 12VDC batteries as house batteries. They
were the wrong kind (red tops are for starting not deep cycle) and
only 55AH each which is not adequate for this coach. Also installed
all new 4/0 battery cables and to and from the charger. Also new 10
gauge cables from the main power panel to the charger and from the
new subpanel to the inverter. I also installed a new subpanel for
the inverter and switched all of the inside receptacles and the
microwave and electric curtains over to the subpanel. Also installed
a link 2000 which will monitor the batteries and their condition, the
alternator voltage and current, the generator voltage and
current, and will show the hours for the batteries to get to any
voltage I set it for which is 12.3V for mine. With the Link 1000/2000
I can monitor the current draw of every device inside the coach that
operates from 12VDC, monitor the condition of the batteries etc. To
me this is a powerful device as it gives me confidence whether
boondocking, on the road, or at a RV Park plugged into shore power as
to the condition of everything in the coach.

The charger or alternator will also charge the battery efficiently if
the original circuits are kept in good repair and checked so that we
are assured they work properly. I have helped several others
troubleshoot their generator charging circuits and I am told they now work.

If you do a lot of boondocking then you should calculate your 12VDC
loads so you can install the best battery bank , charger/inverter to
efficiently handle it. A good source for that is

http://www.phrannie.org/battery.html
http://www.phrannie.org/invert.html

You can use the OEM battery chargers but they are very inefficient,
overcharge your batteries causing them to fail prematurely and really
should be replaced. I strongly recommend the Xantrex Freedom 458
series charger/inverters with the Link 1000 or 2000 controls. I would
buy a refurbished unit if they are available.
As for your comment of "current going to the batteries from the house
110 chargers" that is only possible if you do not separate the power
to the charger from the power from the inverter. That is resolved by
installing a subpanel that has the circuits for the microwave,
electric curtains and inside receptacles in my case and powering the
charger from its original breaker in the main power panel. These are
some of the issues we are going to discuss at the June 8-10 rally
here in Vernon,NY along with working on some of the coaches in attendance.

tom warner
vernon center,ny
1985 PT 40

At 12:54 AM 5/26/2007, you wrote:
>Howard, It seems that the rigs that have seperate engine batts , keep
>that bank longer than house batt bank.I think the house bats get used
>up because they are depleted past 12 v often. the auto genny/starts
>will keep the house batbank closer to 12 and I think help keep the
>batteries longer.
>
>Motorcoaches go through alts on their engines and I wondered if
>current going to the bateries from the house 110 chargers harms the
>alts??. Are the alt to battery path diode protected??? if the diode
>fails will it fail making two way contact or stop any flow???
>
>GregoryO'Connor
>94ptRomolandCa
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
> >
> >
> > Gregory,
> > I know my coach an 86 PT40 is a good bit older than yours but I had
>the same problem of draining main engine batteries and draining the
>generator battery also. I replaced the diode that is to stop the
>electrical back flow from the generator battery. I also found a blown
>30 amp circuit breaker and replaced it.
> > All is well for now.
> > Howard Truitt
> > Camilla, Ga.
> > 86 PT40
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > > From: "Gregory OConnor"
> > > Date: 2007/05/25 Fri AM 08:50:35 EDT
> > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: inverter / charger
> > >
> > > Mario, wonder if you can isolate appliances from running on the
> > > inverted 110. like keep the e-water heater off the inverter and
>the
> > > engine heat and keep the new battery chargers from running off
>the
> > > inverter (circular draw). I dont know how the other battery use
>system
> > > worked. I charge one of those portable battery car jumpstart
>packs on
> > > inverted 110 just in case I cant start the genset after using up
>the
> > > bats. Wish I had one of the auto genny start systems (like
>DonB). It
> > > seems as those auto starts will pay for themselves with
>extending
> > > battery life.
> > >
> > > GregoryO'Connor
> > > 94ptRomolandCa
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mariopatti1"
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi All
> > > > Getting close to have the inverter installed.I'm thinking of a
>MANGUM
> > > > MS 2012 and using D&R Family RV in Glendale AZ for the install.
>Any
> > > > comments or experience welcomed.
> > > > Mario 1985 FC 35 Still in
>Leucadia
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>