Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Trickle Chargers vs Disconnect Switches (Read 1222 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.
Re: Trickle Chargers vs Disconnect Switches
Reply #25 –
Quote from: Charles & Donna  - 
Larry, when I replaced the Heliotrope HPV-22 that LD installed with a Blue Sky SB3000i I concluded the only way (at least aesthetically) to run a wire from it to the chassis battery would be to pull the refrigerator to gain access to the wire run. Was I mistaken?

Without looking at your rig, I don't know how the wire would be run.
I do know that wiring can be run to just about any place with a little ingenuity  .

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Trickle Chargers vs Disconnect Switches
Reply #26 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
Without looking at your rig, I don't know how the wire would be run.
I do know that wiring can be run to just about any place with a little ingenuity.

LD installed the Heliotrope HPV-22 in the Twin King in a small box protruding from the wall next to the refrigerator above the cabinet that is over the battery box. After entering the roof, the wire run from the solar panels runs along the top of the upper cabinet and then down in that wall to the controller. The run from the controller to the power center and battery box is also in that same wall. I see no way to access that wire run unless the refrigerator is removed.

I do see from Jim Langley’s video of his 2016 Twin King that, compared to the Heliotrope, Lazy Daze mounted the Blue Sky higher up on that wall closer to the window on an elevated portion of that wall that goes from the counter top of the lower cabinet to the bottom of the upper cabinet http://youtu.be/Qgrk71OuSbA?t=256 .  I assume that the wire run for this installation runs in that elevated wall section and is accessible in the top cabinet and the power center area below or perhaps from the outside of the refrigerator compartment.

Tomorrow I plan to pull the drawer out that's under the refrigerator and also pull out the power center again to see if I can come up with a path for a wire from the Blue Sky to the chassis battery.

Charles



Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome #23975
Escapees SKP #138195
2007 23.5' Twin King
 
Re: Trickle Chargers vs Disconnect Switches
Reply #27 –
I would hope these chargers can be left on the battery constantly in storage without over charging.  I used to leave one on a motorcycle for days and weeks in winter.  If you have access to the rig you could just charge it for a couple days a month.

I don’t think watering the batteries should be a storage issue.  I think they off gas much more charging after a significant discharge.

I think a disconnected battery should be ok for a few months but will loose charge sitting but it is best to keep the batteries closer to full charge for battery life.

I got over eight years out of my AGM batteries and they were still serving my needs when I replaced them (it was a convenient time and I figured they were not good for much more time, and they had hot spots when charging)   I think this is because they had a solar system keeping them charged up in storage.

I ran a wire to charge the starting battery from my Blue Sky 3000i solar controller outside the RV through the house battery location on my RB.  I use the aux output of the 3000i, no Trik L Charger.   Can anyone tell me where the battery isolator is?  I imagine either under the hood or near the house batteries.

I have had a few Costco 100 month batteries now replaced a little before 96 months while still working fine.   The Costco battery I put in my Forester a month or so ago has only a 3 year warranty..... :(
Jay Carlson
2003  LD RB
2005 Bigfoot 40MH35LX
rvingjaygwynne.wordpress.com
Re: Trickle Chargers vs Disconnect Switches
Reply #28 –
Charles;  Just because the solar Boost 3000i has an output to charge the chassis battery doesn't mean you have to use it. Especially if you have to run a wire.  I already had a triklstart when I recently upgraded from my SB2000i (20A max) to a SB3000i (30A max) controller. If you don't have sufficient sunlight, or your house batteries are a bit down, theSB3000i won't charge the chassis battery.  If you have shore power and your converter is charging your house batteries, there will be enough voltage for the Trik-L-Start to charge the chassis battery. The charger in the converter is PWM and the pulses will allow the Trik-L-Start to take some power. It of course also works from the solar, if solar has raised the house batteries voltage level. I believe the SB300i is limited to 2 amps. The Trik-L-Start can provide up to 5 amps, the Mega Trik-L-Start 10 amps ($55), Amp-L-Start up to 15 amps (LiFePO4 by jumper change). Easier to install than running wires in a convoluted path from the SB3000i.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Trickle Chargers vs Disconnect Switches
Reply #29 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
Charles;  Just because the solar Boost 3000i has an output to charge the chassis battery doesn't mean you have to use it. Especially if you have to run a wire.

Ron, yes I know. But right now we're stuck at home and I've got time on my hands. I need to figure out how and where to install an EMS HW30C Surge Protector and investigate upgrading the converter section in the Parallax power center so now's the time to look into it again. It appears the PO had the converter section replaced with a 45A Parallax 45RU converter lower section.

Charles

Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome #23975
Escapees SKP #138195
2007 23.5' Twin King
Re: Trickle Chargers vs Disconnect Switches
Reply #30 –
Quote from: Jay Carlson  - 
I would hope these chargers can be left on the battery constantly in storage without over charging.

There are many "smart" chargers out there. I have used BatteryMINDer maintenance charger-desulfators from VDC Electronics for many years. These units do not overcharge.

Charles

Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome #23975
Escapees SKP #138195
2007 23.5' Twin King
Re: Trickle Chargers vs Disconnect Switches
Reply #31 –
Quote from: Jay Carlson  - 
Can anyone tell me where the battery isolator is?  I imagine either under the hood or near the house batteries.

Jay; if you have an isolator it's usually on the firewall, if you have a contactor it's on the driver's side inner fender wall. They will be under the hood. LD used to use isolators but moved to contactors, our 2007 has a contactor. They serve the same purpose in a different manner.

Charles

Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome #23975
Escapees SKP #138195
2007 23.5' Twin King
Re: Trickle Chargers vs Disconnect Switches
Reply #32 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
My disconnect switch is a box wrench, and I don't do that unless I'm working on parts of the system.

I must have skipped past that  ::) Me too. Low tech, effective, and reliable.

Charles
Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome #23975
Escapees SKP #138195
2007 23.5' Twin King