Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #25 – September 26, 2019, 02:48:09 pm RonB- Is the TRIK-L-START something I should consider for my '91 LD? Currently there is no generator or solar panels, although I hope to add them when I'm able to travel for longer periods. I would definitely ask my garage to install it since I know I'm not to be trusted!! Thanks, pj
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #26 – September 26, 2019, 04:18:00 pm Hi PJ; I don't know how you keep up your house batteries. If you leave your motorhome plugged in, in the driveway, the Trik-L-Start would keep up your chassis battery using excess power from your (house battery) converter charger. Later addition of a solar system would be transparent and nothing would need to be changed related to the Trik-L-Start. If you just start and run your motorhome once a week or so, you wouldn't benefit much, since the running engine charges all of the batteries at once through the diode isolator. It is pretty easy to put this unit in, but your local mechanic/car electronics person/RV repair place should be able to do this easily. I noticed in the picture of my installation the company was bought by Winebago. RonB
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #27 – September 26, 2019, 09:02:26 pm So Ron, the way I see it this little charger uses power from the house battery to power it's self. If there are no solar panels involved one would have to be plugged in through the converter and it would use power over 13.2 V to keep the house battery's from over charging? Jon
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #28 – September 26, 2019, 09:26:52 pm Quote from: JonS - September 26, 2019, 09:02:26 pmSo Ron, the way I see it this little charger uses power from the house battery to power it's self. If there are no solar panels involved one would have to be plugged in through the converter and it would use power over 13.2 V to keep the house battery's from over charging? The Trik-L-Start will not prevent the converter from overcharging the house battery, it uses little power.If you are actually planning on adding solar, the Blue Sky 3000i will take care of the starting battery charging without having to add a Trik-L-Start.I have found most owners have fewer problems with excessive battery water usage or overcharging when just the solar controller is used, when the rig is in storage . Many converters maintain too high a float voltage, causing outgassing and increased water usage. A lot of AGM batteries have died from overcharging.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #29 – September 27, 2019, 01:39:56 am “I have found most owners have fewer problems with excessive battery water usage or overcharging when just the solar controller is used, when the rig is in storage . Many converters maintain too high a float voltage, causing outgassing and increased water usage. A lot of AGM batteries have died from overcharging.”Helpful insight Larry. Any advice for those that store indoors with 120v power available? Warren
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #30 – September 27, 2019, 11:48:41 am Quote from: WhiteElk - September 27, 2019, 01:39:56 am“I have found most owners have fewer problems with excessive battery water usage or overcharging when just the solar controller is used, when the rig is in storage . Many converters maintain too high a float voltage, causing outgassing and increased water usage. A lot of AGM batteries have died from overcharging.”Helpful insight Larry. Any advice for those that store indoors with 120v power available? WarrenQuote from: Larry W - September 26, 2019, 09:26:52 pmThe Trik-L-Start will not prevent the converter from overcharging the house battery, it uses little power.If you are actually planning on adding solar, the Blue Sky 3000i will take care of the starting battery charging without having to add a Trik-L-Start.I have found most owners have fewer problems with excessive battery water usage or overcharging when just the solar controller is used, when the rig is in storage . Many converters maintain too high a float voltage, causing outgassing and increased water usage. A lot of AGM batteries have died from overcharging.LarryMy LD stays stored in our driveway and I keep the factory solar controller on "shore power" even though I'm not plugged in to an outlet. I assume this should be enough maintain the house batteries and keep them topped off during daylight hours when the solar is getting power. The manual says that it will convert less power on shore power vs. setting it to dry camping. I was figuring this would prevent my house batteries from overcharging since they aren't getting as much juice to them and none overnight. Does this seem accurate? I only have 110v outdoor outlets if I do need to plug it in at my house and I'm also unsure if this would ever cause potential overcharging the house batteries vs. some homes where they leave their RV plugged into 220v (like a dryer plug equivalent).
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #31 – September 27, 2019, 12:24:40 pm "...some homes where they leave their RV plugged into 220v (like a dryer plug equivalent)."---- 220V may work for a washing machine, dryer, and/or a few other appliances, but if an "electrician" wires a pedestal to deliver that much voltage to a rig that requires 30A, I hope s/he agrees to pony up for the rig's fried and smoking electrics!RV Electrichttp://www.myrv.us/Imgs/PDF/30-amp%20Service.pdf 1 Likes
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #32 – September 27, 2019, 12:26:31 pm If when storing the LD, leaving the Heliotrope HPV22B in "shore power" keeps the battery charged, with an early morning resting voltage at or above 12.6-volts, then it should be OK. If lower than 12.6, try the "dry camp" mode. Monitor how much water is used in each mode.Battery voltage is not the best way knowing the battery's charge level, a battery monitor can track the battery's actual charge level.Amazon.com: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor: GatewayLarry As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #33 – September 27, 2019, 01:11:09 pm Quote from: WhiteElk - September 27, 2019, 01:39:56 amHelpful insight Larry. Any advice for those that store indoors with 120v power available? Every model of converter is different, see how your LD's converter works and how high the float voltage is.I have no experience with the converter now installed by LD.Lifeline AGM batteries should have a float voltage, after being fully charged, at around 13-VDC, at room temperature.Lifeline Owners manual. http://lifelinebatteries.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/6-0101-Rev-E-Lifeline-Technical-Manual.pdfSee page 19. Overcharging an AGM will destroy it, there is no way to add water.If the float voltage, while in storage is too high, a smaller, smart maintenance charger could possibly be used.AGMs are picky and can be easily damaged, I have known too many LD owners whose AGMs died early death, cause by converters that floated at too high a voltage..One reason why I prefer Lead-acid batteries is if overcharged, their water level can be replenished.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #34 – September 27, 2019, 02:23:05 pm Quote from: Joan - September 27, 2019, 12:24:40 pm"...some homes where they leave their RV plugged into 220v (like a dryer plug equivalent)."---- 220V may work for a washing machine, dryer, and/or a few other appliances, but if an "electrician" wires a pedestal to deliver that much voltage to a rig that requires 30A, I hope s/he agrees to pony up for the rig's fried and smoking electrics!RV Electrichttp://www.myrv.us/Imgs/PDF/30-amp%20Service.pdfApologies. 30amp outlet is what I meant which is equivalent in side obviously not in electricity voltage! Basically wondering if just plugging into a standard 110 outlet would potentially overcharge the batteries like leaving it in to a 30a outlet potentially could.
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #35 – September 27, 2019, 02:41:54 pm The converter, which is what charges the battery when plugged into AC, couldn't care less if you are plugged into 30, 20 or 15 AMP power. It will draw its 5 or 6 AMPS and charge the battery the same no matter what the AC connection is.Rich
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #36 – September 27, 2019, 02:48:38 pm Quote from: Rich Gort - September 27, 2019, 02:41:54 pmThe converter, which is what charges the battery when plugged into AC, couldn't care less if you are plugged into 30, 20 or 15 AMP power. It will draw its 5 or 6 AMPS and charge the battery the same no matter what the AC connection is.RichAh gotcha thank you. I assumed the converter would allow a larger amp draw on a 30amp circuit vs. a 15 or 20amp circuit.
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #37 – September 27, 2019, 08:02:45 pm Larry said, “Battery voltage is not the best way knowing the battery's charge level, a battery monitor can track the battery's actual charge level”.Amazon.com: Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor: GatewayOrdered this monitor the other day. Purchased mine from AM Solar instead of Amazon. I plan on having more Solar added to our RB in a year or so and wanted a working relationship with AM Solar going in. Our current two OEM panels are fine but I’m ready to step up my Solar game and AM Solar has a great reputation for doing the job right. Kent 1 Likes
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #38 – September 28, 2019, 10:12:23 am Kent,My I suggest you get in touch with AM Solar sooner rather then later. They can get very busy fast. On the phone they can be a bit slow but in person they are great. <smile> bring you checkbook with some $$$$$ in it.......glen
Re: Help! LD won't start! Reply #39 – September 28, 2019, 12:55:25 pm Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - September 27, 2019, 08:02:45 pmOrdered this monitor the other day. Purchased mine from AM Solar instead of Amazon. I plan on having more Solar added to our RB in a year or so and wanted a working relationship with AM Solar going in. When upgrading to more panels, be sure to increase the lead-in wire size, from the panels to the controller, to prevent power loss from the small, stock wiring.Another choice is to wire the panels in series, to retain the stock wire. This will work but if shadows cover one of the panels, the whole system shuts down. Many LDs have the wire run, from the roof to the controller, accessible for disassebly and replacement with larger wire. The roof connection usually needs to be upsized for the larger wires. Don't worry too much about making this a water-proof installation., LD uses a very fancy device for the job.LD uses a simple electrical box cover plate, screwed to the roof, with a water-proof, 90 degree fitting installed, used with waterproof conduct.It's sealed with a lot of polyurethane. It's effective but not exactly high-tech.And they worry about any of us drilling a single hole in the roof or adding a screw. Makes me laugh.Larry 2 Likes
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