Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Battery & Charger Questions (Read 6 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Battery & Charger Questions
Yahoo Message Number: 23509
I have some questions on the LD's batteries & charging system, and I would apppreciate any opinions that group members might have on the following:

1.)  LD uses "wet-cell" batteries.  From what I've read, these are a  bit more inconvenient than AGM batteries (requires water to be added)  but are also less tempermental.  Is this a reasonable way to look at  it?  
2.)  LD said they use a Parralax converter to charge the batteries.
 I believe I read somewhere that this is not as good a setup as having  a separate battery charger, but I don't know why the author said  this.  Can someone tell me what the converter does and whether this  is a reasonable battery-charging system?  Also, would a new battery  charger need to be installed if AGM batteries were added sometime in  the future?  
3.)  If I understand correctly, the batteries can be charged either  from shore power, the solar panels, the engine or the generator.  Do  the batteries recharge automatically from whatever power is  available, or is there some manual process that you need to go  through?  
4.)  Does the charger shut off automatically after the batteries are  fully charged?  
5.)  The latest option prices that were posted to the group include
 an inverter option.  LD said that they do not offer a stand-alone inverter.  Is this offered only as part of the Entertainment Center?

Thanks,

Dave
Re: Battery & Charger Questions
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23512
Quote

1.)  LD uses "wet-cell" batteries.  From what I've read, these are
 a bit more inconvenient than AGM batteries (requires water to be
added)
 
Quote
but are also less tempermental.  Is this a reasonable way to look at it?
Not really. AGM batteries are not fragile under charge conditions as gel-cells can be. They accept up to four times the charge rate of flooded-cell models such as LD uses. They also require less charge repenishment to top off, and this can be significant if you are conserving via solar power.

On balance, though, it would be hard to justify replacing the golf cart batteries in a new LD with these - that type is rugged, and most of the advantages of AGMs would not apply to a standard LD setup.
Folks mostly consider the AGM option for replacement in older models which don't have vented storage for more than one battery, or if higher capacity via more batteries is desired.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Battery & Charger Questions
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23517
5.) The latest option prices that were posted to the group include
 an inverter option. LD said that they do not offer a stand-alone inverter. Is this offered only as part of the Entertainment Center? ____

I jusy recently spoke to Steve at LD and the inverter option has been dropped, so I have adjusted the options list to reflect that.

Right now the entertainment center is a project in the making, because of the weight savings in going from a regular TV to an LCD.
He may be making some alterations in its design. But he can't say as to what those changes will be until he gets his hands on it.

The LCD is the Sharp Aquos and is a 12 volt model.

Hope this helps

JC
Re: Battery & Charger Questions - inverter option?
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23652
Quote
I jusy recently spoke to Steve at LD and the inverter option has been dropped, so I have adjusted the options list to reflect that.
JC,

Does this mean that one can no longer order an inverter to go along with an order for the satellite dish?  This surprises me if true, as the inverter is needed to power the satellite receiver.

Also, did Steve indicate that the new Sharp LCD TV will be powered directly from a 12V supply, or through an inverter and DC adapter? The latter is my understanding of how the Sharp LCD TV's are sold.  I ask because I am interested in installing one in my 2003 MB.

Mike S.
2003 26.5 MB
'06 30' TB Anniversary Edition
Re: Battery & Charger Questions - inverter option?
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23657
Mike S.,

I'll try to put this in the best way possible without putting words in Steve's mouth, regarding his reply.

He said that with the 12 volt LCD TV you no longer have a need for an inverter. Although, he said that if you had other electronics that were in need of 110 volt that you could buy an inverter, he seemed to indicate that you could buy one on the outside. And that this type could be plugged into the cigarette lighter.

For instance if you had a DVD player or VCR, these are fairly low wattage and would not put too much of a load on the cigarette lighter. I would suggest going to http://www.exeltech.com  and get one of their True Sine Wave inverters, although a little more expensive than Modified Sine Wave inverters, they put out a cleaner power for our sensitive electronics and help eliminate interference.

Steve said that he was looking into other 12 volt alternatives such as, DVD Players, VCR's and so on, he wasn't all that impressed with what he saw.

Also you might click on the Links Button to the left, and I believe there is a link or two for finding 12 volt electronics as well as, if I remember correctly they have 12 volt Satellite System and VCR.

Hope this helps a little. I suggest calling Steve and getting it from the horses mouth, about the specifics that you may have regarding your whole entertainment center ideas.

Good Luck

JC
 
Re: Battery & Charger Questions - inverter option?
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23660
Thanks JC,

I actually have the LD installed inverter in my 2003 MB, but I am surprised that they will no longer install it in new coaches.  The trend in RV's is for more complex electronics, much of which will run on AC power (ex: personal video recorders, surround sound systems, etc.), and they seem to be going in the wrong direction on this one.
I am interested in whether there is a 12V cable available to drive an LCD TV, however.

thanks,

Mike S.
2003 26.5 MB
'06 30' TB Anniversary Edition