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Battery charging

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08-23-2012, 12:31 PM
Jim and Tere
Battery charging
Our 85 Regal has a converter that charges the house batteries. It works great. But I guess that it only charges the house batteries. We also have a rocker switch on the dash that connects the house batteries to the engine batteries if they need an assist in starting the engine. It's the type of switch that when you press it 'on' it stays on. My son-in-law told Tere that we should always leave this switch in the 'on' position because then the converter would keep the engine and house batteries charged. Right or Wrong?
Jim


Jim and TereJim and Tere

1985 Regal
29' Chevy 454 P32
8411 3172 29FP3B
Gear Vendor 6 Speed Tranny
08-23-2012, 01:43 PM
kokoken
quote:
o

Yes, I have that red rocker switch on my dash also but I don't know if house batteries can be charged thru the engine battery.. HELP


1979 24 footer
08-24-2012, 10:23 AM
Bruce & Kathleen
I have the same switch, but it is a momentary rocker switch, not maintained. Therefore, I could not do what you are suggesting unless I tape the switch in the closed position. I do not think this is the way to charge your chassis batteries, but I'm no expert. Your chassis batteries on your coach are no different then the battery in the vehicle you drive everyday. They are basically used to just start your coach and then they get replenished by your alternator. If your chassis batteries are drawn down in a few days while sitting, then you have a problem that needs attention. There would be some sort of draw on them that should not be. Mind you, most do not use their coach on a daily basis. So if you want to keep them up while sitting, use a battery tender.
kokoken---I will respond to your inquiry about battery tenders on your post....


9303 3855 33BS 1B
Bruce & Kathleen
1993 33' Front Entrance Breakaway
230HP Cummins 5.9, Allison 6 speed, Spartan Chassis, Nicely Optioned
08-24-2012, 10:50 AM
Tom & Loraine
My switch is momentary also. When I camp for more than a couple days I plug my battery tender in on the engine battery to keep it charged. I use my radio and iPod quite a bit which runs off the engine battery.

I thought about getting a dual purpose battery for the engine but I don't know if it's really necessary.
08-24-2012, 01:01 PM
bill h
Paralleling the batteries is good for charging, not so good for discharging. In particular, a chassis battery should not be subjected to deep discharge.

Except for starting. When I had dual batteries, I always paralleled for starting, just to get a more vigorous crank. .............Easier on the starter and very satisfying to hear that 502 roar into life almost instantaneously.

There is another use for the paralleling switch. .....On one occasion, the alternator failed, so I fired up the genset and finished the trip with the paralleling switch on and the genset charging both coach and chassis batteries.


.

84 30T PeeThirty-Something, 502 powered
08-24-2012, 01:43 PM
K&E
quote:
charge your chassis batteries



My chassis batteries and engine battery are in the same compartment. I made a jumper wire from a spare battery cable and two heavy-duty alligator clips. When I want to, I use this jumper wire.