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Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!

Many words have been expended on this LDO board about the merits, pro & con, of various battery charger/maintainer devices such as the vaunted Trk-L-Charge or the Amp-L-Charge. Today I was introduced to a new (to me) and different device, Battery Doctor. Reading about it, it would seem to be more advantageous than the others of its kind.

How about some comments from you gadgetteriers out there in Lazy Daze Land?


Amazon.com: WirthCo 1213.1241 20092 Battery Doctor 125 Amp/150 Amp Battery...

The Wirth Company also has many other items that may be of interest to an LDO.

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #1 –
My starter battery is kept fully charged with a solar charge regulator connected to the house battery's solar panels. It's a $30 solution that was easy to add to my system. I added a Bluetooth module (also $30) to the regulator so I can monitor it with my Renogy device monitor, which shows regulator input volts, output volts and current. It's worked well, even in cloudy, short days in winter.
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #2 –
Quote from: Eric Greenwell  - 
My starter battery is kept fully charged with a solar charge regulator connected to the house battery's solar panels. It's a $30 solution that was easy to add to my system.

Later model LDs came with a Blue Sky 3000i solar controller that charges the starting battery and the coach battery. Before installing the 3000i, the starting battery usually lasted only 2-3 years, the starting battery now installed is five years old and still appears to be good, but I am not sure how good it is since it is always being charged and never sits without charging for more than a day or two.

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: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #4 –

Hi Steve (Lazy Bones);  This device doesn't do what the Trik-L-Start does.  The pdf files for this reference a manual shut off switch, so they are useless! This is more like the Lazy Daze installed heavy duty relay switch of later model years.  This battery Doctor is categorized as a VSR; a Voltage Sensing Relay.  When the alternator is charging the chassis battery, this relay (switch) closes to also charge the auxiliary battery. When the engine is off, this relay stays on until both batteries voltages (shorted together) drop to disconnect the batteries.  I can't see how this could be a good thing for the chassis battery.  The Battle Born Battery Isolation Manager  (BIM)  LiFePO4 Battery Isolation Manager (BIM) | Battle Born Batteries  turns on and off in a timed cycle in order to check the voltage of the chassis battery, and won't re-connect after the engine alternator isn't providing power.
    What the TrikLStart does is use excess solar power, or converter power (shoreline or generator) to keep the chassis battery charged up. Something this 'Battery Doctor' won't do. My last chassis battery lasted over eight years in the LD. It was showing reduced voltage, so I replaced it. (I still use it in another car!)
   My Trik-L-Start didn't work with the lithium batteries, and the Amp-L-Start had stability issues.  I saw that RV Tito (a you tube video source) was using a $20 solar charge controller to charge his chassis battery.. I am using this  Amazon.com : HUINE 20A 12V 24V Auto IP68 Waterproof PWM Solar Charge...  hooked up to the Lithium batteries (solar charged) and this controller thinks it is a solar panel. It keeps the chassis battery charged in a lead acid profile. It hasn't seemed to overcharge that battery yet. This charger can go up to 20 Amps to provide power to my radio, CB radio and one power point on the dash also. (GPS)     RonB

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #5 –
Found this device which others claim is a replacement for Trik-L-Start.  The owner of Trik-L_Start passed away and that product is no longer available.  I loved the Trik-L_Start on my previous MH.

Xantrex | Auxiliary Battery Charger

Ron S
Re: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #6 –
I see that the Xantrex device charges the starting battery when the house voltage is at or above 13.0 V. This will draw down Lithium house batteries, which sit above 13 V with SoC above 50%.
2013 27’ Mid-Bath
2005 Honda CR-V
Re: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Keith S  - 
This will draw down Lithium house batteries, which sit above 13 V with SoC above 50%.
It might draw down the house batteries, but it's keeping the starter battery fully charged. That's the whole point of having it - priority charging of the starter battery. The potential weak point in the idea is it will stop charging the starter battery when the Lithium house battery drops below 13 volts, even though the house battery still has almost 50% charge. Of course, if you have solar power, or AC power for the house battery charger, the house battery will stay charged above 13 V, the Xantrex will keep charging the starter battery
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
Later model LDs came with a Blue Sky 3000i solar controller that charges the starting battery and the coach battery. Before installing the 3000i, the starting battery usually lasted only 2-3 years, the starting battery now installed is five years old and still appears to be good, but I am not sure how good it is since it is always being charged and never sits without charging for more than a day or two. Larry
I have the same concern, but if the battery will easily start the engine after the MH sits in sub-freezing weather for at least a couple days, I'll keep it. Still, if I have any suspicions about a 5+ year old battery, I'll get a new one.
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Eric Greenwell  - 
I have the same concern, but if the battery will easily start the engine after the MH sits in sub-freezing weather for at least a couple days, I'll keep it. Still, if I have any suspicions about a 5+ year old battery, I'll get a new one.

Our LD has an added 3-way marine battery switch that allows shutting the coach battery off, powering just the coach, or combining the starting battery and coach battery for jump-starting the engine. An added 2-gauge cable runs from the switch to the engine's starter.

I don't worry much about the starting battery, the lithium coach battery is more powerful than the starting battery. The lithium battery jumper carried in the Jeep can also be used to jump a dead battery.
Nothing can stop a day better than not being able to start the engine due to no source of battery power.

https://www.westmarine.com/dw/image/v2/BGFG_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-wm-master-catalog/default/dwc01c9492/images/orig/3831393_LRG.jpg?sw=800&sh=800

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: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
Our LD has an added 3-way marine battery switch that allows shutting the coach battery off, powering just the coach, or combining the starting battery and coach battery for jump-starting the engine. An added 2-gauge cable runs from the switch to the engine's starter. I don't worry much about the starting battery, the lithium coach battery is more powerful than the starting battery.
Larry
Have you tried using the coach lithium battery to jump-start a starter battery that is so low it won't turn over the engine (or maybe just barely)? My coach battery is a 12V, 200AH LiFe unit, so I'm concerned it will instantly exceed it's 240A peak discharge rating when it's connected to the coach battery, shut off, and the jump-start will fail. I don't think anything would damaged, but I'd still have an engine that isn't running.

My present plan is to use a 20A charger running off the inverter, charge the starter battery for at least an hour, then try starting it. Even two hours of charging - 40 AH - would take less than 25% of the coach battery capacity. Of course, the generator could be started to keep the coach battery charged during the charging of the starter battery.
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #11 –

I think this is a cheaper and simpler solution to jump-start your LD --  Jump-Starter Portable Power Supply

glen

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Eric Greenwell  - 
Have you tried using the coach lithium battery to jump-start a starter battery that is so low it won't turn over the engine (or maybe just barely)? My coach battery is a 12V, 200AH LiFe unit, so I'm concerned it will instantly exceed it's 240A peak discharge rating when it's connected to the coach battery, shut off, and the jump-start will fail. I don't think anything would damaged, but I'd still have an engine that isn't running.

Using the coach battery, I disconnected the starting battery and the engine started without hesitation.
A single 100-amp/hr Battlerborn battery will surge to 200 amps, having a pair of them, 400 amps are available, more than enough to start the engine. The battery's 250-amp fuse did not blow when using the coach battery to start the engine, I would assume starting the engine requires less than 250 amps.
Our LD has been wired with the marine battery switch for over 18 years and the coach battery has been used to start the engine several times over the years without problems.

If the starting battery is low, connecting the coach battery to the starting battery and letting it sit for a while, without starting, should charge the starting battery enough to start the engine without exceeding your lithium's capacity.
IMO, being able to connect the batteries through a battery switch is a good thing.

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: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #13 –

Hi Glen;  Your solution has it's advantages. It can be used on a towed vehicle or another one of your vehicles. It can also be used on other people's motorhomes, or their vehicles.  For the extra $14 I'd get the 'Heavy Duty' version.  Amazon.com: Antigravity Micro-Start XP-20-HD Heavy Duty Lithium Jump-Starter...   .  
   I have an older  DB power. Maybe I don't check it often enough, but it always seems to be pretty low on charge when I want to use it.  If the battery that needs assisting is below about 9.0 volts, it won't connect at all.   RonB

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #14 –
"IMO, being able to connect the batteries through a battery switch is a good thing."

That's how I feel. Over the years I heard enough stories of failed or (worse) flaky isolators. Finally I just bypassed the isolator, and instead wired up a heavy-duty Blue Sea battery switch between the house and engine batteries. I got a dual-circuit switch and used the second circuit to activate a flashing red LED that I put in my monitor panel, so I wouldn't forget and leave the house and engine batteries connected. In practice, I rarely needed to bridge the two, but it was good to know that when I did, I had a manually controlled connection that I could rely on to work every time. I've never known a Blue Sea battery switch to fail.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
 
Re: Battery Doctor --- for what it's worth!
Reply #15 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
Many words have been expended on this LDO board about the merits, pro & con, of various battery charger/maintainer devices such as the vaunted Trk-L-Charge or the Amp-L-Charge. Today I was introduced to a new (to me) and different device, Battery Doctor. Reading about it, it would seem to be more advantageous than the others of its kind.

How about some comments from you gadgetteriers out there in Lazy Daze Land?


Amazon.com: WirthCo 1213.1241 20092 Battery Doctor 125 Amp/150 Amp Battery...

The Wirth Company also has many other items that may be of interest to an LDO.
The Amazon ad says it’s not recommended for lithium.
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Dale from Downey 27’ 2012 RB,”Casa Verde”, 2000 Jeep Wrangler. Formerly1991 RB & 1990 Jeep Wrangler.