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Topic: Truck Engine Battery Maintenance - Trickle Chargers/Battery Tenders (Read 321 times) previous topic - next topic
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Truck Engine Battery Maintenance - Trickle Chargers/Battery Tenders

I know that a good many LDOs have a variety of built-in upgrades to keep their engine batteries charged under various conditions to include devices like Ultra TRIK-L-START and solar power configurations.  One day a few weeks ago, I read that someone on the Forum was using a solar power charger that he placed on his LD dash (inside the front window) and plugged it into one (1) of the 12V sockets.  As I was exploring solar power chargers, I stumbled upon a 12V adapter for my Battery Tender at Amazon.com: Battery Tender Cigarette Lighter Adaptor - --: Automotive .  Bingo!

So I ordered this adapter and it's worked just fine.  I plan to use the Battery Tender with this 12V adapter to keep the truck battery charged during long-term storage since we have 120V shore power.

I understand that a device like TRIK-L-START is a better long-term solution and without the hassle of using something like a battery tender.  I may eventually install a  TRIK-L-START but I'll need help since I'm reluctant to mess with the truck's electrical system.  In the meantime, my $7.64 adapter is my solution.

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Re: Truck Engine Battery Maintenance
Reply #1 –
I really like Deltran battery tenders.  I use them on all of our motorized stuff (motorcycles, ancient FJ40, boat, Lazy Daze,etc.) that have starting batteries and have gotten some really long lives out of batteries that should have failed years earlier. 

I don't understand the real use for the 12v. plug adapter.  It means the power cord for the Deltran tender or the 120v extension cord has to go in the window or the door of the cab during storage. Why not just put a little 12v pigtail with ring connectors on your battery terminals and leave the Deltran inside the closed hood with the extension cord running into the engine bay from underneath? The pigtail eliminates the need for the clips on the terminals and makes the connection clean and easy.

Solar trickle chargers are helpful if you don't have 120v power, but when you do have it, the charging algorithm in the smart charger reduces the chance to under or over charge the battery, either of which is bad for the battery.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Truck Engine Battery Maintenance
Reply #2 –
To keep the battery charged, our 3000i solar charger has a separate charge line for the starting battery.
It seems to work fine, the battery is always up to the proper level.

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: Truck Engine Battery Maintenance
Reply #3 –
Our solar charger also does a great job keeping the start battery charged when the coach is outside.  Because we store it in a pipe barn, the 120v smart charger is needed.
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Truck Engine Battery Maintenance
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Blueox25  - 
I don't understand the real use for the 12v. plug adapter.  It means the power cord for the Deltran tender or the 120v extension cord has to go in the window or the door of the cab during storage.

We have 120V shore power in storage.  So I just plug the charger into an inside socket.  Easy.
Re: Truck Engine Battery Maintenance
Reply #5 –
I think  adding a trickle start beats installing wires from the solar controller to the chassis battery
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Truck Engine Battery Maintenance
Reply #6 –
Good idea.  That makes sense now. Hood stays down and tender is inside.

HD
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Truck Engine Battery Maintenance
Reply #7 –
My Toyota Sequoia sits on the street in front of the house so running a 120 volt extension to a standard battery maintainer isn’t practical.

Although I did purchase a solar charger and a controller for the truck, the cigarette lighter plug is only active while the key is turned to aux or the engine is running. This precludes the use of a cigarette lighter plug in.

I didn’t want to drill holes in the fire wall to run wires from the battery to a panel resting on the dash and I didn’t want to place the solar panel on the roof and risk theft so I’ve opted to drive the truck more often to maintain its battery.

Now the solar trickle charger system resides in the LD tucked away until I’m ready to do something useful with it like maintaining the LD chassis battery. The LD dash outlets are always on but then so is the window cover on the outside.

Money well spent? Maybe one day.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Truck Engine Battery Maintenance
Reply #8 –
Hi Kent. The solar controller that Larry Wade mentioned, the Solar Boost 3000i, I think, comes with newer LD's. It has a secondary output meant for keeping the chassis battery charged up. It isn't just a tap off of the house battery charging line, and has it's own logic to avoid overcharging the chassis battery. I believe that the mothership does run the wiring, and so you may already have a charger on your engine battery.  A call to Vince might ascertain whether your rig has that feature (if you have the 3000i).
  A quote out of the SB3000i PDF  "Auxiliary output serves as 2 amp auxiliary battery charger or 20 amp load/lighting controller"
  A link to BlueSky    Blue Sky Energy Inc. | Solar Boost 3000i
                                  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Truck Engine Battery Maintenance
Reply #9 –
 Recently we were away for a couple months this spring which is the longest time which we have left our 98~MB unused.  Before we went on our first trip after we got back I set the battery charger on low setting and connected it to the chassis battery the night before.  The next day the engine started fine and later when we were at altitude 6000 ft  it started with no problems.  We headed to the coast after a couple days.  While we were at altitude we had freezing temps and at the coast we had temps in the 60s to 70s.  That first morning on the coast we discovered that the chassis battery was dead and would not start the engine, I thought I left something on.  We carry a battery charger and a booster, so I used the booster to start the engine, later I cleaned the terminals and hooked up the battery charger for overnight.  Next morning Nothing!  Dead Battery.  I went to Costco and bought a new Chassis battery.  When I got home I brought the old Sears Die Hard into the local parts store, they charged it and tested it, Dead Battery.  So it died in 28 months from the previous owner who bought it right before they sold the LD to me.  There is a 36 month warranty on the battery but I have to make a ferry trip to Tacoma to the nearest Sears, so that will have to wait till we head south on our next trip again.
    I installed the 3000i Solar controller on the road right before this years Moro Bay GTG in March but was too busy to finish the job and did not run a charging wire to my Chassis battery.  I figured that we use the 98~MB often enough that there would only be a couple of months of down time.  Also while we are parked indoors the solar does not work.  So I was surprised that our chassis battery died so fast and with no indication even at altitude and cold temperatures and stranger that it died at sea level in warm temperatures.

                Karen~Liam
                  98 ~ MB
                    NinA


1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: Truck Engine Battery Maintenance
Reply #10 –
Ron,

Our ‘15 RB does in fact have the Blue Sky 3000i and yes it does charge the chassis battery but only after the coach batteries are brought to their max charge.

Once this charge has been achieved, the 3000i goes to “float” mode (I believe that’s correct) and then the chassis battery receives its charge (if there is still enough sunlight available).

In the instance of a shaded camp site or low hanging sun, adequate charging may not be achieved for the coach batteries and therefore the chassis battery will not receive any charge from the roof solar array (we have two 100 watt panels).

In the event of inadvertent chassis battery discharge, alternative “juice” to its battery is advisable. Know that the generator sends no charge to the chassis battery (how do I know? 😫 Not a happy lesson, I assure you).

As I mentioned in other threads, I now carry two lithium ion jumpers, a truck battery charger, extension cord, jumper cables and the little solar trickle charger. Bases...covered (I hope).

Kent 
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Truck Engine Battery Maintenance
Reply #11 –
Quote from: Blueox25  - 
Solar trickle chargers are helpful if you don't have 120v power, but when you do have it, the charging algorithm in the smart charger reduces the chance to under or over charge the battery, either of which is bad for the battery.

I recently performed some research on the subject and purchased a CTEK MUS 4.3 Test & Charge advanced charger with unique battery and alternator testing:

CTEK MUS 4.3 Test & Charge

Chet in Yorktown, Virginia
Re: Truck Engine Battery Maintenance
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Ed & Margee  - 
I know that a good many LDOs have a variety of built-in upgrades to keep their engine batteries charged under various conditions to include devices like Ultra TRIK-L-START and solar power configurations.  One day a few weeks ago, I read that someone on the Forum was using a solar power charger that he placed on his LD dash (inside the front window) and plugged it into one (1) of the 12V sockets.  As I was exploring solar power chargers, I stumbled upon a 12V adapter for my Battery Tender at Amazon.com: Battery Tender Cigarette Lighter Adaptor - --: Automotive .  Bingo!

So I ordered this adapter and it's worked just fine.  I plan to use the Battery Tender with this 12V adapter to keep the truck battery charged during long-term storage since we have 120V shore power.

I understand that a device like TRIK-L-START is a better long-term solution and without the hassle of using something like a battery tender.  I may eventually install a  TRIK-L-START but I'll need help since I'm reluctant to mess with the truck's electrical system.  In the meantime, my $7.64 adapter is my solution.

In the 1st 15 years of ownership, my '02 LD was stored for about 5- 6 months of the year under a metal roof (canopy - similar to your setup, Ed) and was plugged into 120V shore power. I set the solar controller on shore power and rarely had a problem keeping the coach bats. charged. I never had a chassis battery go dead and the LD always started easily in the spring. No trickle charger ever used and the LD was never started unless we took a trip S or W. So, Ed, are you using a trickle charger to mitigate a potential problem or ???

Chris
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Formerly: 2002 30' IB