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Battery Maintenance devices

Yahoo Message Number: 2556
I have been reading up on some of the devices available to help maintain lead-acid batteries. One such device is the Solargizer manufactured by PulseTech Corporation in Texas. Has anyone used one of these devices on 8D chassis and house batteries? I am looking for something that can help maintain the batteries in my coach while in storage. I need to use something solar since I do not have access to any power for a charger.

Your comments pro and con are appreciated.

Jim Hughes

Jacksonville, FL

2000 Allure Chandler #30511

Re: Battery Maintenance devices

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2573
Quote
I have been reading up on some of the devices available to help > maintain lead-acid batteries. One such device is the Solargizer > manufactured by PulseTech Corporation in Texas. Has anyone used

one

Quote
of these devices on 8D chassis and house batteries? I am looking

for

Quote
something that can help maintain the batteries in my coach while

in

Quote
storage. I need to use something solar since I do not have access

to

Quote
any power for a charger.
First off, do you have a Master Battery disconnect switch? It will be important to disconnect "all" battery loads for extended time without actually charging your batteriers. I have used Solargizer on small new dump truck parked outside in sunlight. There is some drain on the battery for the vehicle (clock & radio memory) and the Solargizer will not offset it. After sitting in the sun for 2-3 weeks the truck starts hard and sometimes I even have to "jumpstart" the battery. Solargizer is not really there to "charge" the battery just to help keep it from "sulfating." Why not look into solar panels for roof of coach? None will work if your storage is inside though.

Bill-PA-CC Prevost '98

Re: Battery Maintenance devices & now solar panels

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2576
I am using outside storage. In Florida we have plenty of sun. I have thought about solar panels, but am concerned of the constant charging and possible damage to the batteries through sulfation. I do have a disconnect switch and turn them both off while the coach is stored. Storage is not much more than a few weeks at a time between times of use for at least the day or weekend. The chassis and house batteries (3 - 8D total) are original and seem to only last a short time while using the inverter or lights. So sulfation may already be a problem.

I relize that the Solargizer is not intended for charging. However, I wonder if they will offer a renewal of some life into my already tired batteries? Since I have 1 - 8D battery for the chassis and 2 - 8D's for the house circuits, will I need to use two solargizers or will one do the job?

I have thought about the solar panels, but not sure where to begin.
Any suggestions? Has anyone installed solar panels to their Country Coach? In particular, a 2000 Allure Chandler?

Jim Hughes

Jacksonville, FL

2000 Allure Chandler #30511

Re: Battery Maintenance devices & now solar panels

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2580
Hi Jim. I have used a 100 watt solar panel for several years but really do not understand how it works. However, the solar panel should not cause any damage to the batteries as long as a good controller is used.
With all your sunshine get a good controller so you can add panels in the future. On my previous gas Bounder I got 5 years out of my Trojan 6 volt batteries and I strongly believe it was due to the solar setup. I only had 24,000 miles on it when I traded for my 2000 Allure recently. I have had good vibes with backwoodssolar at www.backwoodssolar.com. Others rave about www.rvsolarelectric.com. Something tells me though that the CC Allure, etc are going to be different...Perhaps it is due to the electronic devices but it sounds like many people only get 2-3 years out of their 8D batteries. There seem to be many more parasitic loads. I just replaced all my batteries and while I kept the 8D for the chassis I switched to 4 6volt batteries for the house part. Shall see what happens.

On Thu, 29 Aug 2002 18:11:47 -0000 "kc4fws" kc4fws@...> writes:
 

Re: Battery Maintenance devices & now solar panels

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2587
Jim,

We have solar panels on our 2001 Magna and they work fine. We store our coach for several months at a time. We also had solar panels on a 96 safari and our batteries were still good when we trades in 2000. It's important to check the water regularly and use distilled water.

Bill G. 2001 Magna