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liscense plate light and battery charger

Yahoo Message Number: 66697

Have a 2007 CC Inspire #51957, Looking to change the liscense plate light but don't want to break it trying. Has anyone done that. I can't see how to get it out.
Also, have tried three or four battery chargers for the engine battery and they keep burning out. What am I doing wrong? Is there a good one anyone has used? Tried putting the charger on a timer, tried plugging it in for a day. I have used the "Battery Tender" and that didn't work. Scratching my head as to why CC didn't put the engine battery on charge like the house batteries.

Thanks for any help, Mickey / Dashdon43

Re: liscense plate light and battery charger

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66701
I assume you are burning out the fancy electronic controlled chargers, they are not designed to charge more then one battery at a time. A bank of batteries overloads them, experience talking. Have you tried a bigger Battery Tender, such as the 1.25 or above models? The small unit does not have enough capacity. You can install a Echo charger to keep the starting bank up. They work well. For a battery charger you have to go heavy duty more to the profession shop level. Sears has several but they are more manuel in control. You would want one that has a 2 amp maintenance charge and a 30 to 40 amp output. They are large.

This charger might do what you want in a smaller package:

http://www.batterychargers.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductName=94080027
I would call and ask for sure, but the spec. sheet does not give a time limit as the smaller, cheaper of theres do. The problem with the smaller ones is the duty cycle, it is only max output for 15 minutes or so. That is why they burn out, have to have one that has full output without limit.

The less expensive echo charger is from these folks: http://amsolar.com/index.html
Do not see it listed on the website, would have to call. they sold me one to work with my solar update. Cost $60 I believe. Simple install and seems to work well, but has a small charge rate. It does keep the starter batters up.

Leonard Kerns
97' Magna 5418

Re: battery charger

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66703
You didn't mention exactly how you had the battery charger connected. If you connected the charger clamps directly to the terminals of only one coach starting battery many of the smaller automatic automotive chargers should do the trick if you make sure the charger is set to the right setting - not the high output for start assist, etc. You may have the charger connected across an entire battery bank or even both banks.
I'm sure somebody has already mentioned your Echo charger and how it works to you.

Just a thought.

Jim M '02 Intrigue #11410 ISL 400

Re: liscense plate light and battery charger

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66705
I have had good luck with the Waterproof Power Tender Plus 12V @ 5A from Battery Tender. I keep it in a bay that has a 120v outlet, not in the battery compartment. I attached permanent contacts to the chassis battery and use an extension to hook up the charger when I am parked for more than a few days. I leave it hooked up all of the time I am not traveling. After two+ years, I have had no problems.

Regards,
Bob Barnett

1998 CC Magna #5489

Re: liscense plate light and battery charger

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66707
Mickey,

Go for a Guest Charger, model 2611A. I have installed several of them in my previous Prevosts for the 24v chassis batteries and they work great while being waterproof. Since your using for 12v only, the 2611A comes with two leads for dual 12v batteries and steps down to float when the batteries are up. Shop around, but you can find them at West Marine: West Marine
Tom

Trans-Specialists/Lifeline Batteries
01 Magna 5999

http://www.trans-specialists.net/

Re: liscense plate light and battery charger

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66712
I also have a 07 Inspire. You should have an Echo Xantrex echo charger for the engine battery. On my coach the echo charger was installed in the battery compartment which is exposed to weather and road spray and therefore the charger didn't last long. I installed a new echo charger in the compartment directly behind the battery compartment which is enclosed. If you have one the first thing to do is check the inline fuzes. If the fuzes are good check the output voltage which should be the same as the inverter/charger output for the house batteries. I have also heard other owners posting that their echo charge was wired backwards.

Dave

07 Inspire 52060

Re: liscense plate light and battery charger

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66713
Mickey: I find it hard to believe that your coach does not have an echo charger on it. I think you have one but it may not be working. Normally, if you are plugged into shore power, the chassis battery should get charged through the echo charger.
I don't think you need an additional charger, just get the one you have working.
We just went through an extensive discussion on echo chargers which you can find through the archives.

Richard Owen '05 Inspire 51442

Re: liscense plate light and battery charger

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66722
If you don't have an echo charger or it is not working you could try a Magnum Secondary battery charger. We replaced our failed echo charger with it and it is more customizable than the echo and cheaper as well (about $99 for the charger itself from West Marine).
I have some posts on my blog about it -- both the good & the bad -- but woudl definitely recommend it over the Xantrex Echo Charger.

Re: liscense plate light and battery charger

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 66730
Most battery chargers are only designed to to charge one battery at a time.
When charging multiple batteries, you need a "fleet" charger. these are designed for the increased load of multiple batteries.
One is already installed on the coach and should have an Echo Charger to maintain the starter batteries. If not, I would get one installed.
The Echo Charger only charges the starter batteries after the house batteries have reached 13 volts. If for some reason the house batteries are unable to be charged to the 13 volts, the starter batteries will not be charged.
On my coach, the sensor wires were reversed. The control panel as reading the starter batteries as the house batteries. In this case, the starter batteries were not maintained because it was being told the house batteries were below the 13 volts.
I switched the sensor wires to the proper battery bank and the charge as they should.
If you google Xantrex Echo Charger, you will find the manual for more info.

Greg

'99 Magna #5652