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Storage and battery voltage levels

Yahoo Message Number: 115918
I have acquired indoor storage for the coach for this winter. It has 110 volt power available. My question is if I plug the shore cord into this will it keep my chassis and house batteries charged?

Thanks for your help.

Dennis Holmes
2006 Intrigue 530
#12055

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115919
My 2004 Intrigue is on 20amp for 8 months each year for the past 14 years. House batteries stay at "Float" but I use a Battery Tender to make certain the Chassis battery is also at "Float" at all times. The echo charger should have done the job but it was junk. Safe travels.

Jeff Thurston
42ft. Ovation 400ISL
11630

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115920
Yes, that is the purpose of the Echo charger, or Magnum SBC (Smart Battery Charger). So your inverter charger is charging your house batteries and when they are full charge, they will flow current (thru the Echo or SBC) to the chassis batteries to charge them too. So if your Echo or SBC has an issue, the chassis batteries won't charge.

Greg
06 Magna

2006 Magna Rembrandt C13
2016 Jeep GC toad

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115924
Yes as long as the batteries are already near full charge before you plug in. Make sure everything else is unplugged or off. Flip your hot water breakers off. My coach charges with salesman switch on or off, not sure if this is true for every coach. Also trip your gfi outlets before plugging in.

Alex Ritchey CC Affinity B&B

P.S. any of these could cause the breaker at the supply side (external) power to trip.

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115929
That era coach should have a comb 3 or even 4 stage Smart Charger/Inverter combo. Suggest you review your manuals and charger side settings, to make sure everything is set for your battery type. (If you have wet cell batteries, one set of parameters. If you have AGM, an different set of parameters.)

I'd also suggest you check to see if you're getting a charge with the salesman and main power switches off. (Main switch in many CC's are back in the last bay of the Passenger side.) Turn off both switches, plug into a power source, and check to see if you're charger is sending power charging juice to the batteries.

We have one friend with a coach that did not have a sophisticated enough OEM Smart Charger/Inverter. Instead of upgrading his full system, he picked up a Battery Minder which he has permanently mounted in his battery bay (AGM batteries, so now outgassing.), he then just plugs into a 12GA (Probably overkill, suspect 14GA would be more then adequate.) extension cord. And this unit maintains his battery bay well. (I have one of these units two, and have used it while doing different projects on the coach to keep the batteries up when we had our Magnum off for various reasons.)

Amazon.com: BatteryMinder 128CEC1: 12V 2/4/8 AMP Battery Charger - Maintainer...

Best of luck to you,
Smitty
As an Amazon Associate Country Coach Owners Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115932
Any 110v circuit (even 15a) will be enough to keep the batteries up, assuming they're charged when you plug in. It only takes about 5a at 110v to put 50a of charge into the battery banks.
But note: if you're on a 15a circuit you won't be able to run any other electrics, or you'll risk tripping the breaker, so be sure water heater, floor heat, fridge are all turned off before you leave the coach.
Don Hutchins
'08 Allure 470 #31613
Don Hutchins
'08 Allure 470 #31613
40' w/tag, Cat C-9 & Cat tranny

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115934
Thanks, everyone for your help. We've always lived in the coach but due to health reasons need to store and winterize it for a year or so.

Dennis Holmes
2006 Intrigue
#12055

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115935
Just be sure to check that the Echo charger is still working. Many have had issues with them and they quit (although mine is still fine, but I do carry a spare Magnum SBC for the day when it finally goes). There is a little green light on Echo charger to indicate it is charging ( mine is in inverter compartment), or just check the voltage to be sure it is at about 13.4 volts at chassis batteries (float). If it only shows 12 or so volts, your Echo is shot.

Greg
06 Magna

2006 Magna Rembrandt C13
2016 Jeep GC toad

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115939
Thanks. One other question. My manual says the low point water drains are located under the cover of the water pump but I removed the cover and the only lines were connected to the water pump with a third possibly drain line tee'd into one of these lines connected to the water pump. Are these the low point drains?

Thanks,

Dennis Holmes
2006 Intrigue
#12055

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115944
On our intrigue, the outside shower head is used as the low point drain.

Tom R

2006 Intrigue. 12057

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115945
On our 04 Allure, built Sept 2003, behind the water bay access panel, we have hoses with small T- Valves that open for draining and assisting in something I've heard called 'Winterizing' (We've never winterized, so that may be CC lore:)!).

Best of luck to you on that too,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115946
May the Bird of Paradise say Hello on your windshield Smitty.

From a Northern New Englander

2003/4 Intrigue 42 Ovation
11630

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115948
LOL do have to agree with Smitty though what is winterizing? When I put on a long sleeve shirt!!

Ray

They say wine improves with age! As I enter my golden years, I say age improves with wine! The Born Loser

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115952
Thanks so much for all of your help. This forum has always been terrific. Another question: I have a residential refrigerator. I can't find a manual for the ice maker. I would like to know how to activate it so I can fill the ice cube tray and then empty it with a turkey baster or equivalent and then activate it again etc... until the pink antifreeze fills it and then empty and dry it out. Anyone know how to do that?

Dennis Holmes
2006 Intrigue 530
#12055

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115953
Yeah, that's always been our plan was to stay where there is no need to winterize. Stuff happens to waylay the best laid plans.

Dennis Holmes
2006 Intrigue 530
#12055

Re: Storage and battery voltage levels

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 115954
LOL yup life is what happens while you are busy making other plans!

Ray

They say wine improves with age! As I enter my golden years, I say age improves with wine! The Born Loser