trickle charger in 34J

[Our-first-class-A]

Hello everyone, Just winterized and covered coach. I removed the batteries like I did in all my other campers/fifth wheels. Does the motorhome have a trickle type charger on it? The previous owner never took the batteries out and kept the coach plugged in 24/7. The batteries are standard deep cycle lead acid batteries. I was going to get a trickle charger for my coach batteries and boat batteries. If I can leave the coach plugged in and it will keep the batteries charged I would totally do that. I have been told the onboard from the factory is not as efficient as a trickle charger. Any advice is welcome!!

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Our-first-class-A

Hello everyone, Just winterized and covered coach. I removed the batteries like I did in all my other campers/fifth wheels. Does the motorhome have a trickle type charger on it? The previous owner never took the batteries out and kept the coach plugged in 24/7. The batteries are standard deep cycle lead acid batteries. I was going to get a trickle charger for my coach batteries and boat batteries. If I can leave the coach plugged in and it will keep the batteries charged I would totally do that. I have been told the onboard from the factory is not as efficient as a trickle charger. Any advice is welcome!!

I’d probably disconnect my batteries but leave them in the coach on a Battery Tender (specific brand I have learned to trust) if I had power available. As it is, my storage lot does not have such a convenience so I disconnect my house batteries and call it good. I do usually run the generator for an hour or two monthly but I don’t think it is sufficient for a full recharge. Most winters I use the coach once or twice or I bring it home so I can plug it in and tinker with it for an 8 hour day. My flooded batteries seem to last three or four years so I plan to replace them every three years with new ones from Batteries Plus at about $100 each. Works for me.

[Our-first-class-A]

Ok thank you. I just did not know if the charger in the coach was any better in an rv vs trailer. I am fortunate enough to have my coach at home with 50 amp hook up.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Our-first-class-A

Ok thank you. I just did not know if the charger in the coach was any better in an rv vs trailer. I am fortunate enough to have my coach at home with 50 amp hook up.

Thor MC plant 750 generally uses World Family Company (WFCO) power centers which use their own three stage converters. They have been proven to work well in most situations. The third stage is float, which means the trickle charge voltage floats from 13.1 to 13.5 volts depending on the condition of the batteries and the temperature of the charger. With this type of charger, you can leave the coach on shore power and be assured all batteries will remain fully charged. Be sure to check the water level every month as the will tend to use more water in the winter do to the way the charger works.

The drawback to this charger is there is no equalization function and the temperature of the battery compartment is not monitored. The equalization function is to overcharge the batteries so that they out-gas and stir the electrolyte which tends to stratify over time if the batteries are not used. Some chargers also send a high voltage A/C current to the batteries to de-sulfate the batteries, but if this procedure works as intended is a contentious subject. The better chargers also monitor battery temperature as opposed to assuming the batteries and the charger are at the same temperature.

I live with a three stage charger; a PPS 5355 with TempAssure which has worked well for 4 years. In-fact, I still have one of the original Harris batteries installed and last summer it checked out fine. I suspect I will have to replace it this spring.

[Our-first-class-A]

thank you