Keeping chassis batteries charged on shore power

[Jeff Fitzloff]

I am looking for a solution that will keep the chassis batteries topped off while plugged into shore power. I am looking a using an Echo Charger system as a better solution than a battery tender. Do any of you have an recommendations or cautions on my idea? This is on a 2005 Santiam.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Jeff,
The Echo Charger is probably the simplest solution as it charges the chassis batteries once the house batteries are fully charged (~13.1 -13.3v). The alternative BIRD system charges both battery sets but requires addition of a solonoid. Instructions/descriptions for both systems are in Private Members Coach Assist.
What system did the coach originally come with?
Steve

[Gerald Farris]

Jeff,
I though that Monaco installed a "BIRD" system on all 2005 Beavers, and if so you might be well served to repair your 'BIRD" system instead of installing an Echo Charger. However, if you do not have or do not want to repair a "BIRD", I would strongly consider the Magnum ME-SBC over the Xantrex Echo Charger. The Magnum unit handles a higher amperage load (25 amps instead of 15amps), has a better reputation, has a solenoid control for higher amperage loads, and has adjustable voltage set points. https://www.amazon.com/Magnum-Energy-ME-SBC-Auto-Detect-Transfers/dp/B007HS0UYO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525184379&sr=8-1&keywords=magnum+smart+battery

Gerald

[Bill Sprague]

I'm never sure it is a good idea to post after Steve and Gerald!  I also know nothing about the Santium.

My son had dead chassis battery problems and installed a product called "TRIK-L-START".  It has continued to work for years.  I read that Winnebago used them a lot.

http://www.lslproducts.net/TLSPage.html
https://winnebagoind.com/resources/service/pdfs/2006-04%20Trik-L-Start.pdf

[Doug Allman]

I second Bills advice. I do not know how there ever could be any better than Gerald or Steve on Beaver knowledge. Complete encyclopedias and willing to go the mile to get that info to anyone.  It doesn't get any better than that and Thank YOU Gerald and Steve.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Thank you gentlemen but you give me way too much credit. Gerald, on the other hand, deserves it and more.
Steve

[Jeff Fitzloff]

I have no idea where to look for the Bird System or the Magnum, where do I look?

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Jeff,
See picture. They are normally back by/in the battery compartment. The picture is from my 07 Contessa. BIRD is mounted on the "door" and Big Boy is large  solenoid on the right.
Steve

[David T. Richelderfer]

Our inverter/charger is a Xantrex as opposed to your Magnum.  Be that as it may be, our inverter/charger is located in the basement up off the floor on the front side of the wall which separates the basement storage compartment from the waste tank compartment.  Our inverter/charger can be accessed from either the right or left side of the coach through basement doors because it's bolted to that wall exactly in the center of the coach relative to left and right.  The inverter/charger is a metal box about 1'x1'x10", and weighs about 50 to 75 pounds.

We have a remote panel for programming and monitoring the inverter/charger.  Our remote panel is located high overhead in a cupboard over the coach entry steps.

[Jeff Fitzloff]

Ok thank you this is great information! I do know I have a Magnum Inverter and control panel, I will explore more this week end.

[Mike Tomas]

Now I do have an original Xantrex inverter with the Echo Charger, and when I store, I set the power control module to 15A max draw and use the following product below to pull 120Vac 15A service to both legs of my coach.

After troubleshooting an Echo Charger issue, the Xantrex and echo charger has been doing just fine at topping off both banks of batteries. I try to get in to check on the coach at least once a week and I always check the batteries to see if they are fully charged.

Maybe and If the Magnum has an internal battery charger, this little adapter below is possibly all you need if all is working well. But make sure your using a 10AWG extension cable so your not dropping voltage over the 150 feet of power cable to your inverter.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Dogbone-Electrical-Adapter-PowerGrip/dp/B00HRHWHNW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525443546&sr=8-1&keywords=Camco+RV+Dogbone+Electrical+Adapter+With+PowerGrip+Handle%2C+15+Amp+Male+to+50+Amp+Female%2C+12-Inch


If your still looking for a battery charger, I must admit i'm a little biased toward Xantrex's "True Charge 40" line. They are a "smart charger" and constantly adapt to current draw and battery status. As a Broadcast Engineer specializing on the dSNG and dENG fleet of microwave trucks, I would install these to charge 2 or 3 banks of Optima batteries in the vans while additionally providing enough current to handle parasitic loads such as multiple cell phones, and 2-way radios, so the True Charge 40+ would additionally act as the main Converter in the circuit as well.  http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/battery-chargers/truecharge-2-2.aspx


-Just my .02¢ of input. -Not to be confused with the $2.00 input from others.