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Chassis battery charge
I’m about to remove my lower entertainment center for some mods and while it is out would like to install a modern charger for the chassis batteries.
Is there a recommended unit I should install?
Thanks for your insight.
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11 Replies
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Any smart three stage charger will work. The Guest charger has been used in a number of coaches.
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I would not install the Guest charger that is found in some coaches. I know of one fire that destroyed a coach and one near fire from these chargers. Buy an intelligent 24V charger; not a 12V charger with dual outputs. FWIW, the Guest charger that had problems is a 12V charger with two outputs. I would also discourage mounting the charger directly above the chassis batteries, which was the case in the fire and near fire. I have an IOTA charger mounted inside the tool chest bay. I’m not for or against the IOTA charger; it was there when I bought the coach.
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You mention removing your E Center…you are talking about Chassis batteries, which wont be around your E Center….Just trying to clarify…..
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Jeff,
You’re right, the chassis batteries are not near the e center. Chassis batteries are in a slide out tray behind the tag tire, starboard side and the e center is in the center. The chassis battery charger is right behind the e center smack dab in the middle of the bus right next to the invertors and Webasto. Sounds worse for access than it is but having the e center out makes it real easy.
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Chuck,
You showed me where your charger lives and the Guest 24v would be a good fit.
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Unless Tom knows which Guest charger was the fire hazard I would steer clear of their product, even though I know they have some good products. All I know of the bad units were that they were 24V through 2 12V outputs. Both were mounted directly above the chassis batteries. Both failed through a physical meltdown where molten battery charger material fill on the cover over the chassis batteries. Maybe they weren’t designed to be mounted upside down, maybe they weren’t installed with fuses, maybe…
Here’s one that’s been in my coach for years without a problem. http://www.amazon.com/DLS-27-15-AUTOMATIC-BATTERY-CHARGER-SUPPLY/dp/B0074JVPEA
You can also do a search for 24V Marine Battery chargers. Don’t get one with dual 12V outputs, make sure it’s a smart or 3 stage charger. 15A should be more than enough. If cost is not a big consideration, buy a Charles Industry 24V/20A charger.
Based on were you described your charger to be installed make sure you install a fuse at both the charger and the connection to the battery. If you can physically protect the wiring between the charger and chassis batteries, you can get by with a fuse at the battery. Fuses are cheap, so I recommend them at the battery and charging source.
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This is what I had in the Libery and beats the shit out of me if it smokes, burns or catches your bus on fire, Liberty installed it and it worked well. I’ve also used the smaller Guests without problems.
Gil – which ones are reported to be bad?
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Tom,
Like I said, all I know is it has 2 12V outputs. Keep in mind I said maybe it was an installation problem. I saw one that melted down. Thankfully the owner was there asnd unplugged it. The molten mess on the battery cover was not good. The other was described to me by the owner. The fire investigastor determined it to be the charger. Both were late model XLs.
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I have no opinion about Guest or any other chargers, but I do have an opinion about fire investigators.
After we had our bus fire and I saw exactly what was happening, including what was feeding the fire I was surprised when the insurance company hired an investigator and he concluded the fire started due to a problem with battery cables.
The fire in fact was freon under pressure from the system escaping from the compressor seal, igniting due to a locked compressor (clutch) making the engine driven belts catch fire which in turn created a freon blow torch. That sent a rather impressive flame from behind the compressor clutch, which curled up behind the tail light stack, igniting and melting the lights, then the flame curled across the top of the engine bay setting the plastic battery cases on fire. Since house and chassis batteries were all located in the same general area they in turn burned all the wiring and cable insulation.
The compressor had been changed 400 miles prior and the Carrier shop that did the change out failed to replace the unloader valves that would have limited the AC system internal pressure.
The investigator that blamed the charger may have been right, but the one involved with my bus fire did not have a clue.
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Chuck,
Here’s a good source for lot’s of different charger options: Chargers
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Thanks gents. I can certainly count myself luckt to have benefit of the informative discussion attendant to
somefine recommendations. I now feel much better able to make a decision in this matter.
Once I get into the bowels of the creature I will report back here.
Thanks again.
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