[Jimmy]

That’s a good article and explains it well.

[Dan]

I don’t believe my inverter/charger was incorrectly charging my batteries. I don’t think they went from bulk to float too rapidly, rather the batteries were not discharged all that much. But I don’t know, and that is one of the reasons I got new Magnums, but only one of the reasons. About 6 or 8 months ago, I conducted a rudimentary load test on my batteries individually, and determined that 1 of them did not perform as well as the other 4. Its voltage fell off more rapidly and did not recover as well. My test was only a comparison between the 5 batteries, and 4 performed equally and better than the 5th. I removed the bad battery and have been running only 4 since. Performance improved, but it is nothing like before. The other night, after 9 hours of running a roof A/C fan, AquaHot with one heater on, and refrigerator, my auto generator start cranked the generator, at 11 volts. That is not many amp hours used. While warranty help from Lifeline would be welcome, my main concern is buying the right batteries and treating them properly to get more life from them. It seems that a smart regulator for my 300 amp alternator would be available and would help. I don’t do it regularly, but after a night of inverting, I would rather charge the batteries with the engine while traveling than also running the generator.

[Dan]

That link was a good read Jon. Might be worthy of adding it to the “Good Links” article in the Articles section .

[Archived]

Casey, based on your comment “Performance improved but is nothing like before” triggered the thought that the plates are sulfated. Lifelines can, unlike other AGM manufactures, be run through a equalization procedure. I too have new Magnums, and seem to recall they have an equalization mode. But if the sulfate has hardened onto the plates due to the passage of time, equalization will not recover them. If the sulfate is still soft, then they should recover.

I have not equalized AGMs. But the procedure involves the batteries getting into the 15 volt area (12 volt system), so have no loads attached to the batteries.

[Doug]

There is the problem in a nutshell. Attempting to rely on the alternator to charge batteries, even if it is dedicated to the specific set means the regulator has to perform as the inverters do. There may be excellent smart alternators that will perform as the inverters do, but why?

What you save in fuel and wear and tear on a generator is used to buy batteries prematurely.

Our generators under hard steady use are good for 30,000 hours or more. As long as we are dragging that extra weight around with us we should use them hard and often to keep them healthy. You now may be seeing the cost of not using the devices on our coach that were installed to keep everything working as they should. There is no silver bullet. Everything is a trade off.

[Archived]

So I’m plugged into 50 amp service for 6 months in Florida. Should I be running my generator regularly?

[Dan]

Jimmy, Short answer, no unless you are planning to load it heavy and bring it up to full operating temp.

Some generators have dedicated start batteries and the only way they get charged is by running the generator. That might be a reason to start the generator so the battery does get an occasional charge.

But other than that I don’t think routine starting of the generator is important, bus as stated, if you do load it up heavily and make sure it has been brought completely up to temperature.

[Archived]

I’m not near my bus so I thought I’d toss this out there. How common is it to have A/C power in the Steer compartment like I know I have a DC post. Something I can tap into to power a replacement aux air compressor.

Thanks,

Doug

[Steven]

Sorry guys, I was trying to start a new thread!

[AL]

Hi Tom,

I am ready for 2 Lifeline batteries. How do I buy them from you at the discounted price?

Thanks Tom and everyone on the site. I am a newer Prevost owner and appreciate the knowledge that is shared.

Steve

[Archived]

Jimmy, Our Marathons have a separate generator starting battery and roof solar panel to keep it charged.

Battery should be AGM type. Service rotation (suggested) should be same as other AGM house batteries.

Truk4u offers these in Lifeline AGM, you need the model # as installed in your bus.

AL

[Archived]

Steve,

Call, e-mail or text.

tom@trans-specialists.net

770-634-7530