[Peter]

Karl.

I’m not sure there is any single best way. The Guest charger instructions allow you to charge the two 12 volt banks or connect as a 24 volt charger. Some have connected to the batteries, some have the charger connected to the terminals at the equalizer.

The key is probably based on where it is mounted and easiest access to the batteries or equalizer.

http://www.marinco.com/files/support/product/manuals/2611.pdf

[Archived]

Just curious why you didn’t buy a 24V charger, which is what I have. If you keep this one, given its low charge amperage I’d hook it to the equalizer terminals. If you don’t mount it very close to the equalizer I recommend you install circuit protection very near the attachment point to the equalizer or batteries.

[Jerry]

Thanks for your help,I never thought about 24 volt I might return and order 24 volt models there a model you recommend?

[Archived]

Karl,

You do not list your coach information such as converter and model year. That is very helpful in providing specific answers to questions.

Before deciding on a charger, it may be that you already have one. I have had one on all my Liberty coaches for example, but unless you knew it was there you would not recognize that fact because it was mounted to the ceiling over the chassis batteries out of sight.

Whatever you choose or if you have a charger already just be aware of the fact a lot of owners have cooked their chassis batteries because they left the charger on all the time. That is OK if they have a high quality 3 stage charger that has a charging protocol specific to their type of chassis batteries, but if not leaving a charger on 24/7 could be damaging.

Even though I have and have had chassis battery chargers on all coaches the number of times over 23 years that I used them can be counted on my fingers. Only when I am working on the coach and draining the batteries such as working on the lights have I needed to top off my chassis batteries. You chassis batteries should go for months before their voltage suggests a recharge is required.

[AL]

Karl,

My coach came with an IOTA 24-250 and it is not an intelligent charger. However, it can be supplemented with an IOTA IQ4 intelligent controller. Like Jon, I seldom use it so I can’t say one way or another whether it’s a good product. It has been on the coach since 98 and works when needed.

A previous owner added a 24V Battery Tender. I have used their 12V product for years on street rods and Harleys, but now can not recommend the Battery Tender. My 24V Battery Tender operates at 29V, which Battery Tender folks say is as designed. 29V is too high for float voltage. Needless to say, I don’t use it.

If you elect to install a charger I would caution against mounting it over the batteries. I spoke to one owner that lost his coach to charger failure that led to a battery explosion which fueled the fire. He said it’s not the only fire with this configuration and that the fire investigator attributed extent of the fire to the charger’s location over the batteries. I suspect the potential for the same would be remote but there’s no since in taking the chance if you don’t have to.

[Karl]

Karl,

The specs look very intersting on this unit http://www.batterystuff.com/battery-chargers/24-volt/0-4amps/BM24041.html

It is only capable of a maintenance charge. One nice is that it provides a desulphation pulse that many suggest will increase battery life. I see that there is also an aircraft approved version which suggest they company understands the rigid requirements of aircraft systems.

If I was looking for a maintenace charger I would more into this one.

[Archived]

Thanks very much

When the bus sits for a few days I will get a HI/Lo light on dash Once I had to jumpit off to start other times it starts and light always goes out could this be a VANNER problem?

There is no charger installed at present also when running dash reads 26/27 and is charging probably

[Archived]

I’am going to back up a little on this post.

What is the status of the existing batteries ? Not to throw gas on a fire but lot’s of posts here one thing that has been brought up many times is back to the basics.

Having good batteries, load testing individually and if in the gray area replace them all.

Just trying to help.

[Archived]

Thanks

I am going to check all batteries tomorrow.I spoke with prevost mechanic he thinks I have a bad or weak 12 volt battery.Since Hi/Lo comes on and then goes out after starting

Thanks for your help

Karl

[Archived]

Karl,

You are getting good advice except it is all discombobulated. First make sure your batteries are good as Al suggests. Nothing will screw with your bus and brain as much as one bad battery in a set.

If you batteries are good become a detective. Gil supported my contention that if things are OK you are rarely going to need chassis battery charging. If they do go down in a short period of time make sure you do not have phantom loads that the converter or previous owner imposed on the batteries. I encountered that once on my first coach and I went crazy until I found out the previous owner hooked something up that should have been on the house circuits.

If you get past the first two steps above then consider a charger, but you have to recognize if you do install one you are either going to have to manage it, or at the very least spend what it takes to get a very good three stage set up specifically for your type of batteries. The wrong charging protocol will cost you a set of batteries.

[Archived]

Karl,

To check your batteries make sure they are first fully charged and give them time to rest. During the time rest make sure there are no loads on the batteries. Disconnect the negative lead going to the equalizer FIRST. Then disconnect one lead from each battery so they are electrically isolated from all loads. You can then check the batteries through a load test (best option), measuring the specific gravity (if you can access the cells), or by measuring individual battery voltages (easiest and provides a good health measurement).

[Karl]

Thanks very much Will follow those directions

[Karl]

Had batteries checked they are Interstates from mid 2012

3 of 4 tested bad or weak !!!

[Archived]

Batteries don’t die in a year unless drawn down to near dead many times. Make sure you don’t have something drawing them down if you don’t install a charger.

[Karl]

Will do Bus was for sale and sat a while and that might be the problem we showed no draw today on them