Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-01-2016, 08:49 PM   #1
Winnebago Owner
 
LeeB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 218
Installed Trik-L-Start Now A Couple Questions

My Coach is a 2004 Meridian 34H (New To Us) as far as I know the Invertor/Charger is stock Dimensions 2000watt.

I am very lucky and am able to park my MH here at home. I have read the manual and know that I should not leave the MH plugged in 100% of the time because it will boil/fry/ruin/kill the batteries.

My question is; What is the correct procedure I should be using? In order to maintain my batteries.....

I am retired and am at home 24/7 unless we are traveling?

Thanks LeeB
__________________
2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V Workhorse
I need a new avatar picture
LeeB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2016, 09:01 PM   #2
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 962
Lee ...

I leave my rig plugged in all the time ... when it is stored and when I am living in it.

I have Walmart house batteries and they last about 4 years between replacements ... check the fluid level in your batteries ... and keep the corrosion off the cables ... I equalize the batteries about twice a year

You can see the amperage you are drawing in the lower right column of your all in one place display

Glad you got your T-L-S installed ...
skigramp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2016, 09:09 PM   #3
Winnebago Master
 
Tom N's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA
Posts: 1,196
I'm plugged in all the time, unless on the road. Then the batteries are charged by the alternator.
__________________
Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA · FMCA 335149 · W3TLN
2005 Suncruiser 38R · W24, no chassis mods needed · 2013 Honda Accord EX-L · 2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Tom N is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2016, 09:09 PM   #4
Winnie-Wise
 
Tom-NC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Murphy, NC, USA
Posts: 296
Hi,

You can leave it plugged in 24/7 as I do all the time and I have a trickle charger on Chassis battery.

When I run the generator once a month I check the electrolyte level and ad distilled water if necessary and clean the cables if needed.

You should not have any problems.

__________________
2014 Winnebago Adventurer 35P,Ford F-53, V-10
2011 Ford Escape,2000 Roadmaster Tow Dolly
"Have a Great Day, Enjoy RVing."
Tom-NC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2016, 09:10 PM   #5
Winnebago Master
 
grtharris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Skiatook, OK
Posts: 1,460
LeeB, I also keep our coach plugged in 24/7. The inverter/charger in your coach will not over heat the batteries. We had a 03 Journey kept it plugged all the time never had a problem. Just check the water in the batteries every couple of months.
__________________
Grant & Pat
2014 Adventurer 35P
2021 Rapid Red 4dr Bronco OBX
grtharris is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2016, 09:12 PM   #6
Winnebago Owner
 
LeeB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 218
Quote:
Originally Posted by skigramp View Post
Lee ...

I leave my rig plugged in all the time ... when it is stored and when I am living in it.

I have Walmart house batteries and they last about 4 years between replacements ... check the fluid level in your batteries ... and keep the corrosion off the cables ... I equalize the batteries about twice a year

You can see the amperage you are drawing in the lower right column of your all in one place display

Glad you got your T-L-S installed ...
Thanks....... But whats Equalize? and not sure what your saying about lower right hand column... All I have in my One Place is a toggle that lets me see house or chassis voltage
__________________
2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V Workhorse
I need a new avatar picture
LeeB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2016, 09:15 PM   #7
Winnebago Owner
 
LeeB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 218
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom N View Post
I'm plugged in all the time, unless on the road. Then the batteries are charged by the alternator.
Thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom-NC View Post
Hi,

You can leave it plugged in 24/7 as I do all the time and I have a trickle charger on Chassis battery.

When I run the generator once a month I check the electrolyte level and ad distilled water if necessary and clean the cables if needed.

You should not have any problems.

Thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by grtharris View Post
LeeB, I also keep our coach plugged in 24/7. The inverter/charger in your coach will not over heat the batteries. We had a 03 Journey kept it plugged all the time never had a problem. Just check the water in the batteries every couple of months.
Thanks
__________________
2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V Workhorse
I need a new avatar picture
LeeB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2016, 09:42 PM   #8
KIX
Winnebago Master
 
KIX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Posts: 587
Our's stays plugged in 24/7 too unless traveling. You may also want to investigate adding mineral oil to your wet cell batteries. It will eliminate corrosion. I have 10 six V wet cells and have had mineral oil in them for about 6 -7 years now.
__________________
KIX
'02 Ultimate Advantage 40J Spartan MM - Cummins ISC
KIX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2016, 10:12 PM   #9
Winnebago Owner
 
bluepill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 139
My 2008 37H also has the Dimensions 2KW unit. If yours is the same as mine, it is a 4 stage charger that includes automatic equalization. If you don't have the manual for yours, you can find one on-line. I had mine plugged in for about 6 months in storage, and it boiled out batteries that were only a year old. Based on that, I no longer leave the batteries connected full time. Before storage, I fully charge both banks of batteries with the Dimensions unit, then disconnect the MH from shore power. I then disconnect the ground connection for both house and chassis banks and install a small maintainer on each bank. So far, so good.
__________________
2008 Itasca Meridian 37H & 2015 Flagstaff T12RBST
2011 & 2012 Len & Pat's "One lap of America"
27K miles & 41 states in 13 months - Woo Woo
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Yellowstone Lake 6-1-2012
bluepill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2016, 04:05 AM   #10
aa1ssradio
 
Ranger Smith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Where the Rig is Parked
Posts: 286
Mine is plugged in all the time also. I leave refrigerator on also. Never had an issue with batteries frying due to being plugged in.
__________________
Steve and Joy
2014 Itasca Suncruiser
Where we are now
Ranger Smith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2016, 07:36 AM   #11
Winnebago Owner
 
LeeB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 218
Thank you all for the response's. I will leave her plugged in and keep a eye on the battery levels.......

Sure love having my MH stored at home......
__________________
2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V Workhorse
I need a new avatar picture
LeeB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2016, 09:58 AM   #12
Winnebago Owner
 
Bumps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: FTer Class of 2015 Origin: Evergreen, Colorado
Posts: 117
Don't forget to keep the trickle-charger on the chassis batteries (like Tom-NC in post #4 says). If your WBGO is wired like mine, the Dimensions unit will only charge the coach batteries.

\ken

PS. Before we went FT, we kept ours plugged-in all of the time, too. But our Dimensions unit is only a three-stage charger (does not equalize). For us, keeping it plugged in was never a problem.
__________________
Ken & Deb (WIT Club, FMCA, SKP, Harvest Hosts, and grateful volunteers with SOWERs)
2005 Winnebago Vectra 40FD w/400ISL and Allison 3000MH on Freightliner's Evolution chassis, Onan QD7500, 1000w Renogy solar, BlueOx tow gear, and 2015 Cherokee TrailHawk toad.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Bumps is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2016, 10:02 AM   #13
Winnebago Master
 
Petro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Weyauwega, WI US
Posts: 1,486
Lee;

My coach stays plugged in 24/7 and I have no battery problems. If you have a multi stage charger you should not have problems either.

Don
__________________
Don & Bev Morgan Weyauwega WI, 05 Itasca Horizon 40KD, 400 HP Cummins, Delorme GPS LT 40, Toad 07 Saturn Vue AWD, Air Force One, TST 510 TPMS, Mayor of Weyauwega 2007 - 2013, Waupaca Co Board Supervisor 2010 - 2014
Petro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2016, 12:20 PM   #14
Winnebago Master
 
FIRE UP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 1,740
Lee B,
Your 34H is a great coach. The Dimensions 2000 watt Inverter/Charger that came with it, is a good unit. It's got a bad rap due to some issues they've had with some of them (the company that is). But, as has been stated, it's basically a three stage battery maintainer/charger, on the charging side.

In that, as you more than likely know, it will enter a "Bulk" charge when your house batteries have been drawn down to a level that, that charger sees a need to apply the bulk rate. Once the Bulk rate has brought up the battery state of charge to satisfy requirements, it enters the ABSORBTION rate of charge. That's the intermediate charge rate. It will stay at that charge rate 'till it's satisfied of the batteries state of charge, is ready for the last charge rate.

And that is the FLOAT rate. At that rate, your batteries are receiving anything from 1 amp to around 3 or so. Now, the Dimensions unit will hold that float rate for as long as it determines it needs to. And, don't forget, there's always some form of parasitic draw on both sets of batteries, the house and chassis. So, in the float rate, it's not only maintaining the house batteries but, competing with the parasitic draw too.

Now, yes, that Dimensions unit also has an "Equalizing" charge too. The main difference between the Dimensions unit and other Inverter/Charger on the market is, the Dimension unit AUTOMATICALLY enters the Equalize state, every 5th cycle. What that means is, every 5th time you plug in and, the charger goes through it's three cycles of charging, it will self enter the Equalizing stage.

When it does that, it will kick up the voltage to around 15 volts or so. It's doing that so the internal maintenance (de-sulfation etc.) can be accomplished. Now, when that Dimensions unit is in the Equalizing stage, you already know that your batteries (house ones) are going to raise in temperature too. That means you're going to smell them and, upon checking them, you'll see and hear HEAT in the form of hot fumes emitting from them.

That Dimensions unit will run the Equalizing stage for a given amount of time. Then is auto shuts down to go back to the float rate. The problem with the Dimensions unit is, YOU have no control of when that unit goes into the Equalization mode. Whereas , the Magnum unit I have that replaced my Dimensions unit, has a manual selection for Equalization mode. Not the end of the world, just a different feature.

Now, if you've installed the Trik-L-Start, then you should be covered in keeping both sets of batteries charged. But, as with all things man made, and since you're retired 24/7 and live at home with your coach, as I do, you'd be good to make at least a weekly appearance at your battery compartment for inspection to make sure all is well and, you're not having any issues.

On a final note. If that Dimensions unit should go bad, as they sometimes do, you've got choices. One, the company will rebuild it, for around $550.00 or so and update it with better algorithms so it "THINKS" better. Or, you can do what I did and, get lucky and find a nice Magnum on Craigs list. We paid $500 for a 6 month old Magnum 2012MS (model number, not year) and, it's been working flawless for about 2 years now. Just some info for you.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '08 GL 1800 Gold Wing
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Sophie character, (mini Schnauzer)
FIRE UP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2016, 03:53 PM   #15
Winnebago Camper
 
CigarBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Murrells Inlet, SC
Posts: 23
Lee... Scott is spot on. I've got a similar rig, so most of this holds true for me too. After reading most of they thread, I too had questions on what stages my Dimension Inverter had, and that i had to research "equalizing" but as usual, Scott has a very clear and informative post and answered my concerns.. thanks Scott.
Lee, Pretty much what everyone has said.. your likely all good with your setup and TrickLStart.
Craigslist for a Magnum.. hmm.. didn't think of that. great tip! I know i've got to upgrade it when i add Solar.
-mike
__________________
Mike & Jo
2005 Itasca Horizon 40KD w/ISL 400
2006 Jeep Rubicon / 1300w Solar + 600ah LifeBlue Lithium
CigarBoy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2016, 05:58 PM   #16
Winnebago Owner
 
LeeB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 218
Well I now have a good idea of what I am going to do... Keep it plugged in and watch as things progress..... Right now 26 hours after the House Batteries read 13.4 and the Chassis batteries read 13.1.......

After digging through my Manual case (which looks like it was a Tornado hit it) I found a business card attached to the WIN-12X20B3R1T Manual and the card is that of Doug Blanchard (Engineer) so I am wondering if the Unit has not already been re-built by the former owner?.....

I wish I would have got some records, but I got zip, nada, nothing... So I am going into this blind so to speak......
__________________
2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V Workhorse
I need a new avatar picture
LeeB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2016, 06:36 PM   #17
Winnie-Wise
 
Stevegd007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: San Diego County, CA
Posts: 303
Plugged in 24/7. Using a newer 4 stage converter\charger. House batteries are 2 Lifeline AMG. An Expensive battery. Maintenance free. 2 1/2 years in service an I have never had to do any cleaning, or service, battery compartment has stayed spotless. No leaking or fuzzy white stuff or checking fluids... Worth the cost, for me anyway.
__________________
Steve & Leslie
Winnebago 2007 Adventurer 38T
Honda 2010 CR-V "Toad"
Stevegd007 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2016, 08:57 PM   #18
Winnebago Master
 
FIRE UP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 1,740
Quote:
Originally Posted by CigarBoy View Post
Lee... Scott is spot on. I've got a similar rig, so most of this holds true for me too. After reading most of they thread, I too had questions on what stages my Dimension Inverter had, and that i had to research "equalizing" but as usual, Scott has a very clear and informative post and answered my concerns.. thanks Scott.
Lee, Pretty much what everyone has said.. your likely all good with your setup and TrickLStart.
Craigslist for a Magnum.. hmm.. didn't think of that. great tip! I know i've got to upgrade it when i add Solar.
-mike
Hey Mike,
Thanks for the kind words. Always glad to be of assistance, when I can. As for picking up the Magnum on C/L, it basically was a sheer stroke of luck.
After doing a bunch of analyzing to find out what was wrong with my Dimensions unit, (it flat out stopped charging the house batteries but, all else was good). I made a call to Dimensions and, that's when I was explained that it could be rebuilt with better logic than it came with, for a mere $550.00, plus shipping, both ways.

Well, the dear wife, bless her heart, was cruising around on Craigs list and it was amazing that at that precise time, the Magnum appeared. As stated, it was/is an 2012ME which, is the Modified Sign Wave unit. I was thinking of a full sign wave but, the cost was just a bit prohibitive. And this one popped up for $700.

Well, I made the call to the owner and asked why he what the story was on it. He said it was only six months old but, with his wifes medical condition, he had to get a full sign wave. So, we haggled a bit and, I picked it up for $500. Just pure luck.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '08 GL 1800 Gold Wing
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Sophie character, (mini Schnauzer)
FIRE UP is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
install, led


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Installed my new Trik-L-Start!! Milom General Maintenance and Repair 6 11-12-2014 08:01 PM
Where is Trik-L-Start installed on Vectra? drczap Winnebago Class A Motorhomes 10 11-08-2014 08:23 PM
Trik-L-Start questions Deucenut General Maintenance and Repair 39 04-03-2013 07:55 PM
A couple of Questions on our new Horizon BigTrace General Maintenance and Repair 27 06-05-2006 09:03 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:56 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.