Trik-L-Start Battery charge

Logthumper · 01-04-2006, 06:16 AM

Thought the following might be of some interest. Installed the Trik-L-Start last week. Very impressed as to what's its doing. Observed the "Charging light" and Maintaining Light" and took several voltage reading over the last few days. Coach is not hooked to outside power source. Solar Panel is only Power Source. House Battery Power Switch is off. Peeked Engine Battery every day with sunlight. Looks like its doing what they say it will do. Engine battery now stays charged. Pic of installation below.

Time - Light/Dark Outside - House Batteries- Engine Battery-Maintaining Light

4:30pm sun 13.07 12.90 on
10:00am sun 12.89 12.88 off
10:45am sun 12.98 12.98 off
11:10am sun 13.08 12.88 on
3:00pm sun 13.24 12.99 on
6:00pm light 13.07 12.92 on
10:30pm dark 12.94 12.89 off
8:30am light 12.84 12.87 off
2:00pm overcast 13.02 12.85 on
11:00pm dark 12.84 12.84 off
8:00am light 12.82 12.83 off
12:00noon sun 13.18 12.89 on
5:00pm sun 13.23 12.98 on
6:30pm dark 12.74 12.93 off
10:00pm dark 12.74 12.89 off
8:30am light 12.74 12.84 off
10:00am sun 13.23 12.98 on

Logthumper · 01-04-2006, 06:16 AM

Thought the following might be of some interest. Installed the Trik-L-Start last week. Very impressed as to what's its doing. Observed the "Charging light" and Maintaining Light" and took several voltage reading over the last few days. Coach is not hooked to outside power source. Solar Panel is only Power Source. House Battery Power Switch is off. Peeked Engine Battery every day with sunlight. Looks like its doing what they say it will do. Engine battery now stays charged. Pic of installation below.

Time - Light/Dark Outside - House Batteries- Engine Battery-Maintaining Light

4:30pm sun 13.07 12.90 on
10:00am sun 12.89 12.88 off
10:45am sun 12.98 12.98 off
11:10am sun 13.08 12.88 on
3:00pm sun 13.24 12.99 on
6:00pm light 13.07 12.92 on
10:30pm dark 12.94 12.89 off
8:30am light 12.84 12.87 off
2:00pm overcast 13.02 12.85 on
11:00pm dark 12.84 12.84 off
8:00am light 12.82 12.83 off
12:00noon sun 13.18 12.89 on
5:00pm sun 13.23 12.98 on
6:30pm dark 12.74 12.93 off
10:00pm dark 12.74 12.89 off
8:30am light 12.74 12.84 off
10:00am sun 13.23 12.98 on

Thudman · 01-04-2006, 03:48 PM

Is your solar panel standard or custom?

Thudman

Logthumper · 01-04-2006, 05:09 PM

The manual that came with the Adventurer says its a 10 watt(standard unit that came with the Adventurer). It has always done a good job. I only added the Trik-L-Charge to keep the engine battery charged.

N8XV · 01-05-2006, 03:58 AM

I also use the Trik-L-Start and the solar in the warm months to keep the engine battery charged. But I found once the snow got deep over the solar panel charging was very limited. I use a timer in winter between the shore power and MH cord. The timer is set to come on only 2 hours each day. This is enough to keep all batteries charged, but not cause water loss in the batteries.

Tom N · 01-05-2006, 06:08 AM

I leave my gas coach plugged in and don't experience any water loss. I top off once or twice a year.

N8XV · 01-05-2006, 12:48 PM

Tom N
I'm sure not the brightest bulb on the porch, but if you are not experiencing any water loss, why do you have to top the batteries off once or twice a year?? With the timer I don't have to top mind off at all.

rebelsbeach · 01-06-2006, 03:07 AM

Guess I'll call Winnie service and see where they stuck my Trick-L Charge....

I've not been able to find it.

Tweke · 01-11-2006, 07:36 AM

rebelsbeach, when you find that Trik-L-Start, lemme know too! I just took delivery of my 06 Journey and have been curious about its location as well...