Disconnect chassis battery when on shore power?

[wa8yxm]

There are a few different makes and models of motor homes. In some of the older ones (And I assume newer ones as well) the isolator is uni-directional (one way) when the engine is running the alternator or generator on the engine charges the house batteries, but when on shore power .. The reverse courtesy is not granted to the chassis.

On this type of motor home if you park for say 2 weeks, when you go to leave, you may find the chassis battery DEAD due to parasitic loads.

Thus, a disconnect is advised.

On many newer motor homes you have an Intelletec (or other) Bi-Directional isolator system (BIRD) and.. Well, in that case you do NOT disconnect so that your house converter can keep the chassis battery nicely filled with power.

[Horizonchase]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

There are a few different makes and models of motor homes. In some of the older ones (And I assume newer ones as well) the isolator is uni-directional (one way) when the engine is running the alternator or generator on the engine charges the house batteries, but when on shore power .. The reverse courtesy is not granted to the chassis.

On this type of motor home if you park for say 2 weeks, when you go to leave, you may find the chassis battery DEAD due to parasitic loads.

Thus, a disconnect is advised.

On many newer motor homes you have an Intelletec (or other) Bi-Directional isolator system (BIRD) and.. Well, in that case you do NOT disconnect so that your house converter can keep the chassis battery nicely filled with power.

I have a 2008 Itasca Navion which has the battery disconnect switch on the floor by the gas pedal. I try to take it out once a month to "excercise" it. I have recently began to disconnect the chassis battery due to parasitic load on it. Are you saying that I no longer need to? We live in the Northeast ( Ma.) and it is cold outside. I leave the shore power plugged in all the time. I have purchased a Trik-L-Start to be installed come Springtime. Then my plan is to leave it plugged into shore power all of the time during winter storage with the expectations of the Trik-L-Start doing its job and charge my chassis battery also. Does this seem reasonable to you?
Thanks.

[papaw.1]

I know alot of newer MH has battery disconnect switch by the door,mine included so I just check the water level and I am going to do the Mineral Oil thing in the spring.Good Luck and Many Safe and Happy Miles and Smiles

[mike garry]

Originally Posted by papaw.1

I know alot of newer MH has battery disconnect switch by the door,mine included so I just check the water level and I am going to do the Mineral Oil thing in the spring.Good Luck and Many Safe and Happy Miles and Smiles

Whats the Mineral oil Thing>

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by mike garry

Whats the Mineral oil Thing>

If you add mineral oil to the battery cells it stops evaporation and reduces out gassing and corrosion of the battery terminals and wires.

To check to see if your chassis batteries are charged when on shore power, use a multimeter to read the voltage of the chassis batteries when unplugged, then plug in shore cord and measure again. You should see more voltage when connected if you have a rig wired to charge both sets of batteries from shore power.