Disconnect chassis battery when on shore power?

artgpo · 02-05-2013, 01:14 PM

I just got an Android RV checklist app. It is one of the better apps out there. One thing I question is do you disconnect the chassis battery when connected to shore power? No where have I seen this before and being new to motorhomes I am wondering.

docj · 02-05-2013, 01:17 PM

I have no idea why you would do that. Furthermore, many MH's have devices like the Xantrex EchoCharger to keep the chassis batteries topped off when plugged in, so disconnecting them is rather unnecessary.

Go Dawgs · 02-05-2013, 01:24 PM

I only disconnect my chassis battery when I store it for longer than 4 weeks. Otherwise its connected.

RickO · 02-05-2013, 01:28 PM

Nope. My rig has a trickle charger which keeps the chassis batteries topped off when plugged in... but even if it didn't I wouldn't be disconnecting them.

Rick

emoney · 02-05-2013, 01:42 PM

You know your rig better than anybody, but most have a "power center" that will charge the batteries while on 110v service. No need to disconnect, even if your chassis battery, for some reason, wasn't in that loop as it wouldn't then be affected.

wa8yxm · 02-05-2013, 01:51 PM

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.

Hikerdogs · 02-05-2013, 04:15 PM

According to the electrical section of owners manual the chassis battery should be left connected anytime the coach is in use.

"Always leave this switch connected while using the coach". Some electronic displays and memory functions may need to be reset after power has been reconnected."

Here's a link to the 2013 Sunstar owners manual: http://www.winnebagoind.com/resource.../13Sunstar.pdf

artgpo · 02-06-2013, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikerdogs

According to the electrical section of owners manual the chassis battery should be left connected anytime the coach is in use.

"Always leave this switch connected while using the coach". Some electronic displays and memory functions may need to be reset after power has been reconnected."

Here's a link to the 2013 Sunstar owners manual: http://www.winnebagoind.com/resource.../13Sunstar.pdf

Thanks for that. Had I looked there first I could have saved you all some time. Thanks everyone for the usual speedy responses.

SCVJeff · 02-07-2013, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artgpo

Thanks for that. Had I looked there first I could have saved you all some time. Thanks everyone for the usual speedy responses.

You might send the developer a note pointing out that anyone doing this is looking for trouble by disconnecting the battery when parked and on inverter, because most coaches use the battery to smooth out AC ripple and buffer spikes in the house 12V system.

caissiel · 02-07-2013, 09:55 PM

Batteries use to last up to 6 years in my RVs. But since we have been full-time I never got 3 years out of my batteries. So I disconnected the the last 2 years and they also went dead. My experience.

RickO · 02-08-2013, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCVJeff

You might send the developer a note pointing out that anyone doing this is looking for trouble by disconnecting the battery when parked and on inverter, because most coaches use the battery to smooth out AC ripple and buffer spikes in the house 12V system.

They use the chassis battery for this?

Rick

SCVJeff · 02-08-2013, 09:48 AM

That's what I get for reading on an iPhone :(

In that case its just dumb....

Horizonchase · 02-10-2013, 12:35 PM

Quote:

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 · 02-10-2013, 01:42 PM

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

Yorker · 02-11-2013, 06:23 AM

I looked at your manual and the instruction about leaving the battery connected is for the house battery.

In another place it tells you to use the disconnect switch for the chassis if you are not using the rig for two weeks. I think that is confusing.

In my experience with my 2010 Suncruiser, if I don't disconnect the chassis batter for two weeks without driving the chassis battery will be dead.

I disconnect the chassis batter whenever I don't drive for two or three days.

mike garry · 02-14-2013, 05:59 PM

Quote:

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 · 02-14-2013, 06:40 PM

Quote:

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.

mike garry · 02-14-2013, 06:49 PM

Thanks for the response. Safe travels

tdarlene · 02-16-2013, 06:41 PM

In the battery realm, if it says maintenance free, does that mean you don't have to check for water? Don't laugh!

BFlinn181 · 02-16-2013, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdarlene

In the battery realm, if it says maintenance free, does that mean you don't have to check for water? Don't laugh!

Not laughing, especially if you neglect a 'maintenance free' battery and have to replace it. They still need to be checked for proper electrolyte at least once a year or more frequently if they are being over charged. Not sure why they are called that, except perhaps gluing or making the caps difficult to remove allows them to sell more batteries.