Chassis Battery Charging 2004 Minnie 29B

keithd311 · 10-21-2023, 03:34 PM

I have a 2004 Minnie 29B and am considering hardwiring a trickle charger that will charge the chassis (engine starter battery) when I am connected to shore power (120 VAC).
I would like to connect the 12 VDC side of the trickle charger to the chassis battery side of the Aux Start Solenoid. This would only be enabled when the coach is connected to shore power. I have attached an image of the solenoid I am referencing for clarity. I would connect the trickle charger to the connection indicated in green on the image.
Does anyone see a reason that this will not work or might cause any issues?

**Eagle5** · 10-27-2023, 11:58 PM

Hi Keith,
It looks fine to me as long as you provide an in-line fuse located as closely as possible to the relay connection.
Thanks, Eagle5

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Morich · 10-28-2023, 08:07 AM

But it might also be worthwhile to look at alternates?
Do you feel there is a need to keep the charging from the converter only on the coach batteries and not connect to the chassis when you want it to use the existing equipment?
Would it work for your use to add a simple strap between the positive side of each through a toggle, etc. to be flipped on as part of camp setup or off if not wanted?

Advantage is less equipment like second charger but with down side of being manual connect/disconnect?

keithd311 · 10-28-2023, 08:31 AM

Thanks Eagle5.

keithd311 · 10-28-2023, 08:35 AM

Thanks Morich. I have a trickle charger already that I plug into the cigarette lighter socket and run an extension inside. I am wanting to tidy this up and make it a bit more automatic. Great alternative idea!

dickb46 · 11-01-2023, 06:02 PM

I use a TRIK-L-START. It is small enough to fit in your pocket, has 3 wires with alligator clips to hook up your house battery(ies) to your chassis battery. It will transfer up to 10 amps dc to the chassis battery.It takes about 10 seconds to hookup.
dick

dickb46 · 11-01-2023, 06:03 PM

and I leave it hooked up forever if I'm in one spot forever

Morich · 11-01-2023, 06:22 PM

But then times are changing all the time?

Reason I no longer mention this product.
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It may come back but by that time it may be bypassed for better?

dickb46 · 11-01-2023, 10:22 PM

I bought mine in April 2023, I just googled it and found one

dickb46 · 11-01-2023, 10:34 PM

but now google comes up with LST trickle chargers....

Bobn1957 · 11-02-2023, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithd311

I have a 2004 Minnie 29B and am considering hardwiring a trickle charger that will charge the chassis (engine starter battery) when I am connected to shore power (120 VAC).
I would like to connect the 12 VDC side of the trickle charger to the chassis battery side of the Aux Start Solenoid. This would only be enabled when the coach is connected to shore power. I have attached an image of the solenoid I am referencing for clarity. I would connect the trickle charger to the connection indicated in green on the image.
Does anyone see a reason that this will not work or might cause any issues?

I installed a voltage sensing relay from my coach batteries to the chassis battery with a 30 amp fuse for protection. Now the chassis battery is charged whenever I'm plugged in!