| Three Batteries and How to Charge Them [message #360877] |
Wed, 16 December 2020 16:23  |
Melbo
Messages: 144
Registered: August 2018
Location: Albuquerque NM
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We have come to the time with this project that we need to update the battery storage and charging systems. It is a 73 with one battery in the back to start the onan. Two batteries in the front. One to start the 455 and one to power the house systems. The original (I'm Guessing on This) isolator is in place and I get a click when I flip the power boost switch so without a lot of research I am thinking that is normal.
It appears that the two batteries in the front will be charged while driving from the engine alternator. The battery at the Onan is charged by the onan when it is running. Having read about how the Onan will fry the start battery in time I have disabled that feature and when I run the Onan now I connect a battery charger (after all when the Onan is running I have 120 power) as a temporary fix to keep things going. I have removed the buzz box and selected a converter to replace it that has a smart charge feature. When parked the converter should keep the house battery charged and provide the 12 volt system with power.
NOW FOR THE QUESTIONS
If I use the converter to keep the house system battery charged can I also use it to charge the Onan start battery while the Onan is running. I am thinking that I would have it engaged by a relay that is on the fuel pump circuit. When the Onan is on and running there is 12 volts at the fuel pump and have that activate a relay that connects the positive battery post of the onan start battery to the converter charging system using a 10 awg should provide ample charging to maintain it. My question with this is will it interfere with the charging and maintaining of the house 12 volt battery?
Next Question
For those of you who have inverters What size do you use and what all do you run from them. I am thinking that the only thing I would want an inverter to run is the refrigerator and the refrigerator that we will be using draws less than 2 amps. My thinking is that everything else can be left shut down for several hours and have no issues AND maybe this is not necessary to do but keeping the refrigerator running while at a ball game or rodeo and not have the generator running would be preferable. I don't mind running the generator 24/7 when we are around the coach but I prefer it to be shut down when we are not there.
I know everyone uses their coach differently but it is MUCH easier to change things when they are just words on a piece of paper instead of bolted in place. I am getting close to putting things in place and different ideas and opinions are always helpful.
TIA
Melbo
Albuquerque NM Bus Conversion 1978 MCI 1973 GMC
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