Charging start batteries in the winter? How do you ??

scanzel · October 08, 2013, 11:24:29 AM

How is everyone keeping your start batteries charged during the winter months when the coach is not being used. I know that when I sometimes need to move my bus they are very week and a no go. I would like to put in changer and was looking at the Samlex 24v charger that would be connected all the time. Thoughts ?

Tikvah · October 08, 2013, 11:59:51 AM

I don't remember where I got it, but I have a small simple "Smart Charger". 1amp, 2amp, or 4amp.

I just leave it on 24/7

Probably paid about a hundred bucks, maybe through Northern Tool

Iceni John · October 08, 2013, 12:12:29 PM

Each week I put my Schumacher 10A charger on to the 8D battery that feeds my DDEC's constant supply - the 8mA draw is enough to slowly drain it down, plus I think the battery got slightly sulfated before I realized it needed to be kept charged every now and then. The other 8D holds its charge just fine, so I put it on the charger every month or so.

I'll eventually get a small 12V PV panel or two and a small PWM charge controller, then have them permanently connected to the starting batteries. I just need to find a charge controller that has adjustable charging parameters - that's easy to find in larger MPPT controllers like the two Morningstars for my house system, but less common in inexpensive PWM controllers.

John

Lin · October 08, 2013, 12:14:16 PM

I think that I find an awful lot of contradictory recommendations on battery maintenance. There are some that say it is best to keep a maintenance charge on them at all times while not it use. This would seem to be a must for boats since the batteries will definitely die over the months of disuse. In my situation, having the bus just outside, it seems that I prefer charging them periodically and then turning the charger off. While I can not see how this could harm the batteries, I can see how letting them completely discharge or being overcharged by a well meaning charger could. I did once loose a whole bank of AGM batteries to a theoretically smart charger.

goutoe · October 08, 2013, 12:35:38 PM

I bought a 7 day timer I have it set to turn on my charger twice a week for three hours seems to work OK if it really gets cold I set it for more often.>>>> John.

Emcemv · October 08, 2013, 02:47:41 PM

I put the charger on them every few weeks in the winter and start the bus up whenever we get a few days of temps above 40 degrees. I let it run until it gets as warm as it can idling.

Bruce

Dave5Cs · October 08, 2013, 02:58:19 PM

I have a converter that charges both starts and gen battery. It flip the main battery switch in the coach and leave it on 1day each month and then turn it off. House bats have a 6 volt charger all the time until I hook up our new inverter.

Dave5Cs from Galaxy S III

Gerry H · October 08, 2013, 06:59:36 PM

Steve: Here in Minnesota, on my Prevost I use an Iota DLS27-25 which is a 24 Volt 25 amp smart charger with IQ-4 option. I bought this for my house system, but have used it on my start batteries last four winters with no problems. I also bought 2 - 12V 8 amp Battery Minders originally intended for my start batteries, but now on my house batteries. Both work great for me. Just be sure whatever you choose has enough amps to keep your batteries fully charged, and not overcharged. Some trickle types maybe too small in amperage to keep up with the DDEC system drain along with trying to charge your batteries. Good Luck Gerry H

Ed Hackenbruch · October 08, 2013, 07:02:06 PM

I don't do anything. Don't even turn off the master switch anymore. For the last 9 winters we have been in Yuma though, so not too much cold to worry about. We have sat for as long as 5-6 months without firing up the bus, however for the last 4 winters we have made the 75-80 mile run up to the GM rally at Quartzsite in January, so it only sits for 3 months at a time now.

Dave B · October 08, 2013, 07:24:25 PM

After loosing a set of batteries the first winter, even though the master switches were turned off, I bought two of the Harbor Freight $5 (on sale) float chargers. Provides enough to keep the batteries at full charge, but the batteries must be fully charged to begin with. I keep saying that I am going to upgrade to a good Battery Tender maintainer type but haven't so far. I also put these HF chargers on the lawn mower and pick up over the winter.

Oonrahnjay · October 09, 2013, 05:20:23 AM

I also lost a set of Type 31's a couple of years ago over the winter. Since then, I've picked up a couple of Stanley "Smart Chargers" (about $25 on Amazon). I don't trust them enough to plug them in and walk away for 3 months, so I plug them in about every 3-4 weeks over the winter. No DDEC, master off -- they typically go to "Float" in 8-15 minutes after about a month starting with a 6-amp charge. I figure that this is a pretty good indication that my batteries are in good shape. (I occasionally put a load-test type battery tester on them; batteries now are still showing excellent condition after about 3 years.)

robertglines1 · October 09, 2013, 06:08:49 AM

Just use same set up as in the bass boat for 4 group 31's. consist of 4 individual 10amp units that charge to full charge as needed. self controlling -been in use for 6yrs same wet cell batteries. ck levels in cells about every 3months. Available at bass pro shop. Leave hooked up all time year round in bass boat also. FWIW Bob

muldoonman · October 09, 2013, 06:20:29 AM

Bob, do you use 4 individual chargers on 4 batteries or hook 1 charger for all?

robertglines1 · October 09, 2013, 07:21:11 AM

The batt charger for the bass boats are on one unit ;4 Batt. With 8 leads 4 plus and 4 neg = pair going to each 12 volt batt individual controlled to maintain full charge to each unit as if it were one. Has gauges 4each giving you charge level of each battery. Have found using this that the batt do not discharge at the same rate depending where they are located in the stack. Will quickly tell you which batt is weak or bad. Check it out under batt under any bass boat supplier. Mine came from Bass pro shop. I keep mine on 24-7-365. except underway. It cancels Alternator sensor if left active then. What has worked for me prob not engineering correct I'm sure!!!! Bob

belfert · October 09, 2013, 09:09:00 AM

I use a Battery Tender Plus to keep my starting batteries charged. Mine is a 24 volt unit that is 2.5 amps. It is a three stage charger.

I have a parasitic draw of between 1 and 2 amps even with the battery disconnect turned off. The DDEC, WTEC, and hazard lights all bypass the battery disconnect along with who knows what else.