Another Battery/Charger question.

Does everyone use the marine deep cycle batteries? Does anyone use one of the chargers with the built in "exerciser" feature? This will discharge and re-charger your battery and is supposed to keep it in better condition.

I use a leisure battery which is what they are classed as in the U.K. (lead acid) with a Progressive Dynamics PD9245C
which I purchased with the Remote Pendant which shows the charge current. I am really pleased with the results. I also managed to fit the charger where the old converter/charger was fitted.

Yes, I use 2 deep cycle group 27 (large) batteries and I installed two battery maintainers ($35 each) permanently in the trailer on a separate power cord to keep both batteries conditioned. I use the separate cord so that I don't expose my good RV cord to the elements twelve months of the year. This is enough to keep the batteries good and ward off all the parasitic draws.

Exactly what I'm looking for Kim, thanks. Sean, I tried your suggestion but had to take it all out. Seems my TV would only go on the left side of the road when it was installed.

BobnPi wrote:Exactly what I'm looking for Kim, thanks. Sean, I tried your suggestion but had to take it all out. Seems my TV would only go on the left side of the road when it was installed.

Now that's funny ......

Dang, I had to think about that for a minute , but I get it now.

Kim, how did you install the battery charger so you could use a seperate line for the charger only. Did you put in a receptical through the trailer? How do you run the power to the charger? Thanks ! Duke

Duke:

I used sheet metal screws and mounted the two maintainers just above the two batteries. Then I ran a short extension cord from them through the storage area through a small drilled hole into the small connection compartment (water, cable, etc) and hung the extension end there. From there I run a smaller gauge outdoor cable out which is plugged to the house. I used the smaller gauge outdoor cable because it's plenty sufficient for that small electrical draw and it saves exposing my nice 30 amp heavy-duty RV cord to the weather elements.

I used two maintainers for a couple reasons. Two are cheaper (2 x $35) than a two-bank maintainer and if one craps out I only need to replace one.

I would attach photos but I don't see how to attach them on this site.

I would attach photos but I don't see how to attach them on this site.

These are near fool proof instructions. Very well done and even I can follow them. Pictures of your mount and wiring please?

http://www.wildcatcamperforum.com/how-to-add-pictures-and-states-visited-maps-f11/pictorial-instructions-for-posting-photos-using-servimgcom-t2358.htm?highlight=pictures+photos

I hope this works...my what a convoluted way to attach photos!

finished appearance


hole drilled through utility cabinet wall into basement storage area


showing "permanent" brown indoor extension cord joining the orange outdoor extension cord...I leave them attached until we travel then detach them and leave the orange outdoor cable behind at home


one of the two maintainers


installation of the two maintainers...each one goes down opposite walls to the two batteries


I hope this shows what you wanted to know. If not, let me know and I will give further detail.

Kim

Hi Kim! Thanks for the photos, that helps alot and the install looks nice. I don't have the access panel you have but I like the idea. I'll look around and see if I can come up with something similar. Thanks again! Duke

Yeah, the pics help a lot. Could you post just one of the connection to the battery posts? Hate to ask for more, but I'm a visual kind of person and need all the help I can get.

The battery connection is very simple.
The battery maintainers come with 2 battery leads (positive/red and negative/black). Loosen the wing nuts on the battery posts and slip the appropriate lead (red-to-red and black-to-black) on the post. Tighten and you're done.

Here's how I ran power for my Battery Tender:

Thanks. That's what I wanted to see for sure.