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Topic ClosedIs a on/off switch necessary for batteries?
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Is a on/off switch necessary for batteries?
    Posted: 18 Sep 2016 at 5:52pm
You can connect the maintainer to both batteries at the same time, just connect them on the + of one and the - of the other (for two 12 volt batts).  We had a long discussion here about maintainer vs. the converter, and where I used to promote the use of a maintainer to save some power over the long-haul, there is little saved and a lot more hassle.  Just use the converter which has 3-stage charging and won't overcharge.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 471 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Sep 2016 at 8:07pm

Jim, 
Thanks for the info!
 My Rpod is sitting out in the back 40 on a ranch of a friend of mine. I have an extension cord plugged in to a 110 20 amp circuit , but it's a hundred feet away on a 12 gauge cord. I have heard of multiple owners having problems with their converters and felt it might be better to just charge/maintain  the batteries while it sits there rather than use an expensive to replace converter if it goes bad due to full time use.
 Charging them one at a time means i would have to disconnect one or the other because they are still connected together and the current would still go to both?   so this seemed like the same thing to me. 
I was out there today tested /Toned and followed the wires and they do go straight to the batteries, 2-12 volt batteries). I plugged in the charger/maintainer to the Zamp port and it's charging. my charging unit has the same plug. 
My first mod was to move the spare tire mount to the front triangle, I welded the tire mount between the batteries, to both battery cross braces so the tire sits upright between the batteries and the propane tank, had to move the propane tank forward a four inches to have it all fit. It's a little tight to get to the batteries behind the tire Without taking tire off, and was looking for a simple solution.
thanks again!
rgds John
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2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
 
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Posts: 100 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Sep 2016 at 1:11pm
John, I do leave my pod plugged in all the time via a 30 amp circuit I wired into my garage.  No damage to any system after multiple months of doing so, and the battery was ready to go with no issues.  It also means the inside has AC for when i need to spend time inside (such as making mods).

If you plug your battery maintainer into the zamp port you are:
-- bypassing the built-in inverter, which has smart charging as part of its design.  Your battery maintainer will hopefully also have smart charging.  Any internal consumers of energy will still get their power from the battery, despite not being connected to shore power.  
-- still connecting the pod to shore power, since the battery maintainer has to get its energy from somewhere!  you're just reducing the current level and limiting what can be done inside.  I understand it might be easier to use an extension cord to a lower amperage outlet.

So far as i have been able to determine, the zamp wiring goes straight to the battery.

Charging two batteries depends on how they're connected:  if 6 volt in series or 12 volt in parallel, then you'd be addressing both batteries with the maintainer.  However, not all maintainers understand they are connected to multiple batteries, and cell-to-cell differences might result.  You might be better off disconnecting multiple batteries from the pod and using individual maintainers, or charging one, then the other.

I'm also not sure why you'd use the zamp circuit with the battery maintainer.  Why not just connect directly to the battery(ies)?  For motorcycles, I've left a Battery Tender connection permanently attached to the battery, led to a position that's easy to connect.

Could you expand a bit more on your concern and what you want to accomplish?
Best regards, Jim
2015-RP178
TV 2015 Audi Q7 TDI and 2017 Ford F150
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voisj View Drop Down
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Posts: 471 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Sep 2016 at 12:29pm
Quick question,
 Do you know if i can just plug my battery maintainer into the zamp solar port?  I have two batteries would this keep both charged? I don't like the idea storing the unit with shore power continuously plugged  in for weeks (or months) at a time, as that would mean i'm always using the  the onboard converter. do the wires just go straight to the batteries? If i hook up straight to the one battery does it charge both? I have a battery disconnect I just haven't had any time to hook it up yet.
thanks John
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Posts: 100 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Sep 2016 at 3:43am
Originally posted by techntrek

You definitely need some way to disconnect the batteries between trips (unless you leave it plugged in) so a switch, or a fuse, makes that easier. I added a 30 amp all-weather blade fuse to my pod since I've seen corrosion issues posted about some switches.

If you are using dual batteries always use them (and charge them) together. You end up getting more total amps out of them than if you use one and then the other (look up Peukert effect if you want gory details).

Thanks for the head's up. Very interesting reading in the Wikipedia article on Peukert's law. Another good reason to always discharge the pair of batteries together is they will both be at the same state of charge when you begin recharging. I supposed you could charge each one separately. But that would be a bit of a hassle. But it might not hurt to occasionally charge them separately, especially if performing an equalizing charge for flooded batteries.
Russ
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Sep 2016 at 12:16pm
You definitely need some way to disconnect the batteries between trips (unless you leave it plugged in) so a switch, or a fuse, makes that easier. I added a 30 amp all-weather blade fuse to my pod since I've seen corrosion issues posted about some switches.

If you are using dual batteries always use them (and charge them) together. You end up getting more total amps out of them than if you use one and then the other (look up Peukert effect if you want gory details).
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 27 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 10:28pm
My cut off switch is in the corner of the storage cupboard to left of the entry door above the space for the distribution panel, if that helps!
Rhona & John
POD: 2015 179 'OzPod'
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Posts: 6429 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 8:35pm
With my battery security (see my mods), taking the covers off is not an easy task. A switch is much more convenient. I take the covers off to check the electrolyte, but it is not too often that I have to do it.
StephenH
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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3346 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 5:37pm
While most probably do go with a switch, I do it manually by changing the cables.  It takes me a whopping 2 minutes to take off both covers and change cables.  Not as "convenient" but it works for me.  Add the fact that we go 3 - 4 days before switching batteries when dry camping under cold conditions I get about a week out of both group 24's, that were purchased in spring 2011, and my total time invested changing the battery if I dry camp for 1 week is 2 minutes. 
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 8:11am
Way more convenient to have a switch. I mounted mine on the battery box lid. I like the Hella brand keyed switch. Pictures in my mods link.
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