FWC Battery care

[Bombsight]

Thanks Rando.

I'm looking closely at that NOCO Genius G3500 on Amazon.
Is that 3.5 amp the correct model for my Hawk and its two batteries?

 

[Happyjax]

If AGM batteries, good read here.

I do not keep my AGMs on a maintainer. On an as needed basis, I plug into shore power, monitor the battery state. I remove shore power once I have a full charge or when battery temp reaches 115F. I have a small, surface mounted thermometer on top of one of the batteries.

Yes that is a good read. Thanks!

 

[Vic Harder]

Thanks, guys. Can we make this simple and just post some Amazon links as to what I need?

Vic ... I got that controller photo off the internet. Its not actually mine. Mine is just like it though.

Let's go back to the original posting. You said you leave it plugged into shore power. That might be enough.... if you have the FWC stock IOTA with IQ4 installed.

http://www.iotaengineering.com/dls30.htm

http://www.iotaengineering.com/iq.htm

Is your camper so equipped?

As I pointed out in my ponderings about all things FWC/ATC electrical,

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/13230-i-need-more-power-scotty/?hl=%2Bmore+%2Bpower+%2Bscotty

the IQ4 is not ideal, but if you have one already, just keep plugging it in to shore power and fuggedaboutit.

 

[Bombsight]

Let's go back to the original posting. You said you leave it plugged into shore power. That might be enough.... if you have the FWC stock IOTA with IQ4 installed.

http://www.iotaengineering.com/dls30.htm

http://www.iotaengineering.com/iq.htm

Is your camper so equipped?

It is not supplied as far as I know ... unless it's tucked up out of sight somewhere in cabinetry ... I highly doubt it.

 

[ntsqd]

Whatever brand battery maintainer we have, either a 'Minder or a 'Tender, it uses the SAE connectors like FWC uses for solar to swap between clamps or dedicated ring terminals. I mounted ours permanently next to the battery box and hard wired it such that the TriMetric 'sees' its output. Even bought the battery temperature sensor for the unit. Have not installed it as I have used the battery charger maybe 2 times since installing the solar. That said, I'm including a dedicated 120 VAC outlet for it in the IP complete re-wire project as pulling it's cord out and stretching it diagonally across the kitchen area to the lone 120 VAC outlet in the camper was not earning me any Brownie Points.

 

[Vic Harder]

Thom, Let me know if you find a good affordable external AC power inlet.

Bombsight, In this pic you can see my NOCO 7200. The 3500 gives you 1/2 the current = 3.5 A. This is a very slow charge, fine for maintaining, but very slow if you are trying to take advantage of plugging in at a campground.

 

[Happyjax]

I use an old laptop battery charger plugged into my solar input when I don't feel like dragging my panels out to charge my portable setup. I also do not charge it all the time. If I am not using it I charge once a month, let it draw 3 or so amps (2 35 AH batts in parallel for 70 AH) for 4 or 5 hours or until it isn't really drawing anything.

I can't explain why I do it that way except I feel it works the batteries a bit more by letting them discharge a bit before charging them. There is not real draw but they naturally lose some Voltage....
They are usually at 12.6-12.8 when I charge them so no real stress on them. I just hate always keeping them topped off, I think it is good to let them "breathe" a little. Just my thoughts, YMMV

I cannot say if this prolongs anything as I only built this little system last year. Guess I'll know in a few years,,,lol

 

[Andy Douglass]

It is not supplied as far as I know ... unless it's tucked up out of sight somewhere in cabinetry ... I highly doubt it.

Bombsight,

From the FWC website under standard features for new models:


30 amp Power Converter w/ IQ4 Smart Charger

The picture for the feature shows the IOTA label on the converter.

 

[smlobx]

Here's a picture of the Noco terminals hard wired to the batteries...Sorry for the sideways pictures.

 

[Bombsight]

Bombsight,

From the FWC website under standard features for new models:

30 amp Power Converter w/ IQ4 Smart Charger

The picture for the feature shows the IOTA label on the converter.

You have me curious now, Andy. I'm going to go look for that as soon as I get a chance.

Thanks for the wiring pic, smlobx!

 

[ntsqd]

Thom, Let me know if you find a good affordable external AC power inlet.

I'm just adding another outlet to the camper's 120 VAC system to plug the charger into, but possibly this for your needs?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ANV81S/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2GYJVMJL03QSP&colid=1WJFO5EAJMISV

 

[Vic Harder]

that will work. I was looking at 30A inlets before, they are a lot pricier! Thanks for the idea

 

[ntsqd]

For 30A I'd probably do something like this:
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/marinco--30a-rv-detachable-power-conversion-kit--6885222?recordNum=56

 

[Vic Harder]

Yeah, me too. I was hoping for less expensive and higher quality...

 

[bike4mee]

Solar panel tends them in summer. In winter bring them inside so they dont freeze. It's easy and costs nothing

 

[Bombsight]

Solar panel tends them in summer. In winter bring them inside so they dont freeze. It's easy and costs nothing

My rig is garaged.

 

[GDinMT]

First winter with my camper and want to make sure the batteries stay healthy (2- 12V AMG). I live in the Mountain West where freezing temps exist throughout the winter. My camper will be off the truck and inside my garage, but the garage is not heated and temps get below freezing inside the garage (20's deg F typically). Thinking about two options:

1) Leave plugged into shore power inside garage with batteries being maintained from IOTA with IQ4.

2) Remove batteries from camper and bring into house so they do not experience freezing temps. Maintain with NOCO Genius G7200.

Thoughts?

P.S. - If Option 2, can I hook up batteries in parallel and maintain them both using one NOCO G7200? Or do I need to maintain them separately and swap the charger between the two ever week or so?

Thanks.

 

[GDinMT]

Bump. Anyone?

 

[billharr]

First winter with my camper and want to make sure the batteries stay healthy (2- 12V AMG). I live in the Mountain West where freezing temps exist throughout the winter. My camper will be off the truck and inside my garage, but the garage is not heated and temps get below freezing inside the garage (20's deg F typically). Thinking about two options:



P.S. - If Option 2, can I hook up batteries in series and maintain them both using one NOCO G7200? Or do I need to maintain them separately and swap the charger between the two ever week or so?

Thanks.

If they could freeze I would go with option 2. However, you need to wire in Parallel to charge both at the same time. Series would give you 24v. + to + and - to - just be sure to hook the changer to the + on one batter and the - on the other battery.

 

[GDinMT]

If they could freeze I would go with option 2. However, you need to wire in Parallel to charge both at the same time. Series would give you 24v. + to + and - to - just be sure to hook the changer to the + on one batter and the - on the other battery.

Parallel, yep. Brain fart. Thanks.