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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
 
| I don't have a good way to keep my trailer plugged in at home, I need to move it to charge the batteries. The trailer is new to us and we made it for a good part of the summer on one charge but after the last show the kids left a light on and the batteries are dead. As I said I need to move it to a spot in which it is in the way of daily activity so I want to know about how long a battery charge should take. It has an aftermarket trickle charger added. Should it take hours, a day, days? Mike |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | for a deep cycle battery it could take a few days with a trickle charger. |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
 
Location: western PA | A trickle charger is just that, a small capacity charger that provides a minimal charge over a long time period. It is used more to maintain a battery, than completely recharge a discharged one. Regular battery chargers come in many ratings, with the more powerful ones taking less time to recharge. A charger provides its amp ratings over a given time period. The capacity of the battery will also determine the time necessary for a full charge. A smaller 6 amp charger will take several hours for a complete service. Using a commercial starting/charger can damage some batteries, by supplying too rapid a charging rate. This will over heat the plates, causing them to warp and ruin the battery. If your trailer has a commercially built LQ, the power center has a converter/charger that will charge your batteries. A dead battery can be pretty well restored in half a day or so, using the trailer's charging system. You will need to turn the battery master switch to "on" to charge the batteries with the shore cord plugged in.
Edited by gard 2010-09-09 9:16 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
| Originally written by gard on 2010-09-09 9:14 AM You will need to turn the battery master switch to "on" to charge the batteries with the shore cord plugged in. Not sure I have seen this switch...where would I find it? |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | Originally written by blackcows on 2010-09-09 10:32 AM Originally written by gard on 2010-09-09 9:14 AM You will need to turn the battery master switch to "on" to charge the batteries with the shore cord plugged in. Not sure I have seen this switch...where would I find it? That depends on the manufacturer of your interior or the trailer builder and the year it was built. They all vary. I would first look at the owner's manual for your particular interior to find out. The switches can be installed inside a cabinet, near the power center, near the batteries, almost any place where the wires are easily routed. A call to your trailer or LQ manufacturer may reveal an answer. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
| Thanks Gard, it's an 01 Exiss. I will look around and see what I can find. Mike |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | If it has a Sierra interior, look inside the shirt closet beside the galley. Some Sierra weekenders don't have a battery switch, the batteries are on all the time. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
| It's not a Sierra it's the previous company that did the LQs for Exiss, can't remeber the name right now. I know where the electrical stuff is...I will take a look in there to see what I can see. Mike |
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New User
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Location: MN | I have an 2001 Exiss, my "on" switch is in the battery box. But if you were using it, it's probably already turned to that position. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
| Mine must always be on, I don't find a switch. Mike |
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.jpg) Expert
Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico | Neither my horse trailer or camper have a battery cut off switch so you may not have one. |
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Veteran
Posts: 114
Location: Home of the WNFR at Christmas | With totally dead batteries ( anything below 10v in a 12v system) you should really look into a true 3 stage charger with bulk absorb and float stages. you should also open top caps if they are flooded lead acid batteries top off with distilled water and charge in an open area as batteries this low, if they charge at all, will put off quite a bit of poisonous and explosive gas.
Once you get your batteries back to as near 100% as you can 12.7v is considered full after a 3 hour rest period with no load or charging you are going to want to do an equalize charge per the battery manufacturer specs.
There will be no real time table just watch your water levels and voltages. If you get really into this google "specific gravity 12v" and you can learn quite a bit more.
Good Luck |
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How Long To Charge Batteries?
