Posted 2010-09-09 8:54 AM (#124634) Subject: How Long To Charge Batteries?
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?
Posted 2010-09-09 9:14 AM (#124637 - in reply to #124634) Subject: RE: How Long To Charge Batteries?
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.
Posted 2010-09-09 9:41 AM (#124639 - in reply to #124638) Subject: RE: How Long To Charge Batteries?
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.
Posted 2010-09-09 10:14 AM (#124643 - in reply to #124634) Subject: RE: How Long To Charge Batteries?
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.
Posted 2010-09-09 10:24 AM (#124644 - in reply to #124634) Subject: RE: How Long To Charge Batteries?
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.
Posted 2010-09-09 7:29 PM (#124665 - in reply to #124634) Subject: RE: How Long To Charge Batteries?
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.
How Long To Charge Batteries?
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