Update on newer Chevy RoadTrek Chassis & Coach Batteries

[Ron]

Received the following information regarding the chassis/engine battery and coach/auxiliary battery in the newer Chevy RoadTreks, best explanation of the vehicle battery charging system and what is required on the Chevy chassis to maintain the batteries for both the house and the chassis.

With a new battery, fully charged you get 10 to 14 days before the Chassis/Engine battery is down to a "no start" condition, it is normal on the Chevy chassis. because GM feels that it is a cargo van.

GM feels because it is a cargo van it will be driven all the time, and would not sit long enough for the chassis/engine battery to go dead.

Understand that Roadtrek, since late 2008, has been installing a battery separator in the Chevy system that allows "bi-directional" charging, meaning that when the engine is running it will charge both the chassis/engine and coach/auxiliary batteries. When the vehicle is plugged in it will allow charging of both the coach/auxiliary batteries and the chassis/engine battery.

It is possible to leave the vehicle plugged in all the time, which will keep everything ready to go. Also, if possible you can plug the unit in overnight once a week to keep it all charged up, rather than leaving it plugged in. It will not harm the system either way. The Tripp-Lite Inverter/Charger unit is a "smart" charger that will decrease its output when the batteries achieve optimum voltage.

I believe that the Deltran battery tender Junior which I have may never get the engine/chassis battery to a high enough voltage to make the separator close the circuit to the coach/auxiliary batteries. The separator is designed to close the circuit when one or the other battery gets above 13.2 volts.

Ron

[markopolo]

Thanks for the info Ron.

[Ron]

Your more than welcome.