Roadtrek battery charging

[Moonmanvt]

We have a 2001 RoadTrek 200P on a Chevy chassis. I have searched all through the RoadTrek literature and cannot find any answers to my question. I found (pretty sure)that when I plug in to 120v, the house battery is recharging, but does the chassis(engine starting) battery recharge too? Or do I need to use a separate charger for it. I was thinking of disconnecting the battery cables from the chassis battery, connecting my DVM to the cables, plugging 120v back in and see if I get 12.8v at the cables. Any thought or knowledge would be greatly appreciated. Moonmanvt

[markopolo]

From the factory, your 2001 Roadtrek chassis battery will not get charged when your van is plugged in.

Some newer models actually have a Battery Separator that has this option but I don't know if the were installed in such a way as to utilize it.

This post might interest you: http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/vi...2&t=453&p=1038
my '04 Roadtrek had a three stage charger though so it was basically a float charge
maybe hang a note on the steering wheel to remind you to remove it before using the van

I'm a fan of BatteryMinder maintenance/trickle chargers. I have one in my current van right now maintaining both the house and chassis batteries. A second BatteryMinder is keeping my lawn tractor battery happy until Spring.

[markopolo]

If you end up getting a BatteryMinder then you can make or buy a cigarette lighter type plug for it and charge the chassis battery through the 12v accessory outlet in the van dash.
Some info here: http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/vi....php?f=9&t=656

[markopolo]

Also, you don't need to disconnect the battery cables to do your test. Just touch the multimeter probe ends to the chassis battery posts. If the vehicle hasn't been used in a while the voltage shown will be less than 12.6v. If it is charging from the coach converter/charger then you'll see 13 volts or more.

[Moonmanvt]

Thanks Marco,
I DVM'd the battery, 12.1v. Then I checked to make sure the cig. lighter was hot, which it is, and I am in the process of purchasing a Battery Tender 021-0128 with the lighter adapter. I'll plug the "Tender" into a 15a outlet in the kitchen area and to the lighter socket. Voila, everything will be nice, neat and functional. Thanks again.

[Mike]

There are 2 web pages out there, on all things 12V, which is a good, plain language, primer for RV folks.
Someone on here has linked to them before (marko?).
Might be worth a read for anyone who is curious about how RV electrical system components work.
Here's some links......
http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm
http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volta.htm

I saw a schematic from Part 1 added to another thread on here recently (MegA's van conversion?).