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Old 02-13-2019, 02:59 PM   #1
daveinaz
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Charging rate for batteries when hooked up to shore power?

Just wonder if anyone knows how many amps go to charging the batteries when a 5er is plugged into shore power? We have an 08 3400RL. And does the battery connect switch have to be in the on position for shore power to get to the batteries? And is it wrong to assume that it is an intelligent charger and stops charging the batteries when they are full?

Thanks!
 
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Old 02-13-2019, 03:17 PM   #2
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Key switch needs to be to charge.
need to leave the other answers to someone with knowledge on your vintage of Montana
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Old 02-13-2019, 04:18 PM   #3
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Mine did not come with one so I added this.

https://www.altestore.com/store/char...ALw_wcB#IOTIQ4
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Old 02-13-2019, 04:28 PM   #4
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The inverter will stop charging the battery when charged. i also but don't know for sure but think it's a slow charge . I charge my battery with my Battery tender before I set out on a trip so inverter doesn't have to work that hard to charge a battery. It does have to be on while towing for the emergency braking to work. I have a cut off switch in the ground wire on mine. The truck will keep the battery charged while towing also.
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Old 02-13-2019, 04:44 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Slow Hand View Post
The inverter will stop charging the battery when charged. i also but don't know for sure but think it's a slow charge . I charge my battery with my Battery tender before I set out on a trip so inverter doesn't have to work that hard to charge a battery. It does have to be on while towing for the emergency braking to work. I have a cut off switch in the ground wire on mine. The truck will keep the battery charged while towing also.
When towing, does the TV charge the coach batteries with just the normal 7 pin connector or is there some additional wiring required? I don't see how the trickle charge would get to the batteries with just that 7 pin connector -- but then, I came from a motorhome so how 5er wiring works is not clear to me.

Thanks.
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Old 02-13-2019, 04:47 PM   #6
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Ours came with the charge wizard technology built in. If yours has the same the charge profile should be like this (it doesn't show current draw):

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Old 02-13-2019, 05:49 PM   #7
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[QUOTE=daveinaz;1133034]When towing, does the TV charge the coach batteries with just the normal 7 pin connector or is there some additional wiring required? I don't see how the trickle charge would get to the batteries with just that 7 pin connector -- but then, I came from a motorhome so how 5er wiring works is not clear to me.

It should charge thru the 7 pin, however some makes of truck don't come from the factory setup that way and need some minor modifications.
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Old 02-13-2019, 06:56 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daveinaz View Post
Just wonder if anyone knows how many amps go to charging the batteries when a 5er is plugged into shore power? We have an 08 3400RL.
It will depend on the voltage levels of the batteries and the capabilities of the converter charger

Quote:
And does the battery connect switch have to be in the on position for shore power to get to the batteries?
The shore power (120V) is changed to 12V by the converter and flows to the batteries through the disconnect switch in the convenience center. The switch needs to be in the "On" position to charge the batteries.

Quote:
And is it wrong to assume that it is an intelligent charger and stops charging the batteries when they are full?
Yes an intelligent converter will charge the batteries at various rates as they reach full charge and revert to "float" (aka Storage) mode when full. The better question is does your 2008 have an intelligent charger or not? I *THINK* the 2008s were still using the IOTA DLS 45 converter. Later on, 2010???, Montana moved to a Progressive converter which was intelligent. You need to confirm which converter you have. Even if you have the IOTA, it can made into an intelligent charger converter by the addition of an IOTA IQ4 module (a simple $20 plugin). Clicky
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Old 02-14-2019, 11:03 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by carl n susan View Post
It will depend on the voltage levels of the batteries and the capabilities of the converter charger

The shore power (120V) is changed to 12V by the converter and flows to the batteries through the disconnect switch in the convenience center. The switch needs to be in the "On" position to charge the batteries.

Yes an intelligent converter will charge the batteries at various rates as they reach full charge and revert to "float" (aka Storage) mode when full. The better question is does your 2008 have an intelligent charger or not? I *THINK* the 2008s were still using the IOTA DLS 45 converter. Later on, 2010???, Montana moved to a Progressive converter which was intelligent. You need to confirm which converter you have. Even if you have the IOTA, it can made into an intelligent charger converter by the addition of an IOTA IQ4 module (a simple $20 plugin). Clicky
Thanks. I just plugged in my year and model on Trekwood's site, and it *appears* that my 2008 came with the Iota DLS-75 which appears to have the 3-stage charging, but I'll pull the panel next time I'm out at the rig and make sure.
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Old 02-14-2019, 06:38 PM   #10
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There are two models of the IOTA DLS-75 converter charger. The basic model only charges at one of two voltages (13.6 or 14.2v) preselected by the user. The DLS-75/IQ4 is the one that is a smart charger.

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Old 02-15-2019, 05:55 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by carl n susan View Post
There are two models of the IOTA DLS-75 converter charger. The basic model only charges at one of two voltages (13.6 or 14.2v) preselected by the user. The DLS-75/IQ4 is the one that is a smart charger.

Thanks for the info and helpful link. I’ll definitely check which unit it is next time I’m out with the rig.
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Old 02-15-2019, 01:42 PM   #12
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My 15 F250 will charge my 5er battery through the 7 pin hook up
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Old 02-20-2019, 04:11 PM   #13
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carl n susan: y'all always post the most helpful replies and you forgive the ignoramuses like me which I greatly appreciate. We have a 2007 3400RL. Would you be so kind to tell me how I would find out which inverter I have so I can "upgrade to a smart one"? Do I just remove the cover plate in the bathroom? Many Thanks!
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Old 02-20-2019, 04:40 PM   #14
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My recommendation is to find the manufacturer and model number of your converter and look up the charging specs. That info should be some place on the converter. My 2012 Monty came with an intelligent converter so I never worry about cooking the batteries. I do check electrolyte levels every 2-3 months and top up with distilled water as needed. Assuming that all is well with your TV wiring and the 7-pin pigtail on the Monty, the TV should charge the Monty batteries when connected.
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Old 02-20-2019, 06:38 PM   #15
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Just to save me having to venture out in the sub zero weather to find out what kind of converter charger I have in my 2004 3295RK... does anyone here know? It is the one built into the shore power breaker panel, and in my case is mounted near the entry door.

I am curious because it cooks the battery. I can't unplug the rig, or shut that part of it off (I know which breaker controls the charger) because the 12V is needed for the refrigerator control module even though that it's running on AC when I have shore power.

If anyone knows the model of that converter, or has any idea's how to tone it down a little I would love to learn more about it.
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Old 02-20-2019, 07:22 PM   #16
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Quote:
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....Would you be so kind to tell me how I would find out which inverter I have so I can "upgrade to a smart one"? Do I just remove the cover plate in the bathroom? Many Thanks!
Yup, the converter is back behind the power panel in a 3400. Once you loosen the screws there is enough slack to pull the power panel out and find the converter.

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....what kind of converter charger I have in my 2004 3295RK... does anyone here know? It is the one built into the shore power breaker panel, and in my case is mounted near the entry door.
My 2005 Montana had an IOTA converter as a separate box behind the power center. If yours is integrated it likely is a WFCO and there no help for it. Others have disconnected the converter portion and installed an IOTA, or equivalent, in its place.
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Old 04-09-2019, 03:11 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by carl n susan View Post
[COLOR=RoyalBlue][SIZE=3][FONT=Comic Sans MS]Yes an intelligent converter will charge the batteries at various rates as they reach full charge and revert to "float" (aka Storage) mode when full. The better question is does your 2008 have an intelligent charger or not? I *THINK* the 2008s were still using the IOTA DLS 45 converter. Later on, 2010???, Montana moved to a Progressive converter which was intelligent. You need to confirm which converter you have. Even if you have the IOTA, it can made into an intelligent charger converter by the addition of an IOTA IQ4 module (a simple $20 plugin). Clicky
Thanks for the tip. I checked and yes, I have the Iota DLS-75 converter/charger -- non-intelligent. But I ordered the IQ4 module, plugged it in, and now I have an "intelligent" charger.

Thanks again.
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