RV battery charger
- Thread starter Journee
- Start date
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A Traveler
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2014
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Is there something wrong with the charger already installed in the RV?
You won?t find a good multi-stage charger for only $100.
You won?t find a good multi-stage charger for only $100.
Arch Hoagland
Well-known member
I carry a cheapo Schumacher 6/12 charger I bought many years ago.
I'll use it to charge my engine battery when I forget to use the battery disconnect switch while it is not in use.
I used it a lot on a trip where my toad alternator died when we were on a trip 3,000 miles from home. That was one of those bad trips where if something could go wrong, it did.
I don't use it at all on my two 6 volt house batteries but I suppose in a pinch I could. I think I would disconnect my two six volt batteries and charge them individually though.
I'll use it to charge my engine battery when I forget to use the battery disconnect switch while it is not in use.
I used it a lot on a trip where my toad alternator died when we were on a trip 3,000 miles from home. That was one of those bad trips where if something could go wrong, it did.
I don't use it at all on my two 6 volt house batteries but I suppose in a pinch I could. I think I would disconnect my two six volt batteries and charge them individually though.
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
The older Class A's may not have come with a "quality multi-stage battery charger - they weren't widely installed at the factory until around 2004 or so (depending on brand & model).
You can get a multi-stage battery maintainer/chargers for around $90 or so but it won't have enough amp capacity to more than hold a battery to full charge. If left long enough, it will recharge any battery, but a charger with enough amps to charge fairly quickly will be $200 or so. Here's a 1.25A, dual port, maintenance charger:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NCOKV0/
What are you trying to achieve with this charger? Is it in lieu of using the onboard charge system, or an addition to it? Just an accessory for storage, or for regular use after boondocking (batteries heavily discharged). Please tells us more to get a worthwhile recommendation.
You can get a multi-stage battery maintainer/chargers for around $90 or so but it won't have enough amp capacity to more than hold a battery to full charge. If left long enough, it will recharge any battery, but a charger with enough amps to charge fairly quickly will be $200 or so. Here's a 1.25A, dual port, maintenance charger:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NCOKV0/
What are you trying to achieve with this charger? Is it in lieu of using the onboard charge system, or an addition to it? Just an accessory for storage, or for regular use after boondocking (batteries heavily discharged). Please tells us more to get a worthwhile recommendation.
John From Detroit
Well-known member
Though I agree with Gary.. OLDER and low end units might not have a quality multi-stage
(By the way my recommendation is always Progressive Dynamics 9200 for stand alone or 4600 for replacement of an intergrated converter distribution panel) they are also a bit more than 100 dollars.
I have a Very nice Deltran Battery Tender. it is ALMOST a multi stage in that it has 3 modes two of which need to be invoked manually
Jump start (Never used yet) up to 70 amps
BOOST (Oh did I ever use that) 20 amps
Maintain 1-2 amps
It will auto-switch from boost to Maintain (Default) as I understand but you have to invoke faster charge manually.
There are others that will switch back and forth. And at the 35 amp or 45 amp level 100 would be.. Well. within range.
Camping world of all places has a 9245 for 150 dollars.... Only 1 1/2 your desired price range.
Add some battery leads (Cut a pair of jumper cables or use starter cable) and you got the best smart charger made.
(By the way my recommendation is always Progressive Dynamics 9200 for stand alone or 4600 for replacement of an intergrated converter distribution panel) they are also a bit more than 100 dollars.
I have a Very nice Deltran Battery Tender. it is ALMOST a multi stage in that it has 3 modes two of which need to be invoked manually
Jump start (Never used yet) up to 70 amps
BOOST (Oh did I ever use that) 20 amps
Maintain 1-2 amps
It will auto-switch from boost to Maintain (Default) as I understand but you have to invoke faster charge manually.
There are others that will switch back and forth. And at the 35 amp or 45 amp level 100 would be.. Well. within range.
Camping world of all places has a 9245 for 150 dollars.... Only 1 1/2 your desired price range.
Add some battery leads (Cut a pair of jumper cables or use starter cable) and you got the best smart charger made.
