Battery charging

[stegeeman]

Greetings,
New to the RV world as we just purchased a 2020 Winnebago Boldt KL. I have been reading through the manuals and trying to understand the workings of the batteries. We have a Volta system that powers the RV and a separate battery to start the engine. I am looking for advice on how to maintain the chassis battery as we have not driven the RV for a few weeks and had to jump start the engine yesterday. Reading through the manual it talks about disconnecting the main battery switch but then I hear folks say that is not a good thing. My understanding is the solar panels on the roof will help maintain the Volta system but will not help maintain a charge on the chassis battery. Plugging in the house 120v to the RV will only charge/maintain the Volta system likewise with the 30 amp shore power line. What do you all recommend for maintaining a charge on the chassis battery when the RV sits for a period of time? Thanks so much for your advice! Looking forward to enjoying our Boldt but have a learning curve to tackle first.

 

[Boat Bum]

Put a battery tender on it.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Greetings,
New to the RV world as we just purchased a 2020 Winnebago Boldt KL. I have been reading through the manuals and trying to understand the workings of the batteries. We have a Volta system that powers the RV and a separate battery to start the engine. I am looking for advice on how to maintain the chassis battery as we have not driven the RV for a few weeks and had to jump start the engine yesterday. Reading through the manual it talks about disconnecting the main battery switch but then I hear folks say that is not a good thing. My understanding is the solar panels on the roof will help maintain the Volta system but will not help maintain a charge on the chassis battery. Plugging in the house 120v to the RV will only charge/maintain the Volta system likewise with the 30 amp shore power line. What do you all recommend for maintaining a charge on the chassis battery when the RV sits for a period of time? Thanks so much for your advice! Looking forward to enjoying our Boldt but have a learning curve to tackle first.

If you are plugged into shore power (15 or30 Amp) as Boat Bum suggests a Battery Tender is you solution. https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0128-Maintain-Damaging/dp/B00068XCQU/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[TheLooks]

OR, install a disconnect switch on the negative battery terminal like I have. They even make them wireless with bluetooth now.

 

[jgw528]

mine has a small thing that bridges the chasis battery and house batteries under the step. I dont remember what it ys called. This keeps the chasis battery topped off.
Jack

 

[Boat Bum]

On my boat that was called a battery combiner.

 

[Old one]

Put a battery tender on it.

YES, definitely

 

[BGMAC]

I always have our rv plugged in when stored. In the picture is a battery tender plugged into a 110 outlet on the rv and tied to a chassis battery connection in the compartment. That way anytime the rv is plugged into the chassis battery is trickle charged. Some rv’s do this automatically, but I’ve had issues and this was an easy solution.

 

[TheLooks]

I have both actually....120v power is not always available in the boondocks and I can't see using my inverter to charge a battery that can be disconnected.

 

[BGMAC]

I have both actually....120v power is not always available in the boondocks and I can't see using my inverter to charge a battery that can be disconnected.

Boondocking does change things, but I was really focused on the storage of the RV. Now I don’t boondock for more than a few days usually and I don’t have solar so when I start the generator to charge the house batteries it also charges the chassis battery. Anyway, both solutions solve the problem.