Date:         Thu, 7 May 2009 09:09:58 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Vickers <jeff@VICKERSDESIGN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Vickers <jeff@VICKERSDESIGN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Surepower 1315, auxiliary fuse block,
In-Reply-To:  <20090507040029.03C8E5B8A5A@izzy.vickersdesign.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Dennis,

I have the same setup (PD charger and 1315) with the addition of
having solar panels attached to the aux battery. Obviously, I don't
really need to be charging the start battery with the solar panels so
shutting off the 1315 would keep that from happening. Will adding a
switch to the small ground wire on the 1315 shut it down without
causing any problems?

Thanks,
Jeff


On May 6, 2009, at 9:00 PM, Automatic digest processor wrote:

> Date:    Wed, 6 May 2009 22:36:46 -0400
> From:    Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: Surepower 1315, auxiliary fuse block,
>         Progressive Dynamics charger,
>         and Vitrifrigo installation questions
>
> I have used these devices. The 1315 is a bi directional charge control
> relay. If either battery bank goes to 13.2 volt it will engage
> connecting
> the two banks together. This does allow a charger connected to the
> house
> battery to also charge the chassis battery.
>
> The Progressive Dynamics de-sulphation or equalize charge will not
> cause
> harm and in fact is also helpful for the starting battery. Do you
> also have
> the "Charge control wizard" This is a really helpful add on for these
> chargers. I had the 80 amp charger in my last motor home. From
> experience,
> the equalize charge would peak at 14.5 volts. This was charging two
> golf
> cart batteries and a group 27 starting battery. National RV had
> their own
> design combiner that worked similar to the 1315 except the drop out
> voltage
> all the way down at 11.5 volts.
>
> The 1315 does cut in at 13.2 and seems to drop out at 12.8 volts.
> During
> periods of high demand and low alternator output such as idling with
> the AC
> on or the radiator fan on high speed will cause the 1315 to drop
> out. This
> is lousy as during these times it would be helpful to have the house
> battery
> carry some of this load.
>
> To get the best results the alternator wiring should also be
> upgraded. I
> like to run a separate #8 line from the alternator to whatever relay
> used
> for charging the house battery. Of course this can't be used for
> starting
> assist.
>
> GM batteries have unique charging requirements. While they do need a
> shot to
> 14.6 volts for a full charge, this peak has to be for a controlled
> time
> period. AGM do not like frequent de-sulphation or equalizing charges.
>
> I hope this helps,
> Dennis