Battery Charging

[Weber Grill]

Hello All,

I know there have been many posts about charging the PU battery. I picked up my TV and PU this last week, have two short trips scheduled next month. All the battery chargers I have looked at say to attach the red lead to the positive post of course but not to attach the black lead directly to the post, but to use a minimum 24"  insulated lead between the battery post and the charger.

I assume this is important because the instructions repeat it over and over, what is the reason for this?

I have worked in the electronics industry for many years but haven't had much experience with batteries, something about them make me nervous!  :yikes:

Thanks in advance for your input.

Patrick  :usflag:
2004 Toyota Tundra Double Cab
2006 Fleetwood Sequoia

[garym053]

The reason is that when connecting at the battery, you COULD cause a spark that would explode the gases coming off the battery. That's the reason for a 2 foot lead.

[chasd60]

If you attach the charger before you plug it in and unplug it before you disconnect, you will be fine.
 
Vector makes a nice Smart Charger. Husky at Home Depot and Black and Decker at WalMart are made by Vector. The have manually operated desulfation mode and equalization mode. Very good features to have.

[wavery]

That warning has mainly to do with charging car batteries. The hydrogen gas that batteries make when charging is very explosive. When you have the battery in a confined area with little air flow there is a very small possibility that the battery could explode when you take off the battery clamp (from the battery charger). When you remove the clamp there is often a small spark. If there is an accumulation of gases, it could ignite, although the possibility is remote, especially on a trailer that has the battery out in the air.

If you are concerned about it. Try hooking the negative side of the charger cable to the frame of the trailer, away from the battery. You will need to find a spot that has no paint and very little rust. Maybe scratch the rust with a screw driver. When finished charging, remove the negative clamp 1st.

Another solution is to put a toggle switch in the negative battery cable. Hook up the battery and turn on the switch. Turn it off before removing the cable .

The warning is on the charger because these explosions have occured (all be it, very rare) and it is called "CYA".

BTW....whenever I take the clamps off of my battery.....I turn my head so that I am not facing the battery ............just in case .

[tlhdoc]

You may want to check any Radio Shacks in your area.  They have a nice charger on clearance for $19.99.  

[movein69]

You may want to check any Radio Shacks in your area.  They have a nice charger on clearance for $19.99.  

I have a question on the same subject. When I plug my pop-up to electricity, my battery charges automatically. I know I can do it the other way too, but is this the same way on everyone's or just mine?

[wavery]

I have a question on the same subject. When I plug my pop-up to electricity, my battery charges automatically. I know I can do it the other way too, but is this the same way on everyone's or just mine?

When you plug your camper in, it charges the battery through the converter. There are many different types of converters that charge batteries at different levels of efficiency.

My converter is very inefficient and will only charge the battery to about 12.5v. A "Smart Charger" will give you a much higher rate of charge (unless your converter has a built in smart charger).