House battery install

SMBDAD · 06-04-2009, 05:48 PM

I am getting ready to install my new lifeline house battery. Should I charge it before putting it in? What is actually charging the battery when in the vehicle. I believe the inverter charges it, but what about the alternator?

scatter · 06-04-2009, 06:13 PM

The house battery charges from the alternator when the starting batteries are charged and the seperator will then switch over and charge the house battery. That works fine, but I'd charge it before you install if you have a decent charger with enough amps to do the job. The other way would be to install it and then connect to shore power. I believe your SMB installed inverter/charger will do the job for you. I'd leave it connected overnight for sure. That should do it. It should be fairly well charged when you buy it, and just need topping off.

jage · 06-05-2009, 07:05 PM

The shore power works opposite, charging the house batteries first then the separator switches over and charges the starter batteries.

If you've got an isolater I think the alternator charges the house batteries, but not vice-versa.

Also the house battery should be charged on shore power for sure, because if it is more than just topping off it will take a pretty long trip to fully charge.

SMBDAD · 06-06-2009, 05:49 PM

Went to change out the house battery today. It was a piece of cake, but 1 problem. I was told we had 4dl battery. When I dropped it I see it is a 8dl. That stinks! Live and learn, hope someone reads this and pays more attention than I did.

Greg In Austin · 06-06-2009, 09:23 PM

yikes......now what???

SMBDAD · 06-07-2009, 12:08 AM

Now I order an 8dl and wait! I should of dropped the battery and checked before. In reading and talking to people it was described as a 2 hr job. That discouraged me from doing it twice and to trust what others have said. After doing it today, I can say in reality it took about 1/2 hour to 1 hour to do. Undo 4 bolts and it drops out! I will try to get rid of the 4dl locally, or keep to install on a small toyhauler I am looking for.

SMBDAD · 06-08-2009, 01:09 PM

I will take the wrong battery back to the factory (1 hour away) and get full credit for it, while picking up the right battery.