best way to recharge house battery while camping

[Scalf77]

Originally Posted by Ocsmb

Do you have a recommended battery monitor?

What's your recommended method of charging the house battery while at home?

Do you leave your fridge on when parked at home?

I typically, leave the fridge on and have shore power from the house to the van through the exterior smb installed port using the 30am to 15am adapter dongle.

So I would keep on doing what your doing. I really don't like the float capabilities of the intelipower/charge wizard combo. But it is what you have. In my mind you either keep it plugged in on float or storage, all complete charge and disconnect everything.

The Victron Smart Shunt or Victron Battery monitor is probable the top unit today.

[Ocsmb]

Originally Posted by Scalf77

So I would keep on doing what your doing. I really don't like the float capabilities of the intelipower/charge wizard combo. But it is what you have. In my mind you either keep it plugged in on float or storage, all complete charge and disconnect everything.

The Victron Smart Shunt or Victron Battery monitor is probable the top unit today.

Thanks.

I could also just connect the NOCO G7200 straight to the house batteries if you think thats better while at home.

I was also contemplating while camping to connect the house batteries directly to the NOCO that would be plugged into the honda 2000 ac out.

[Scalf77]

Originally Posted by Ocsmb

When the batteries aren't charging is it possible the start batteries are drawing power from the house batteries while we are dry camping?

If the batteries aren't charging they should drop below 12.8 and the 7622 should disconnect. The problem area is during low solar times when you get just enough power to connect the two systems.

[kbeefy]

You don't even need to wait for your camping trip. You could plug it in right now.... if the voltage matches your house batteries it's linked and could draw the starter batteries.
I doubt it is... you would have issues starting if it did.

[Scalf77]

Being that you plug in at home, and have solar, then there is a good chance that your start batteries are on a charger most of the time. While not particularly a big issue, this can some times lead masking of start battery issues. While the Blue Sea 7622 does not have a start assist like the older SurePower units. If solar is charging and or you unplug and start in a relatively short order, there is a good chance that you assisting your start batteries. This usually mask the early signs of start batteries going bad, or ant parasitic loads you might have.

The IneliaPower/Charge wizard float (storage) voltage is is 13.2 volts to specifically not reduce water levels during log float hook ups.

If you installed the Remote Control Contura Switch with the B/S 7622 you can easily keep the two battery systems disconnected if you want. If not being that you have a 7622, you have the ability to disconnect the two systems with the yellow knob switch. This allows you to stay plugged in, or be on solar with no connection to the start system. You can then monitor the voltage of the start batteries overtime and see if anything unusual is happening. with them.

In most cases everything is fine, but it can be relatively easy to check. My general policy was to disable the 7622 while camped. That way I could guarantee that all available solar power went to the house batteries wile camping. If I saw my start battery level was getting to low I could enable it.

[Ocsmb]

Originally Posted by Scalf77

Being that you plug in at home, and have solar, then there is a good chance that your start batteries are on a charger most of the time. While not particularly a big issue, this can some times lead masking of start battery issues. While the Blue Sea 7622 does not have a start assist like the older SurePower units. If solar is charging and or you unplug and start in a relatively short order, there is a good chance that you assisting your start batteries. This usually mask the early signs of start batteries going bad, or ant parasitic loads you might have.

The IneliaPower/Charge wizard float (storage) voltage is is 13.2 volts to specifically not reduce water levels during log float hook ups.

If you installed the Remote Control Contura Switch with the B/S 7622 you can easily keep the two battery systems disconnected if you want. If not being that you have a 7622, you have the ability to disconnect the two systems with the yellow knob switch. This allows you to stay plugged in, or be on solar with no connection to the start system. You can then monitor the voltage of the start batteries overtime and see if anything unusual is happening. with them.

In most cases everything is fine, but it can be relatively easy to check. My general policy was to disable the 7622 while camped. That way I could guarantee that all available solar power went to the house batteries wile camping. If I saw my start battery level was getting to low I could enable it.

Thats a great strategy. Thank you for that. I will heed your advice. Yes, I do have the RC switch installed.

[Ocsmb]

Originally Posted by kbeefy

You don't even need to wait for your camping trip. You could plug it in right now.... if the voltage matches your house batteries it's linked and could draw the starter batteries.
I doubt it is... you would have issues starting if it did.

I bought a dedicated cig lighter battery monitor based on your comment so I can be more informed. thanks.

[rescuejg]

Originally Posted by Ocsmb

When the batteries aren't charging is it possible the start batteries are drawing power from the house batteries while we are dry camping?

Not if your blue sea 7622 is wired and working correctly.

[rescuejg]

Originally Posted by Ocsmb

Sorry, I don't know. Dont have a monitor for the start batteries. Is there a way to monitor the house batteries and start batteries separately? Right now I only use the Blue Sky to monitor the house batteries.

A Victron BMV712 allows you to monitor your leisure batteries and your starter battery. There is a digital display gauge and you can see it on your phone through Bluetooth in the Victron app

[rescuejg]

How old are the batteries?

I'm not entirely clear. The "recharging options" are those all "things" that are currently installed and functioning?