External charger and battery ?

[Rousseau]

Sorry to make a new thread, but I cannot find an answer to a most likely very simple ?. I bought an external float charger. I do not have an inverter/converter. I would like to charge my battery using this charger. I plan to plug it into either a generator or the 120V. Can I charge the battery while I am using it? Is this safe? I just don't want to have to disconnect and reconnect the cables all the time.

Thank You For Any Replies

[exthemius]

I don't know if it's "safe" or not, but when our univolt went out mid-trip, I went down to walmart and purchased a multi-phase charger and threw it on there for 2 weeks! I just left it in my bumper and ran the wires up to the rear compartment and clipped the clips on the battery. We used it this way for 2 weeks until we got back home and replaced the univolt.

I should also note that we're still using the same battery as well (this was almost a year ago) and the battery is still going strong (and we're full-timers, so it gets a lot of use).

[Nuvite-F]

You can use an auto parts store (or Wal Mart) charger/maintainer and it will work OK, although when I did that in our 1960 Pacer I found that they don't last very long in continuous service, even though they claim to be built for it. (The Pacer didn't even have a coach battery as it came from the factory.)

My advice is to buy a good modern converter/charger like the Intellipower. They take better care of your battery than the inexpensive charger/maintainers and are built to do the job.
.

[Ag&Au]

I agree with Nuvite. I would definitely do it to keep from coming home early. However if you do it long term, you will probably go through chargers and batteries fairly quickly. A good quality RV converter will not cost much more that a good quality automotive battery charger and will cost much less in the long run.
Ken

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by w7ts

I agree with Nuvite..... A good quality RV converter will not cost much more that a good quality automotive battery charger and will cost much less in the long run.
Ken

w7ts,

And I agree with Ken, Best Converter has a great deal on this, installed one two Seasons ago, GREAT up-grade!!!

Bob

[Rousseau]

Thanks mates! I plan on using my current plan until something breaks, then get something real nice. Unfortunately, i already blew my wad on an axle for the year.