Box batteries

[dumboatt2]

Need to know if the box batteries charge while the rig is traveling. It is a Forester 2251 LE motorhome. Asked dealer and they could not give a definitive answer. Called Forest River and they hung up on me before I could get to the right person. Thanks in advance.

[SeaDog]

I'm going to assume you are talking about the coach batteries. Most rigs once the starting battery is recharged will charge the coach batteries but at a much slower rate then you would expect. I have found that after leaving a camp site running the generator provided a faster charge.

[dumboatt2]

Yes, sorry the coach batteries. This is our 5th motorhome and the last 4 all charged when on the road. At the present mine doesn't, so I took it in to be repaired. First question was "is it set up to charge while in motion". I answered "aren't they all" He said no. Needless to say I was surprised.

[dumboatt2]

Finally spoke to the service manager at Forest River. He said that the coach batteries recharge while driving after the batteries have dropped to 11 volts or lower. He claimed this was to keep the batteries from over charging and boiling. I have not heard of such a thing. Isn't 12 volts considered about 25% discharge rate?

[Tombsy]

Not sure what he meant, 11 volts is pretty much 100% discharged. For longest life they should only be discharged to 50%.