pnichols
Santa Cruz Mountains
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Joined: 04/26/2005
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"I know the alternator on my Workhorse chassis will often trip the over-voltage alarm on my radio power bar.."
Uumm ..... I wonder then what the difference is between the Workhorse chassis alternator's charge control circuitry and that built into Ford's typical 130 amp V10 alternator?
My alternator rarely goes above about 14.3 volts, and then only for a very short time in moderate to lower temperatures .... usually it's ~14.1 volts on down for any length of time. In hot weather it's output tapers off nicely with high temperatures - even to the low 13's when the outside temperature is up around 100 degrees or higher.
As such, my V10 alternator seems to be treating my AGM batteries perfectly when charging them while enroute. In my Itasca MH the alternator is directly connected to the house batteries when the ignition is on .... no diode voltage drop. No diode voltage drop is good in my situation. The house battery ammeter on the dash indicates good current flow into the AGM's when going down the road that tapers nicely as they come up - whether in cold or hot weather.
* This post was
edited 10/04/08 11:01am by pnichols *
Phil, 2005 E450 Itasca 324V Spirit
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Redsled2006
Vacaville, CA
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Joined: 06/13/2006
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To ansewer a few questions.
The Batteries are D31M’s.
I bought them because they were the biggest (amp wise) batteries that I could get into my battery compartment.
Optima’s web site recomends “Blue Top” for RV’s.
I’ve remove the factory converter and replaced it with a Prosine 2.0 set for AGM batteries.
I went dry camping about 20 times since I’ve bought them and get about 2 ½ days before the low voltage alarm sounds and I fire up the generator for a couple of hours and get to a charge of less then 2 amps. I use the sat and tv and use a Cpap at night along with all the lights.
When I’m at home, I keep the shore power plug attached to a 20 amp circuit I installed in my RV’s garage. The battery control center keeps all batteries charged (thru the inverter/charger) to 13.8 volts after they’re fully charged (maintenance setting.
I also get an “over charge alarm” when I start up the engine.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Sounds like you are set up pretty good. Although 13.8 is a bit high for the float. Specs say:"Float Charge: 13.2 to 13.8 volts, 1 amp maximum current, time indefinite (at lower voltage)." I assume you chose the Optima charging profile but I would modify it to lower the float voltage some.
I hope the low voltage alarm is well above 10.5 volts (100% discharge) and closer to 12.0 to 12.2 volts (50% charge). While AGM can tolerate deeper discharges it still is a bit hard on the battery to go all the way down.
You might as well try the Prosine equilization charge to see if you can put some life back into the batteries you have.
Optima D31M has 75 amp hours. Same size Lifeline AGM has 105 amp hours, 40% more power.
I am suprized the starting Optima gave up so quick. Does this battery get floated at 13.8 also? I assume it has enough cranking amps.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
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pnichols
Santa Cruz Mountains
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Joined: 04/26/2005
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"Optima’s web site recomends “Blue Top” for RV’s."
Uuummmm ... Optima says their yellow top is their "deep cycle" battery. I use the yellows for everything, including as starting batteries.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Blue, Red, Yellow is mostly about terminal configuration. Light grey case is deep cycle/starting and dark grey case is starting only. Red top only come with dark grey case, Blue can have light or dark grey case, and Yellow is only light grey case. Red top is automotive connections, Blue is automotive and stud connections and Yellow is either stud or automotive. D31M (blue), D31T(yellow), D31A (yellow) all have the exact same specs for capacity and charging as they just have different tops on the same grey case.
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Denny & Jami
Home Base Nebraska
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Joined: 08/05/2004
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We have had 2 blue tops in our trailer for 5 1/2 years without any problems at all. We are fulltimers so they spend most of the time plugged into shore power, our converter floats at 13.6 volts.
Denny
2000 F350 SC DRW V10 4.30 gears, Banks Cat Back, BrakeSmart, Air Lifts
2003 HitchHiker Premier 35FKTG
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Hurricaner
Hurricane Utah
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Joined: 02/17/2007
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Quote:The battery control center keeps all batteries charged (thru the inverter/charger) to 13.8 volts after they’re fully charged (maintenance setting.
I also get an “over charge alarm” when I start up the engine.
13.8 is too high for an AGM to float in hot weather and as I recall, Vacaville gets pretty toasty. These batteries cannot take high heat and high voltage for extended periods.
Sam
Sam & Kari
Hurricane, Utah
2004 34' Damon Challenger 315
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Ok, Xantrex Prosine is one of the converters I rate as TOPS (And I've done extensive research into converters) Question.. Did you opt for temperatur compensation? (And have you checked to see if the temp-sender is functioning properly) My original Prosine had issues there.. IT's replacement works fine.
And optimas are never, and I mean NEVER, the largest batteries amp-hour wise you can fit in the space. . You need only look at 'em to see why (they are not all there) a LIfeline, MK or DEKA AGM of the same size WILL have more amp hours
As someone upthread said (And I repeated) all the advantages of OPTIMA with more amp hours and lower cost
That is. of course, unless you are in the habit of slamming over waves (Wave Runner type PWC) or ridges and gullies (off-roading or 4-wheeling) with your Motor home. And I suspect you don't do that. At least not twice.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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RJsfishin
Winston Or.
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Joined: 10/16/2007
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Here it is in another language..........
Optima is a special purpose battery, and has no place as the "house battery" in a dry camper's RV. If you don't believe it, keep replacing them,...the story always ends the same 
Rich
'98 Flair, 454, Onan Microlite 4k, Intel PD 9155 w/ wizard, Sta-power 1500 watt Inv, 2 6v batts, ammeters, KingDome/sat, Oly Catalytic Heat, hauling 2 Bent Bikes and sometimes towing a Tracker F&S boat.
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pnichols
Santa Cruz Mountains
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Joined: 04/26/2005
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"...keep replacing them...."
Rich, I'm not sure I understand this: In motorhome coach service with proper charging and care, why would an AGM yellow-top Optima last a shorter time than an AGM Lifeline?
I'm curious as to what technology or construction reasons would account for this.
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