After several months of casually trying to track down a charging problem that I've had when running the genset to power by
TrueCharge, I've finally got it.
The TrueCharge 40+ has a sense circuit that detects when the batteries are being supplied by a source other than the
TrueCharge. When I boondock, the only source is the genset to the TrueCharge - or so I thought.
The Onan includes a built-in 2 amp charger that was intended to charge the Onan starting battery. Here's what happens:
1. start with all electrical drains turned off.
2. start genset
3. turn on TrueCharge
Truecharge charges coach batteries. Well mostly. It turns out that mostly I have started the genset with say the radio or a
light or two on. The TrueCharge startsup and supplies power with no problem. However, every once in a while the charger kicks
off with a blinking indicator. By process of elmination, I concluded yesterday that the TrueCharge thought that another power
source was connected to the circuit. I remebered the comments about the Onan charging circuit. SO, I tried a series of
experiements involving starting the genset with a few DC loads online and a situation in which there were no loads at all.
I discovered that starting the genset with a few loads meant that the TrueCharge would work fine. No load and it sensed a
source online.
My question for you Onan experts: where can I disconnect the Onan charger circuit so that I don't damage anything in the Onan
itself? The manual cautions against running the Onan with no load on the regulator. Can I safely disconnect between the Onan
12v generator and the regulator?
Here's why I don't just start the genset with lights on and let it charge: the TrueCharge periodically will shutdown as part
of its charging cycle and sample the battery charge state. IF the lights are turned off when the sampling occurs, the
TrueCharge goes offline. No problems with shore power etc.
Henry '76 Palm Beach
Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (408) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com
TrueCharge, I've finally got it.
The TrueCharge 40+ has a sense circuit that detects when the batteries are being supplied by a source other than the
TrueCharge. When I boondock, the only source is the genset to the TrueCharge - or so I thought.
The Onan includes a built-in 2 amp charger that was intended to charge the Onan starting battery. Here's what happens:
1. start with all electrical drains turned off.
2. start genset
3. turn on TrueCharge
Truecharge charges coach batteries. Well mostly. It turns out that mostly I have started the genset with say the radio or a
light or two on. The TrueCharge startsup and supplies power with no problem. However, every once in a while the charger kicks
off with a blinking indicator. By process of elmination, I concluded yesterday that the TrueCharge thought that another power
source was connected to the circuit. I remebered the comments about the Onan charging circuit. SO, I tried a series of
experiements involving starting the genset with a few DC loads online and a situation in which there were no loads at all.
I discovered that starting the genset with a few loads meant that the TrueCharge would work fine. No load and it sensed a
source online.
My question for you Onan experts: where can I disconnect the Onan charger circuit so that I don't damage anything in the Onan
itself? The manual cautions against running the Onan with no load on the regulator. Can I safely disconnect between the Onan
12v generator and the regulator?
Here's why I don't just start the genset with lights on and let it charge: the TrueCharge periodically will shutdown as part
of its charging cycle and sample the battery charge state. IF the lights are turned off when the sampling occurs, the
TrueCharge goes offline. No problems with shore power etc.
Henry '76 Palm Beach
Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (408) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com
