Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger

> Tom,
>
> I have 1 battery in back that is isolated for the generator, 1 up front to
> start the engine, and a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries (also up front)
> for the coach, and want to replace my OEM converter/charger. I'm pretty
> sure I need the 40, rather than the 40+, but need to do a little more
> research to know for sure. Assuming I need the 40, I'd be interested in a
> unit with the led monitor.
>
> Dave Lowry, '76 Royale, Santa Barbara

Sounds like you have it backwards because the 40 can only charge 2 battery
banks and the 40+ can charge 3 banks.
Phil Swanson
 
I would use the 40 in this situration. You do not have to charge the engine
battery with this set up so the two banks of the 40 would service your
generator battery and the 2 golf batteries

>
>

>
>> Tom,
>>
>> I have 1 battery in back that is isolated for the generator, 1 up front to
>> start the engine, and a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries (also up front)
>> for the coach, and want to replace my OEM converter/charger. I'm pretty
>> sure I need the 40, rather than the 40+, but need to do a little more
>> research to know for sure. Assuming I need the 40, I'd be interested in a
>> unit with the led monitor.
>>
>> Dave Lowry, '76 Royale, Santa Barbara
>
>Sounds like you have it backwards because the 40 can only charge 2 battery
>banks and the 40+ can charge 3 banks.
> Phil Swanson
>
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
Darren:

What you said was what I was trying to point out and the fallacy that I see
with replacing the original converter by installing a charger. I know that
today's units offer clean 12 v power whether from either 12 v (battery) or a
120 v converter systems.

However, beyond that, what advantage(s) are there to going with a charger
type unit vs. a modern converter that efficiently charges and is also
capable of producing "clean" 12 v power?

Paul Bartz

From: Darren Paget [mailto:paget]
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 11:26 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger

By replacing the converter/charger with a charger only will make your entire
12v system run solely off the battery. The stock system used your converter
to change 110v to 12v thus bypassing your battery. The charger system will
keep your battery charged while it is plugged into shore power. Darren

Thom:
Are you saying then that it is the battery charger portion of our original
inverter that hums??? If not, then I don't understand, because I thought
two functions (i. e. inverter and charger) are in the original unit, but
handled electrically?????. Otherwise, if you just disconnect the battery
charging capability from the original inverter and substitute a new charger,
you're still left with electrical hum.
As I understand the Statpower unit you're proposing, is solely a battery
charger, right????
Am I missing something????
Paul
From: Thomas G. Warner [mailto:warner]

Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 11:58 AM
Subject: RE: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
This one replaces the one that hums and has the latest technology.

Thom:
What is the benefit of adding the battery charger, besides the obvious
technology in today's units? Now you have an another piece of equipment to
deal with, in addition to your inverter.
Have you considered the Todd Power Source converter-charger ($260), an all
in one unit sold by GMC owner Byron Maxwell (maxwell
) He says it's the lowest cost of the three
"switching power supply" converters he knows of.
Doesn't it make more sense to update your inverter-charger with current
state of the art equipment? Most original one's hum a lot.
Paul Bartz
From: owner-gmcmotorhome

On Behalf Of Thomas
G. Warner
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 1998 9:08 PM
Subject: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
I am going to replace my 12 volt house charger in the coach and am
coordinating with the Statpower people on a price for a refurbished model
40. They have it down to $178 US so far and I think I can get lower prices
for multiple buys. the led remote readout is US $38 more.
Anyone interested in one if the price is right?
Tom & Marg Warner
 
Maybe I did not explain it clearly. the statpower Truecharge 40 is a
converter. it not only charges the batteries but produces 12V DC for the
coach. It totally replaces the old converter and retains all of the
original functions plus more.

>Darren:
>
>What you said was what I was trying to point out and the fallacy that I see
>with replacing the original converter by installing a charger. I know that
>today's units offer clean 12 v power whether from either 12 v (battery) or a
>120 v converter systems.
>
>However, beyond that, what advantage(s) are there to going with a charger
>type unit vs. a modern converter that efficiently charges and is also
>capable of producing "clean" 12 v power?
>
> Paul Bartz
>
>From: Darren Paget [mailto:paget]
>Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 11:26 PM
>Subject: Re: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
>
>By replacing the converter/charger with a charger only will make your entire
>12v system run solely off the battery. The stock system used your converter
>to change 110v to 12v thus bypassing your battery. The charger system will
>keep your battery charged while it is plugged into shore power. Darren

>Thom:
>Are you saying then that it is the battery charger portion of our original
>inverter that hums??? If not, then I don't understand, because I thought
>two functions (i. e. inverter and charger) are in the original unit, but
>handled electrically?????. Otherwise, if you just disconnect the battery
>charging capability from the original inverter and substitute a new charger,
>you're still left with electrical hum.
>As I understand the Statpower unit you're proposing, is solely a battery
>charger, right????
>Am I missing something????
> Paul
>From: Thomas G. Warner [mailto:warner]
>
>Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 11:58 AM
>Subject: RE: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
>This one replaces the one that hums and has the latest technology.

>Thom:
>What is the benefit of adding the battery charger, besides the obvious
>technology in today's units? Now you have an another piece of equipment to
>deal with, in addition to your inverter.
>Have you considered the Todd Power Source converter-charger ($260), an all
>in one unit sold by GMC owner Byron Maxwell (maxwell
> ) He says it's the lowest cost of the three
>"switching power supply" converters he knows of.
>Doesn't it make more sense to update your inverter-charger with current
>state of the art equipment? Most original one's hum a lot.
> Paul Bartz
>From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>
> > On Behalf Of Thomas
>G. Warner
>Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 1998 9:08 PM
>Subject: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
>I am going to replace my 12 volt house charger in the coach and am
>coordinating with the Statpower people on a price for a refurbished model
>40. They have it down to $178 US so far and I think I can get lower prices
>for multiple buys. the led remote readout is US $38 more.
>Anyone interested in one if the price is right?
>Tom & Marg Warner
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
Right now Heintz is doing the negotiations since he lives in BC. I am
waiting for word from him.

>Thomas.
> Thats what I was waiting to hear. Did not want to ask again. Put me
>down for one with monitor panel. Will funds be sent to you OR?
>Frank SW Indiana
>
>
>>Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 16:36:00 -0500 (EST)
>>To: gmcmotorhome
>>From: "Thomas G. Warner"
>>Subject: RE: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
>>Reply-To: gmcmotorhome
>>
>>Maybe I did not explain it clearly. the statpower Truecharge 40 is a
>>converter. it not only charges the batteries but produces 12V DC for
>the
>>coach. It totally replaces the old converter and retains all of the
>>original functions plus more.
>>
>>
>>

>>>Darren:
>>>
>>>What you said was what I was trying to point out and the fallacy that
>I see
>>>with replacing the original converter by installing a charger. I know
>that
>>>today's units offer clean 12 v power whether from either 12 v
>(battery) or a
>>>120 v converter systems.
>>>
>>>However, beyond that, what advantage(s) are there to going with a
>charger
>>>type unit vs. a modern converter that efficiently charges and is also
>>>capable of producing "clean" 12 v power?
>>>
>>> Paul Bartz
>>>
>>>From: Darren Paget [mailto:paget]
>>>Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 11:26 PM
>>>Subject: Re: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
>>>
>>>By replacing the converter/charger with a charger only will make your
>entire
>>>12v system run solely off the battery. The stock system used your
>converter
>>>to change 110v to 12v thus bypassing your battery. The charger system
>will
>>>keep your battery charged while it is plugged into shore power.
>Darren

>>>Thom:
>>>Are you saying then that it is the battery charger portion of our
>original
>>>inverter that hums??? If not, then I don't understand, because I
>thought
>>>two functions (i. e. inverter and charger) are in the original unit,
>but
>>>handled electrically?????. Otherwise, if you just disconnect the
>battery
>>>charging capability from the original inverter and substitute a new
>charger,
>>>you're still left with electrical hum.
>>>As I understand the Statpower unit you're proposing, is solely a
>battery
>>>charger, right????
>>>Am I missing something????
>>> Paul
>>>From: Thomas G. Warner [mailto:warner]
>>>
>>>Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 11:58 AM
>>>Subject: RE: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
>>>This one replaces the one that hums and has the latest technology.

>>>Thom:
>>>What is the benefit of adding the battery charger, besides the obvious
>>>technology in today's units? Now you have an another piece of
>equipment to
>>>deal with, in addition to your inverter.
>>>Have you considered the Todd Power Source converter-charger ($260), an
>all
>>>in one unit sold by GMC owner Byron Maxwell (maxwell
>>> ) He says it's the lowest cost of the
>three
>>>"switching power supply" converters he knows of.
>>>Doesn't it make more sense to update your inverter-charger with
>current
>>>state of the art equipment? Most original one's hum a lot.
>>> Paul Bartz
>>>From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>>>
>>>>> > On Behalf Of
>Thomas
>>>G. Warner
>>>Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 1998 9:08 PM
>>>Subject: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
>>>I am going to replace my 12 volt house charger in the coach and am
>>>coordinating with the Statpower people on a price for a refurbished
>model
>>>40. They have it down to $178 US so far and I think I can get lower
>prices
>>>for multiple buys. the led remote readout is US $38 more.
>>>Anyone interested in one if the price is right?
>>>Tom & Marg Warner
>>>
>>>
>>Tom & Marg Warner
>>Vernon Center NY
>>1976 palmbeach
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
Well... the word ain't too good :-)
They consider the refurbished 40's priced adequately low so that nothing
extra seems available and for current items (40+ and ProSine) they want a
longer term quantity plan. I guess they're not hungry enough to want to look
at a bulk $ value.

So... the pricing is as per website for under 6 and only slightly better for
more than 6, i.e. as you had indicated in earlier email Thomas.

So... it may be back to plan B, i.e. individual ordering from the web. I do
have a call in to a distributor, but it could be that they couldn't even get
the 40 anymore as it's a discontinued product.

Rats....

Heinz

>Right now Heintz is doing the negotiations since he lives in BC. I am
>waiting for word from him.
>
>
>

>>Thomas.
>> Thats what I was waiting to hear. Did not want to ask again. Put me
>>down for one with monitor panel. Will funds be sent to you OR?
>>Frank SW Indiana
>>
>>
>>>Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 16:36:00 -0500 (EST)
>>>To: gmcmotorhome
>>>From: "Thomas G. Warner"
>>>Subject: RE: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
>>>Reply-To: gmcmotorhome
>>>
>>>Maybe I did not explain it clearly. the statpower Truecharge 40 is a
>>>converter. it not only charges the batteries but produces 12V DC for
>>the
>>>coach. It totally replaces the old converter and retains all of the
>>>original functions plus more.
>>>
>>>
>>>

>>>>Darren:
>>>>
>>>>What you said was what I was trying to point out and the fallacy that
>>I see
>>>>with replacing the original converter by installing a charger. I know
>>that
>>>>today's units offer clean 12 v power whether from either 12 v
>>(battery) or a
>>>>120 v converter systems.
>>>>
>>>>However, beyond that, what advantage(s) are there to going with a
>>charger
>>>>type unit vs. a modern converter that efficiently charges and is also
>>>>capable of producing "clean" 12 v power?
>>>>
>>>> Paul Bartz
>>>>
>>>>From: Darren Paget [mailto:paget]
>>>>Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 11:26 PM
>>>>Subject: Re: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
>>>>
>>>>By replacing the converter/charger with a charger only will make your
>>entire
>>>>12v system run solely off the battery. The stock system used your
>>converter
>>>>to change 110v to 12v thus bypassing your battery. The charger system
>>will
>>>>keep your battery charged while it is plugged into shore power.
>>Darren

>>>>Thom:
>>>>Are you saying then that it is the battery charger portion of our
>>original
>>>>inverter that hums??? If not, then I don't understand, because I
>>thought
>>>>two functions (i. e. inverter and charger) are in the original unit,
>>but
>>>>handled electrically?????. Otherwise, if you just disconnect the
>>battery
>>>>charging capability from the original inverter and substitute a new
>>charger,
>>>>you're still left with electrical hum.
>>>>As I understand the Statpower unit you're proposing, is solely a
>>battery
>>>>charger, right????
>>>>Am I missing something????
>>>> Paul
>>>>From: Thomas G. Warner [mailto:warner]
>>>>
>>>>Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 11:58 AM
>>>>Subject: RE: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
>>>>This one replaces the one that hums and has the latest technology.

>>>>Thom:
>>>>What is the benefit of adding the battery charger, besides the obvious
>>>>technology in today's units? Now you have an another piece of
>>equipment to
>>>>deal with, in addition to your inverter.
>>>>Have you considered the Todd Power Source converter-charger ($260), an
>>all
>>>>in one unit sold by GMC owner Byron Maxwell (maxwell
>>>> ) He says it's the lowest cost of the
>>three
>>>>"switching power supply" converters he knows of.
>>>>Doesn't it make more sense to update your inverter-charger with
>>current
>>>>state of the art equipment? Most original one's hum a lot.
>>>> Paul Bartz
>>>>From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>>>>
>>>>>>> > On Behalf Of
>>Thomas
>>>>G. Warner
>>>>Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 1998 9:08 PM
>>>>Subject: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
>>>>I am going to replace my 12 volt house charger in the coach and am
>>>>coordinating with the Statpower people on a price for a refurbished
>>model
>>>>40. They have it down to $178 US so far and I think I can get lower
>>prices
>>>>for multiple buys. the led remote readout is US $38 more.
>>>>Anyone interested in one if the price is right?
>>>>Tom & Marg Warner
>>>>
>>>>
>>>Tom & Marg Warner
>>>Vernon Center NY
>>>1976 palmbeach
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>______________________________________________________
>>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>>
>>
>Tom & Marg Warner
>Vernon Center NY
>1976 palmbeach
>
 
My understanding is, and I may be wrong, that by using a good quality stand
alone charger is the best way to keep your coach batteries in top shape. Most
charger/converters will "gas your batteries". Meaning that there is no staged
charge. The charger/converter will keep charging at an accelerated rate with no
"float charge". Most c/c will give a constant charge of 16v which over a long
period of time, i.e.. boondocking, will evaporate the water out of your battery,
(gassing). By having, only, a charger this will give your battery a three stage
charge. Bulk charge @ 14.5v. Absorption charge @ 13.75v. Float charge @
13.4v. The other nice thing about most inverter/chargers is that they are
programmable to your specific battery or configuration. This info. refers
specifically to TRACE INVERTERS but is applicable to others. Darren

> Darren:
>
> What you said was what I was trying to point out and the fallacy that I see
> with replacing the original converter by installing a charger. I know that
> today's units offer clean 12 v power whether from either 12 v (battery) or a
> 120 v converter systems.
>
> However, beyond that, what advantage(s) are there to going with a charger
> type unit vs. a modern converter that efficiently charges and is also
> capable of producing "clean" 12 v power?
>
> Paul Bartz
>
> From: Darren Paget [mailto:paget]
> Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 11:26 PM
> Subject: Re: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
>
> By replacing the converter/charger with a charger only will make your entire
> 12v system run solely off the battery. The stock system used your converter
> to change 110v to 12v thus bypassing your battery. The charger system will
> keep your battery charged while it is plugged into shore power. Darren

> Thom:
> Are you saying then that it is the battery charger portion of our original
> inverter that hums??? If not, then I don't understand, because I thought
> two functions (i. e. inverter and charger) are in the original unit, but
> handled electrically?????. Otherwise, if you just disconnect the battery
> charging capability from the original inverter and substitute a new charger,
> you're still left with electrical hum.
> As I understand the Statpower unit you're proposing, is solely a battery
> charger, right????
> Am I missing something????
> Paul
> From: Thomas G. Warner [mailto:warner]
>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 11:58 AM
> Subject: RE: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
> This one replaces the one that hums and has the latest technology.

> Thom:
> What is the benefit of adding the battery charger, besides the obvious
> technology in today's units? Now you have an another piece of equipment to
> deal with, in addition to your inverter.
> Have you considered the Todd Power Source converter-charger ($260), an all
> in one unit sold by GMC owner Byron Maxwell (maxwell
> ) He says it's the lowest cost of the three
> "switching power supply" converters he knows of.
> Doesn't it make more sense to update your inverter-charger with current
> state of the art equipment? Most original one's hum a lot.
> Paul Bartz
> From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>
> > On Behalf Of Thomas
> G. Warner
> Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 1998 9:08 PM
> Subject: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
> I am going to replace my 12 volt house charger in the coach and am
> coordinating with the Statpower people on a price for a refurbished model
> 40. They have it down to $178 US so far and I think I can get lower prices
> for multiple buys. the led remote readout is US $38 more.
> Anyone interested in one if the price is right?
> Tom & Marg Warner
 
I went back and read Wes Coughlin's article on the Truecharge 40+ in the Sep
98/Issue 17, GMC Motorhome News (Cinnabar) newsletter and see where that
model is needed if you want to maintain more than two coach batteries (I
have three in my 78 Royale).

There are times when a coach is not used for weeks or months at a time.
Keeping batteries, including the engine battery, at their optimal state of
charge is important to their longevity. This is where the new generation of
chargers, such as the Statpower Truecharge 40/Truecharge 40+ series, shine
with their 21-day maintenance cycle, according to Wes's article. All one
needs to do to take advantage of the cycle, is be plugged into shore power.
The battery "boiling" phenomena resulting from being plugged in is no longer
a concern with unit's such as Statpower's.

IMO, it would be beneficial to use a unit that is configured to connect to
ALL of the coach batteries.

In my case, although the price for the former refurbished unit is attractive
from Statpower, it only supports a maximum of two batteries, and therefore I
need their later unit.

Don't know if anyone thought of it or not, but it seems to me that there is
an economic savings (not to mention the convenience of always having charged
batteries), to stretching out the life cycle of our batteries by replacing
our original ferroresonant converter - charger with a modern day "charger".
Doing so also eliminates the humm associated with the original units, as
well as the audio interference associated with using a 12 v powered TV or
stereo equipment. All of these benefits are not available when using
individual inverter units.

Incidentally, in my research I noted from Statpower's web site that
Foretravel has recently changed over to the Statpower PROsine 2.5 inverter
exclusively for their coaches. I talked to Foretravel's electrical engineer
the other day and he tells me the reliability of Statpower's units is
superior to what they previously utilized.

Paul Bartz.

From: Thomas G. Warner [mailto:warner]
Sent: Friday, December 18, 1998 8:32 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger

I would use the 40 in this situration. You do not have to charge the engine
battery with this set up so the two banks of the 40 would service your
generator battery and the 2 golf batteries At 09:13 PM 12/17/98 -0800, you
wrote:

Tom,
I have 1 battery in back that is isolated for the generator, 1 up front to
start the engine, and a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries (also up front)
for the coach, and want to replace my OEM converter/charger. I'm pretty sure
I need the 40, rather than the 40+, but need to do a little more research to
know for sure. Assuming I need the 40, I'd be interested in a unit with the
led monitor.
Dave Lowry, '76 Royale, Santa Barbara
Sounds like you have it backwards because the 40 can only charge 2 battery
banks and the 40+ can charge 3 banks.
 
Paul there seems to be some confusion relative to what the Truecharge 40
will do. It will replace the old ferroresonant unit(original equipment). It
will support two battery BANKS(not batteries) simultaneously. That means it
will service 2 golf batteries connected in series, or one large 12V battery
(1 bank) for the house battery, and one other battery bank. The majority of
GMC coaches have just 2 battery banks. The house battery(installed near the
generator) and the engine battery (installed on the passenger side front of
the coach). All we really need is a charger for one battery bank since the
alternator services the engine battery.
Hope that this clarifies the issue.

I can't really see where we need the 40+ unit. It is overkill for our use,
unless we just want to spend money on the latest technology.

>I went back and read Wes Coughlin's article on the Truecharge 40+ in the Sep
>98/Issue 17, GMC Motorhome News (Cinnabar) newsletter and see where that
>model is needed if you want to maintain more than two coach batteries (I
>have three in my 78 Royale).
>
>There are times when a coach is not used for weeks or months at a time.
>Keeping batteries, including the engine battery, at their optimal state of
>charge is important to their longevity. This is where the new generation of
>chargers, such as the Statpower Truecharge 40/Truecharge 40+ series, shine
>with their 21-day maintenance cycle, according to Wes's article. All one
>needs to do to take advantage of the cycle, is be plugged into shore power.
>The battery "boiling" phenomena resulting from being plugged in is no longer
>a concern with unit's such as Statpower's.
>
>IMO, it would be beneficial to use a unit that is configured to connect to
>ALL of the coach batteries.
>
>In my case, although the price for the former refurbished unit is attractive
>from Statpower, it only supports a maximum of two batteries, and therefore I
>need their later unit.
>
>Don't know if anyone thought of it or not, but it seems to me that there is
>an economic savings (not to mention the convenience of always having charged
>batteries), to stretching out the life cycle of our batteries by replacing
>our original ferroresonant converter - charger with a modern day "charger".
>Doing so also eliminates the humm associated with the original units, as
>well as the audio interference associated with using a 12 v powered TV or
>stereo equipment. All of these benefits are not available when using
>individual inverter units.
>
>Incidentally, in my research I noted from Statpower's web site that
>Foretravel has recently changed over to the Statpower PROsine 2.5 inverter
>exclusively for their coaches. I talked to Foretravel's electrical engineer
>the other day and he tells me the reliability of Statpower's units is
>superior to what they previously utilized.
>
> Paul Bartz.
>
>From: Thomas G. Warner [mailto:warner]
>Sent: Friday, December 18, 1998 8:32 AM
>Subject: Re: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger
>
>I would use the 40 in this situration. You do not have to charge the engine
>battery with this set up so the two banks of the 40 would service your
>generator battery and the 2 golf batteries At 09:13 PM 12/17/98 -0800, you
>wrote:

>Tom,
>I have 1 battery in back that is isolated for the generator, 1 up front to
>start the engine, and a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries (also up front)
>for the coach, and want to replace my OEM converter/charger. I'm pretty sure
>I need the 40, rather than the 40+, but need to do a little more research to
>know for sure. Assuming I need the 40, I'd be interested in a unit with the
>led monitor.
>Dave Lowry, '76 Royale, Santa Barbara
>Sounds like you have it backwards because the 40 can only charge 2 battery
>banks and the 40+ can charge 3 banks.
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
Thom:

I agree that the alternator will charge the engine battery, but only when
the engine is running, and don't deny that a number of coaches may have only
two batteries. However, in my case, as I mentioned, I have three batteries,
one of which is the engine battery.

I'm not advocating that everyone needs the Truecharge 40+, but I feel I do
because of having three batteries.

My original point was that there are frequently times when a coach is not
used for weeks or months and the engine battery still needs to be or should
be "maintained" for greatest longevity. Therefore, I don't agree that the
maximum benefits are obtained if the engine battery isn't hooked up to a
Truecharge type unit. On the other hand, it's up to each individual to
determine their own configuration.

I was merely trying to point out the benefits, as I see them, of connecting
"ALL" coach batteries to a modern day "charger".

Paul

- -----Original Message-----
From: Thomas G. Warner [mailto:warner]
Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 1998 4:20 PM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: RE: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger

Paul there seems to be some confusion relative to what the Truecharge 40
will do. It will replace the old ferroresonant unit(original equipment). It
will support two battery BANKS(not batteries) simultaneously. That means it
will service 2 golf batteries connected in series, or one large 12V battery
(1 bank) for the house battery, and one other battery bank. The majority of
GMC coaches have just 2 battery banks. The house battery(installed near the
generator) and the engine battery (installed on the passenger side front of
the coach). All we really need is a charger for one battery bank since the
alternator services the engine battery.
Hope that this clarifies the issue.

I can't really see where we need the 40+ unit. It is overkill for our use,
unless we just want to spend money on the latest technology.

I went back and read Wes Coughlin's article on the Truecharge 40+ in the Sep
98/Issue 17, GMC Motorhome News (Cinnabar) newsletter and see where that
model is needed if you want to maintain more than two coach batteries (I
have three in my 78 Royale).

There are times when a coach is not used for weeks or months at a time.

Keeping batteries, including the engine battery, at their optimal state of
charge is important to their longevity. This is where the new generation of
chargers, such as the Statpower Truecharge 40/Truecharge 40+ series, shine
with their 21-day maintenance cycle, according to Wes's article. All one
needs to do to take advantage of the cycle, is be plugged into shore power.

The battery "boiling" phenomena resulting from being plugged in is no longer
a concern with unit's such as Statpower's.

IMO, it would be beneficial to use a unit that is configured to connect to
ALL of the coach batteries.

In my case, although the price for the former refurbished unit is attractive
from Statpower, it only supports a maximum of two batteries, and therefore I
need their later unit.

Don't know if anyone thought of it or not, but it seems to me that there is
an economic savings (not to mention the convenience of always having charged
batteries), to stretching out the life cycle of our batteries by replacing
our original ferroresonant converter - charger with a modern day "charger".

Doing so also eliminates the humm associated with the original units, as
well as the audio interference associated with using a 12 v powered TV or
stereo equipment. All of these benefits are not available when using
individual inverter units.

Incidentally, in my research I noted from Statpower's web site that
Foretravel has recently changed over to the Statpower PROsine 2.5 inverter
exclusively for their coaches. I talked to Foretravel's electrical engineer
the other day and he tells me the reliability of Statpower's units is
superior to what they previously utilized.

Paul Bartz.

From: Thomas G. Warner [mailto:warner]
Sent: Friday, December 18, 1998 8:32 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: Statpower truecharger 40 smart charger

I would use the 40 in this situration. You do not have to charge the engine
battery with this set up so the two banks of the 40 would service your
generator battery and the 2 golf batteries At 09:13 PM 12/17/98 -0800, you
wrote:

Tom,

I have 1 battery in back that is isolated for the generator, 1 up front to
start the engine, and a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries (also up front)
for the coach, and want to replace my OEM converter/charger. I'm pretty sure
I need the 40, rather than the 40+, but need to do a little more research to
know for sure. Assuming I need the 40, I'd be interested in a unit with the
led monitor.

Dave Lowry, '76 Royale, Santa Barbara

Sounds like you have it backwards because the 40 can only charge 2 battery
banks and the 40+ can charge 3 banks.
 
I would in a 40+ at Right price.

Alan Ross

> >
> >I am going to replace my 12 volt house charger in the coach and am
> >coordinating with the Statpower people on a price for a refurbished model
> >40. They have it down to $178 US so far and I think I can get lower prices
> >for multiple buys. the led remote readout is US $38 more.
> >
> >Anyone interested in one if the price is right?
> >
>
> That's a great price. Too bad I already bought one!
>
> Anyone considering updating their charger/eliminator should seriously consider this option.
>
> Henry
>
> 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
 
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