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Roadtrek Inc.
Turning on the Batteries continued
In order to extend the life of your batteries, it is best to operate them in pairs. This allows the batteries to share both the charge
(incoming current). and the load.
If you are going to run your appliances for an extended period without charging (i.e. sleeping with the air conditioner on), you can
turn on four batteries. It is best to have your battery banks full for this situation. If both banks are within 0.2-0.3 Volts there will be little current
rush between the banks when turning them on together. A large difference in V between the battery banks can lead to a rush of current from
the "full set" to the "empty set".
Should one set be empty, you should charge it before you require power from it.
There is a lower cut off 12.2 V for the battery. When it reaches this level, you will need to supply charge power to the batteries from
either the inverter (shore power) or the generator.
If the Batteries Are Depleted You Have Two Options;
Ensure all loads are turned off. Either plug into shore power & turn on the inverter or start the engine. Turn on one battery, if necessary, press
the reset button for about 3 seconds. Then turn on the second battery. It is best to charge batteries in parts.
When the vehicle is not in use, turn the batteries off. If you are storing the batteries for extended periods, charge them to between 12.8 and
13.0 V. They should be checked every 20-30 days.
In cold weather (<2C/36F), the battery management system will start the battery heaters first to warm up the batteries. Depending on the
temperature, it could be a while until the batteries are at a temperature where they can be charged.
If you have more than one EcoTrek 200, and all have been depleted, start one first, allow it to charge for 30 minutes or an hour, then bring
up the others. The current draw is the highest at the start, and this allows the charging system to keep up. Strictly speaking this is not
necessary, but it is a useful guideline.
Cold weather storage: when the vehicle is not in use, turn the batteries OFF. If you plan on storing your vehicle for an extended amount of
time, charge the batteries to about 80% capacity (13.2V) and turn then OFF. When the battery is sufficiently charged, it can be left turned
OFF for over 90 days.
To activate the internal battery heater, turn on the battery and connect via shore power or start the engine. The heaters will warm a frozen
battery in 30-45 mins depending on wind speed, location of the batteries and the temperature from which you start to heat them.
Discharge a battery helps accelerate the warming process.
