09-03-2012, 08:35 AM
Newell's answer is the most conservative answer and will certainly keep the starting (chassis) batteries charged. Most Newell owners do NOT drive their coaches very often. Other than race teams, most of the owners of Newells less than 4 or 5 years old that I know only use their coaches a few times a year so they sit most of the time. Because of this recommendation, Newell typically recommends that you replace your merge solenoid every year.
Based on my experience, if you are plugged into shorepower and do not have any kind of chassis (starting) battery charging device such as Trik-L-Start and are not going to be starting the coach for a number of days, I would turn the merge switch on at least for a couple of hours. The inverter/battery charger (or separate battery charger if you still have the old battery boiler) will keep the house batteries charged on shorepower but not the chassis batteries with the merge switch in the off position. I use a Trik-L-Start (highly recommend it) and virtually never use the merge switch.
When the generator is running, it is recharging the house batteries so, if you want it to recharge the chassis (starting) batteries, you would need to have the merge switch on. Remember that the alternator is taking the place of shorepower at that time so the same recommendations are relevant.
When the engine is running, the engine alternator is directly charging the chassis batteries and, as long as the merge solenoid is working properly, the house batteries will be charged also.
If you are traveling every couple of days, it should not be necessary to turn on the merge switch. If you are going to be parked for more than 3 days, turning on the merge switch for an hour of two every couple of days when the generator is running or if you are hooked to shorepower will help assure the chassis batteries stay up.
With solar panels, it depends on how they wired it up. You may or may not need to use the merge switch to keep a charge on your starting (chassis) batteries.
Based on my experience, if you are plugged into shorepower and do not have any kind of chassis (starting) battery charging device such as Trik-L-Start and are not going to be starting the coach for a number of days, I would turn the merge switch on at least for a couple of hours. The inverter/battery charger (or separate battery charger if you still have the old battery boiler) will keep the house batteries charged on shorepower but not the chassis batteries with the merge switch in the off position. I use a Trik-L-Start (highly recommend it) and virtually never use the merge switch.
When the generator is running, it is recharging the house batteries so, if you want it to recharge the chassis (starting) batteries, you would need to have the merge switch on. Remember that the alternator is taking the place of shorepower at that time so the same recommendations are relevant.
When the engine is running, the engine alternator is directly charging the chassis batteries and, as long as the merge solenoid is working properly, the house batteries will be charged also.
If you are traveling every couple of days, it should not be necessary to turn on the merge switch. If you are going to be parked for more than 3 days, turning on the merge switch for an hour of two every couple of days when the generator is running or if you are hooked to shorepower will help assure the chassis batteries stay up.
With solar panels, it depends on how they wired it up. You may or may not need to use the merge switch to keep a charge on your starting (chassis) batteries.