Hey,
I'm pretty sure my "new" 1984 13 Foot Scamp doesn't have a converter. All I can find is a breaker box with a single switch under the sink. Since I don't have a converter to charge the battery, I bought a Battery Tender Plus to charge it. I was wondering if I can charge the battery with the battery tender when using power from the battery to run lights and the water pump? We're going to be camping along the 1:1 and most sites with have hookups. I was planning on plugging the battery tender in when hooked up and charging my battery while at the camp sites. I will have to use the battery though since most of the lights and the water pump run off of 12v.
Also, just curious, Do you all take your battery off the trailer when parked at home and keep it on a battery tender or trickle charger? Or do you keep it on your trailer?
Thanks
Spencer
You might try disconnecting the battery, plugging in your scamp, then checking the voltage at the cables that were previously connected to your battery. This would tell you if there is in fact a charging circuit in your Scamp. I typically leave the battery on the trailer except when there is a period of prolonged storage, more than 3 weeks. I hope this helps. Running the tender while using the lights should not cause problems for you assuming your battery has some charge in it.
You Should not have to disconnect the battery to see if you have a charging system. Measure battery voltage with your Scamp unplugged. Plug in your Scamp and measure the voltage again. If the voltage does not go up at least one or two volts either you don't have a charging system or it is not working. The only time I remove the battery from our Scamp is for winter storage. Theft is not an issue for us but if it may be for you then removing the battery when not using it may save you some money and aggravation. Good Luck.
This is really helpful! Thanks for the info. I'm going to buy a multimeter today and test to see if I have charging power to the battery.
Spencer & Mary
Hi..i don't have much experience particularly about this thing but i want to say you must try disconnecting the battery, plugging in your scamp, then checking the voltage at the cables that were previously connected to your battery. This would tell you if there is in fact a charging circuit in your Scamp.
pcb assembly
Some battery charging systems do not like to be powered up unless a battery is connected to them. The charging system could be damaged! If you are going to try what LinnDylan suggests do it quickly. Make your measurement and unplug your Scamp. It might cause problems if you leave your Scamp plugged in with the battery disconnected. As stated above you should be able to tell if the battery is charging with the battery connected. A small voltage increase when plugged in would indicate the system is charging.