[SilverStreak] Re: electrical system

["Jd Lyall" <news@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Eddie wrote:
> I power mine with a very small 12 volt Gel Cell battery placed in the 
> compartment behind the fridge and accessable thru the outside locking 
> vent. I keep it charged with a 400 milliamp little black plastic charger 
> like used on a kids game or similar device to avoid over voltage risk to 
> the voltage sensitive electronic controller. The charger is plugged in 
> to the outlet that is already there for the fridge. I did not run an 
> extra 12 volt power wire from the coach, and even though it is already 
> there, I do not use that 12 volt power for the fridge. The house power 
> sometimes exceeds the maximum voltage of 15 VDC on my digital meter, 
> varying with how charged the battery becomes with what is turned on or 
> off in the coach. I don't have a new fancy house converter and don't 
> know if the new converters really do keep the voltage under 15 vdc as 
> they claim when the batteries get fully charged. -Eddie-

Now I like this advice for 12 volt to the new fridges which require it. 
I don't have one of those new fridges. I got a cheap apartment plug in. 
Noisy.

On house DC. I don't use a 'converter' at all. The buzz box that came in 
my SS is unplugged, used only for a buss and fuse box.

I charge my battery with a little solid state 6 amp charger from a 
Marine supply place. It claims to have three charge states; a modern 
charger. With float at 13.2 or something. When I am using 12 volt in the 
trailer I run off the battery, not the charger. Right? The amp draw 
capacity of the battery is way higher than the buzz box. Why would I pay 
hundreds of dollars for a new combo charger/converter when all I need is 
a charger?

Am I wrong here? I've read the 'ample power' books and lived off 6 big 
Trojans and solar panels for house power in the mountains of haiti. Why 
would I need anything other than a smart charger?