1973 Brave - understanding the 3 battery layout and is there a "better way" to wire them up ?

[Art]

 

So I finally found the 1973 Brave that I was hunting for.  She (Penny) is the exact year, layout and such that I was looking for.  All runs great, drove it 10 hours back to Canada, and other than a nagging tranny leak and some messed up coach batteries, I am pretty happy with her.

As mentioned before I have never owned an RV so currently learning everything as I go along.

I winterized the RV this week and wanted to store the batteries inside for the winter (even though I think the coach batteries are fubar), so I removed all 3, documented all the cabling and have been attempting to charge all 3 batteries before storing them (and will charge them a couple times over the winter).

So as I am learning, I constantly come across conflicting details.  Right now it is to do with the batteries.  All 3 are 3 years old, all the same make and model, Interstate Marine/RV deep cycle.  From what I have read, that is good news as they should all be the same age and model. 

First conflict - should they be charged under 2A or 10A ?  My charger has both conventional and deep cycle settings.  I am leaning towards 10A on the deep cycle setting based on what I have read.  Apparently 2A is not truly a trickle charge which is different than what I thought.

Next conflict is with the wiring / connection of multiple batteries.  Seems that the old way of connecting them is no longer viewed as the correct way since one battery takes the brunt of the load / usage.  Here is a link that explains the "better way" - diagram 5 is the best for a 3 battery set-up.

https://www.fmcmagazine.com/images/stories/pdf/battery_balance_jan2...

For added details - here is the battery schematic of the 1973 Brave.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll120/BaileyDave/Winnebago/Start...

So my questions are:

- is the Brave current battery wiring really a 3 battery set-up, the Both / MOM settings with a isolation relay may be negating that ability ?

- if it is a 3 battery set-up, what changes to the current wiring would I need to make to more effectively match that of the Gary Bunzer article from the link above ?

I am hoping someone else within this group has come across similar concerns.

Any help you folks can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks...Art

[T.J.]

Awwhahahahaha Heheheheh now that's funny. Many years ago Lauren and I picked up a 1972 in Dansville New York. We were looking for a 318 at the time. So we bought it and drove it home. I laugh because we had a similar experience coming home around the same time of year. Seems Walmart likes to clean there parking lots after midnight. Not all the time but it is funny. Lesson number one. Pick up a Buddy Heater when you get a chance. He will be your best friend when your furnace goes out on you over night. Well sounds like the adventures are beginning. If we can help at all we have several Classic guys around here. I'm trying to figure out how to link all you guys up so when one or other sends and e-mail all the guys can get it at the same time.

[T.J.]

Oh! did you get that drop box message I sent? Lot's of information there for you.

[Art]

I can get the link but can't seem to do anything with it as it gives me a file too big error - will need to play with it a bit.

Surprised and glad you guys are all here in Ontario and close by.  Most of the old Winnebagos were in the USA - North West, California and Ohio=ish.  In Canada they all seem to be in Alberta. 

Seems they are all liars in the West - both Canada and the USA - lol - lots of stories from my search for the ultimate Brave.

Super windy here - just got back from checking on Penny - tarp is staying in place so far, hate that its outside but could find no empty barns in this neck of the woods.

[SLEETH]

im still trying to figure out how this site works?

let alone a group e-mail