Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Fleet | Keystone RV Models > Fifth Wheels
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 04-09-2016, 08:10 AM   #1
mets721
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Mercer County, NJ
Posts: 58
Charging

Interested in anyone's preference for keeping your unit plugged in between trips or using the disconnect? I've read a lot about pros and cons for both and that it depends on the charger for the unit (smart vs conventional charger).
__________________
JP
2016 Cougar 327RES
mets721 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2016, 09:14 AM   #2
TAZ23
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Florence WI.
Posts: 336
I leave my trailer plugged in all the time during camping season. Just make sure the battery level is up. I check mine about once a month and very seldom need to add water. Also if your battery cut off is like mine (located in the storage compartment) it will not shut off all power and you will still need to plug it in to charge it occasionally or it will go dead. During winter I take the battery out of the trailer
TAZ23 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2016, 09:15 AM   #3
hankpage
Site Team
 
hankpage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
What type of converter/charger do you have??? I don't know of a Keystone model made in the past ten years (at least) that did not come with a "smart" charger. If working properly and electrolyte levels are kept up, there should not be any problem keeping it connected to shore power. All of my trailers since 1994 have had three stage chargers and have always been plugged in. I replace batteries about every five years same as my TV and car batteries just to play it safe. Never had a problem related to battery. This is just my personal experience, others may have different tales to tell. Travel safely, Hank
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
hankpage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2016, 12:29 PM   #4
gearhead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,021
I plug mine in every 2-3 weeks. Leave it for a day or two, unless I know I'm going to work the slides. Usually pick the electrical cords up when I need to mow.
I should get a 50amp outlet near my parking spot.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
gearhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2016, 01:47 PM   #5
dcg9381
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Texarkana, TX
Posts: 1,052
Quote:
Originally Posted by mets721 View Post
I've read a lot about pros and cons for both and that it depends on the charger for the unit (smart vs conventional charger).
I think you've got it exactly right. If you've got a dumb charger, you need to limit the charging or stay on top of the battery maintenance.

You can install a battery disconnect and go for months (easily) without worrying about it.

Or not worry about it with a "smart" charger.
dcg9381 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2016, 02:49 PM   #6
mets721
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Mercer County, NJ
Posts: 58
I do not know what charger it is off hand, but it's a 2016 unit so I would assume that it has a smart charger. I will probably keep it plugged in most of the time through the season like you guys and then take the battery out and put it on a mender for the winter season.
__________________
JP
2016 Cougar 327RES
mets721 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2016, 04:27 PM   #7
silverbullet18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Villa Rica GA
Posts: 105
I disconnect my negative in between trips. Working on getting a battery disconnect till then


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________

Thomas and Becky
2016 Bullet 269RLS
2010 GMC Sierra 5.3
silverbullet18 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2016, 05:40 PM   #8
14george
Senior Member
 
14george's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 1,271
Leave mine plugged in check battery water level once every two weeks
__________________
Navy 1980-1984
14george is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2016, 06:02 AM   #9
hdxbonez
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 161
Mine stays plugged in year round, with the disconnect switch in the off position when I'm not using it. I keep a Battery Tender on it to maintain the batteries.
__________________
2013 Ram 3500 6.7 CTD
2015 Cougar 326 SRX
hdxbonez is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2016, 07:29 AM   #10
hoffbrew
Senior Member
 
hoffbrew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Commiefornia/Casper WY
Posts: 569
Mine is plugged into a 30amp at home 24/7
__________________
2010 Fleetwood Discovery 40X
2009 Hummer H3
2011 English Bulldog (Tilly)
2009 Club Car Golf Cart
2020 Ram 3500 Dually
(Reserved for new trailer)
hoffbrew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2016, 12:46 AM   #11
denverpilot
Senior Member
 
denverpilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 487
Quote:
Originally Posted by hdxbonez View Post
Mine stays plugged in year round, with the disconnect switch in the off position when I'm not using it. I keep a Battery Tender on it to maintain the batteries.


I love those things. I have four of them on various stuff.

I'll note that I had two die in about five years. I started buying the larger unit (Battery Tender Plus! Model) and we'll see, but I have one of those going on seven years flawlessly.

Built a little better. More heat sink inside and via the case itself.
__________________
Pilot for fun, Computer geek for a living, and happy 5er owner who wants more time to go play in the camper!
denverpilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2016, 02:18 AM   #12
ShuperDuty
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Leechburg, PA
Posts: 4
I keep my 2015 327RES Cougar plugged in all the time when not in storage. In fact I just put a 50 amp RV plug on the side of my garage. In my last Cougar (2004) I used an "Optima Blue Top" battery, and was thinking about putting one in my new Cougar. Does anyone know of any Pro's or Con's to using an Optima battery?
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	OPTIMA BLUE TOP.jpg
Views:	72
Size:	17.7 KB
ID:	10249  
ShuperDuty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2016, 02:20 PM   #13
jje1960
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 692
Blue Top

Quote:
Originally Posted by ShuperDuty View Post
I keep my 2015 327RES Cougar plugged in all the time when not in storage. In fact I just put a 50 amp RV plug on the side of my garage. In my last Cougar (2004) I used an "Optima Blue Top" battery, and was thinking about putting one in my new Cougar. Does anyone know of any Pro's or Con's to using an Optima battery?
Also have 18W solar panel connected to keep this all top'd up.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	100_1983.jpg
Views:	76
Size:	99.0 KB
ID:	10253   Click image for larger version

Name:	100_1947.jpg
Views:	75
Size:	99.9 KB
ID:	10254  
__________________
2011 F350 DRW 4X4
"The Beast"
2011 Cougar 325 SRX
jje1960 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.