|
12-05-2018, 08:17 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: vancouver
Posts: 114
|
to leave rv pluged in or disconnect during winter
i have heard so many different stories about leaving the rv pluged in or dissconnect the batteries.
Can someone please tell me the truth on this matter.
Thanks
|
|
|
12-05-2018, 08:20 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,286
|
I leave my trailer plugged in all year. I have not had any issues. I believe the on board charge controller keeps the battery level topped off.
On a side note, the bigger problem I have is the homeless people who steal the battery off of the tongue of my trailer (it’s parked in the back yard but the tongue sticks out into the driveway). I started wrapping a chain around the box and locking it. I haven’t had a problem since I started doing that.
__________________
Mike
2017 F250 6.7 Powerstroke FX4 crew cab
2016 Hideout 24BHSWE (27 foot TT)
|
|
|
12-05-2018, 08:25 PM
|
#3
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,349
|
If you have it plugged in and use “flooded” batteries it’s fine to leave it plugged in just be sure to check the water level in the cells on a regular basis. We recommend at least once a month.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
|
|
|
12-05-2018, 08:43 PM
|
#4
|
Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,692
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Randallf
i have heard so many different stories about leaving the rv pluged in or dissconnect the batteries.
Can someone please tell me the truth on this matter.
Thanks
|
I don't know that there are any "stories", just opinions. Fact is you can leave your RV plugged in until the cows come home to charge your batteries if you have a converter that will trickle charge them. Then just check the water level periodically. I just installed a watering system on mine; no need to pull the LP tanks, pull the caps and get a flashlight. Pull out a bottle of distilled water, put the end of the hose in it, squeeze the bulb (if it will) until full and go on about your business. Not had a problem.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
|
|
|
12-05-2018, 08:45 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 2,228
|
Chuckster is absolutely correct. However, I remove our batteries to the garage and put them on a battery tender. It's cold here and with the Cougar covered plus the snow and cold it's just easier to check the water levels and generally keep an eye on things in the Garage
__________________
2017 Cougar 279RKSWE
2007.5 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins
Retirement Training Completed
I think the little voices in my head have started a chat group.
|
|
|
12-06-2018, 05:49 AM
|
#6
|
Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 3,878
|
If you have electric, use it and keep your trailer plugged in. As said, check the water level on a regular basis. Easy peasy.
__________________
Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Impact 312
2017 Silverado 3500HD SRW
|
|
|
12-09-2018, 07:34 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern Shore of MD
Posts: 133
|
When I put it away for the winter I disconnect the batterie's (by a switch I installed right next to the battery, the factory switch does not disconnect everything). I top off the water level in the batteries, then hook up my nice 4 stage battery minder (with a builtin desulfate mode), and am good to go for the winter.
|
|
|
01-11-2019, 01:22 PM
|
#8
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Floyds Knobs
Posts: 37
|
Suffice to say not all RV converters are the same and what the manufacturer put in varies from model to model. I think it is also safe to say that modern converters are much better than what was available 20 years ago. Where and how long your unit will be stored is also a consideration. Personally I prefer not to run my converter all the time and use a BatteryMINDer 2012 to keep my batteries properly charged. It is fully automatic and uses a SmarTECHnology™ microprocessor controlled charger/maintainer/desulfator to maximize the life of the battery/s.
Floyds Knobs, IN
2018 Silverado 2500HD
2018 Avalanche A320RS
|
|
|
01-12-2019, 07:45 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Lacey, WA
Posts: 503
|
Hi,... I leave mine plugged in year round.... to keep batteries charged and also power my dehumidifier that I run on a timer,... also have a small heater plugged into a temperature controlled outlet. Heater comes on automatically around 34*
__________________
Lee & Christie
1970 F250 Highboy 4x4
2013 Cougar 21RBSWE
|
|
|
01-12-2019, 09:13 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Arrey,
Posts: 2,368
|
Randallf, Howdy;
I fulltime in mine, bought it end of April 2011, except for a few times when
traveling it's been 'plugged-in' continuously. I check the water in my batteries
(2 6v golf cart type), regularly (more often when the heater is operational),
and zero problems, so far, (knock on wood).
hank
__________________
Striving for a less complicated life since 1949 ...
Home: 2008 Cougar 278 RKS
T.V.: 2004 F-250 4X4, Level III BulletProofed , Detroit Tru-Track Differential (915A550)
Dog: 2006 Border Collie (Rascal) aka Maximum fur dispersal unit. (08/04/2006 - 12/16/2017) RIP.
|
|
|
01-12-2019, 09:34 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,457
|
The only time my current trailer is unplugged from 120 is while plugged into the truck. Well except for the 3 or 4 minutes it takes to drag the power cable out and plug it into the pedestal...[emoji16]
__________________
2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|