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Old 08-12-2014, 10:34 AM   #1
ocho
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Should I leave a part time RV plugged in continously?

I use my 2012 Raptor 300 MP approx., 10 times per year. I leave it plugged in at all times while not used. Here's my problem. I just recently changed a battery that was one year old. It wouldn't charge after I pulled it and put it on a traditional charger at home. It was suggest here that the plates shorted. Now after 6 weeks with a new, same type/brand battery. Now it wont hold a charge. I couldn't get my slides out to check the pantry for an upcoming trip or start the generator. Should I just leave it unplugged and remove the battery and put it on a conventional trickle charger at home? Am I getting some bad batteries? Is the OEM convertor killing this battery? How can I test if my convertor has gone awry? Thanks
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Old 08-12-2014, 10:42 AM   #2
Jim & DJ
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I leave our Montana 5er plugged in to house (50 amp)
when not on the road.
Our batteries are 2 years old now without problems as yet.
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Old 08-12-2014, 10:48 AM   #3
Ken / Claudia
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For the last 10 plus years, this rv and another. I leave plugged into a 30 amp rv plug. I turn on the red electric switch 1-2 days before using the trailer and turn it off 2-3 days after done. I leave the batteries connected and have not fried any batteries yet. I get 5 or or years. Current batteries are about 3 years old. Do you have a red kill switch. If not remove batteries.
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Old 08-12-2014, 11:07 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia View Post
For the last 10 plus years, this rv and another. I leave plugged into a 30 amp rv plug. I turn on the red electric switch 1-2 days before using the trailer and turn it off 2-3 days after done. I leave the batteries connected and have not fried any batteries yet. I get 5 or or years. Current batteries are about 3 years old. Do you have a red kill switch. If not remove batteries.
Is that the switch that cuts all 12vdc to the coach? I can check. Where is it located. Another issue might be that I have it plugged into 20 amp household power using a 25 ft. extension cord. Could that cause an issue?
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Old 08-12-2014, 11:16 AM   #5
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. Another issue might be that I have it plugged into 20 amp household power using a 25 ft. extension cord. Could that cause an issue?
Being plugged into a 20Amp household circuit shouldn't be an issue as long as you don't plan on using your A/C or try to run several high current draw items at the same time (HW tank, microwave, coffee makers, etc.)
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Old 08-12-2014, 11:22 AM   #6
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Being plugged into a 20Amp household circuit shouldn't be an issue as long as you don't plan on using your A/C or try to run several high current draw items at the same time (HW tank, microwave, coffee makers, etc.)
Its just to keep the battery charged, or at least that was my intention. I will turn the fridge on a few days before a trip and that's it.
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Old 08-12-2014, 12:38 PM   #7
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I leave my trailer plugged in. Trick is to check the water level in the batteries on a regular basis do you don't boil them dry.
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Old 08-12-2014, 02:03 PM   #8
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Always live mine plug in cold beer and can watch tv if I want. But always check on battery water. And run gen once a week.
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Old 08-12-2014, 02:14 PM   #9
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Keep a close eye on the battery water level. Hot Texas weather doesn't help.
If you have to add water, get a gallon of distilled water to keep around for all your batteries.
Some of my boat batteries are in close quarters. I get a new squeeze bottle (like a restaurant ketch-up bottle) from WalMart for adding water. Also may have to get some flexible tubing to fit over the spout of the squeeze bottle to reach some batteries. Be careful. If you let the bottle spout or tubing get wet from the battery it doesn't take much of a drip to ruin a new pair of jeans.
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Old 08-12-2014, 02:30 PM   #10
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I don't see why you would want to keep plugged into shore power continuously unless you have things drawing power all the time. It would be better to hook on a Battery Tender trickle charger continuously or plug into a timer that will charge only an hour a day. I have done it both ways and the batteries have stayed in great shape.
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Old 08-12-2014, 03:43 PM   #11
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I have a 30amp outlet at home and keep mine plugged in 7 months out of the year and have for about ten years (different rvs) with no problems. I do keep and eye on the battery water levels and add distilled water when needed. The newer voltage converters are designed to not overcharge/boil the battery.
This year I have my rig at a seasonal site and also plugged in 24/7, however I have an inline voltage regulator and surge protector installed, since I am not always there to watch it.
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Old 08-12-2014, 05:05 PM   #12
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Should I leave a part time RV plugged in continously?

Ours is plugged because on a whim we have been known to camp in our back yard.
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Old 08-12-2014, 05:54 PM   #13
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We keep ours plugged at all times on a 20 amp circuit breaker It runs the 15,000 BTU AC just fine but cannot run anything else at the same time.
I like to keep it at 85° when not in use.
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Old 08-12-2014, 06:39 PM   #14
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Keep a tricle charger plugged in year round. Never a problem. Another thing...I hope your using deep cell batteries.
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Old 08-12-2014, 07:21 PM   #15
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The newer voltage converters are designed to not overcharge/boil the battery.
This is a key point. Older and/or cheaper converters don't have a trickle charge stage and tend to overcharge, which is hard on the batteries.

If your converter doesn't have a trickle change stage, you'll need to check the electrolyte level more frequently or disconnect from the trailer wiring and use a separate trickle charger to get more life out of your battery.
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Old 08-13-2014, 07:52 AM   #16
ocho
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Thanks for all the help. When I get back ill check the water level first. If low, its overcharging therefore boiling it dry. I will also check for the 12v disconnect. If no disconnect, Ill disconnect the battery and either take it with me to put on a trickle charger at home, or leave it in the rig and plug I a trickle charger or a solar charger. Again, thanks for all the input!!
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Old 08-13-2014, 08:52 AM   #17
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This is a key point. Older and/or cheaper converters don't have a trickle charge stage and tend to overcharge, which is hard on the batteries.

If your converter doesn't have a trickle change stage, you'll need to check the electrolyte level more frequently or disconnect from the trailer wiring and use a separate trickle charger to get more life out of your battery.
So, how can I check if my converter has a trickle charge capacity?
Is it something that's printed on the converter label?
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Old 08-13-2014, 09:21 AM   #18
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So, how can I check if my converter has a trickle charge capacity?
Is it something that's printed on the converter label?
Look in the converter's manual to see if it mentions anything. You could track the make and model down online for a manual and maybe other information.
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Old 08-13-2014, 04:55 PM   #19
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I've cheched the manual. It's a WF-8955PEC and it's a 3 stages converter with one of the stages being a "Float Mode".
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Old 10-26-2021, 01:13 PM   #20
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Been doing that as well, the timer thing........
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