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Old 12-05-2018, 08:17 PM   #1
Randallf
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Smile 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
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Old 12-05-2018, 08:20 PM   #2
Logan X
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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.
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Old 12-05-2018, 08:25 PM   #3
chuckster57
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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.
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Old 12-05-2018, 08:43 PM   #4
sourdough
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Randallf View Post
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.
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Old 12-05-2018, 08:45 PM   #5
Canonman
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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
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Old 12-06-2018, 05:49 AM   #6
ctbruce
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If you have electric, use it and keep your trailer plugged in. As said, check the water level on a regular basis. Easy peasy.
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Old 12-09-2018, 07:34 AM   #7
rsl
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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.
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Old 01-11-2019, 01:22 PM   #8
hguilford
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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.

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Old 01-12-2019, 07:45 AM   #9
Lee
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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*
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Old 01-12-2019, 09:13 AM   #10
hankaye
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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
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Old 01-12-2019, 09:34 AM   #11
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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]
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