Plug in when storing?

EDM · 07-18-2018, 06:56 AM

We are picking up our first RV in a couple of weeks and we have access to an inside storage unit with a basic 110v outlet. We plan to use our rig 2-3 times per month. Should I put a trickle charger on my battery? Also, is it safe to use an adapter to plug my 50A fifth wheel into that outlet so I can turn on lights inside the trailer if I am doing some loading/unloading? What advice do you all have for me while the trailer is in storage. Thanks so much for helping a new RV'r.

**chuckster57** · 07-18-2018, 07:07 AM

If your plugged into the 15A receptacle at your storage facility you don’t need a trickle charger. Your converter will keep the battery(s) charged. No harm plugging in your 50a trailer into a 15a receptacle using the correct adaptors, just understand your limited to what you can “turn on” in the trailer. Fridge and lights are fine, NO A/C.

EDM · 07-18-2018, 07:30 AM

Thanks for the advice. Do I need to worry about a surge protector? Would you recommend me just leaving the trailer plugged in anytime it is not in use? Not sure what the best case scenario would be.

MarcS · 07-18-2018, 08:11 AM

I would invest in a good EMS unit, no matter what. I leave my TT plugged in all the time.

travelin texans · 07-18-2018, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDM

Thanks for the advice. Do I need to worry about a surge protector? Would you recommend me just leaving the trailer plugged in anytime it is not in use? Not sure what the best case scenario would be.

If you own a rv a good quality surge protector/EMS, portable or hardwired, is an absolute MUST have before you ever plug it in, regardless of where or what amp.
In your case get a 50 amp EMS with the doggone adapters to get it to 15-20 amp plug. Just FYI, DO NOT use the hockey puck looking adapters, if you by chance have one THROW IT AWAY!

Ken / Claudia · 07-31-2018, 07:51 AM

I do not know the life expectancy of a convertor. I have had 2 RVs now with the modern style which will charge the battery when needed since 2002 and leave them plugged into a 30amp shore power 24/7. Of course I check the batteries several times a year. They sit it my driveway, if in a storage lot for months between use I might remove the batteries.

**JRTJH** · 07-31-2018, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbeliera

If you plan on storing your unit for any length of time, why keep your converter on to charge your batteries. Save your expensive converter and put on a battery tender to keep your batteries up instead of letting an expensive converter run all the time. If you have 110 volts ac where you are parked use the 110 to plug in your battery tender If you have flooded batteries be sure to check the water level status in your battery cells while in storage A battery tender will monitor your batteries and keep them charged and do the same as a new model converter that has three stage charging. I am not talking about an automotive battery charger. A battery tender is different than a trickle charger like for cars. It is specifically designed to monitor and keep your batteries at full charge for a long period of time like in long term winter storage. It is not like an automotive battery charger. A battery tender will cost about $30.00 vs $250.00 converter

While your suggestion to purchase a cheaper alternative to using the converter has merit, I'm not sure it's the better choice. I'd think it is similar to saying, "buy cheap tires to run around town and save your expensive tires for longer trips"... The modern power center, whether it's from WFCO, Progressive or another manufacturer is an extremely reliable electronic device. While there have been 2 or 3 reports of converter/charger failure on this forum, most members have never had an issue with their converter/charger. Failure seems to be extremely rare. I wouldn't think that there is any need to "save the converter" by using an alternative device to keep the batteries charged.

That said, I may find that my converter stops charging tomorrow morning and I have to "eat my words in this post"... But, somehow, I doubt that will happen. In 50 years of RVing, I've never had a converter/charger failure and some of my RV's were used in excess of 10 years before being traded or sold.

I'm not criticizing your suggestion, just offering a perspective that the converter/charger in today's RV isn't that expensive and doesn't fail often enough to worry about the potential. The WFCO 55 amp converter/charger section of the 8955 power center sells on Amazon for $136.50 https://www.amazon.com/WFCO-WF-9855-...ower+converter

**sourdough** · 07-31-2018, 05:22 PM

John is spot on.

With a properly functioning modern converter and good batteries it is a waste of time IMO to disconnect things and put on battery tenders.

I've never had a converter fail either (cross fingers). If you check your batteries regularly the converter is just going to take care of the batteries without any issues. I bought 2 battery tenders to put on my batteries because I was worried about leaving them connected....wasted money. They're still sitting on the wall in the barn awaiting their 2nd use....they'll just sit.

jbeliera · 07-31-2018, 05:43 PM

That's what makes the world go around Different strokes for different folks. Sometimes lesson's learned are in the eyes of the beholder and then again some people won't believe you when you telling them it is raining outside and you are standing there dripping wet

**sourdough** · 07-31-2018, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbeliera

That's what makes the world go around Different strokes for different folks. Sometimes lesson's learned are in the eyes of the beholder and then again some people won't believe you when you telling them it is raining outside and you are standing there dripping wet

I believe you; it's just wasted time, effort and expense to try to replicate what the converter is doing. To each his own.....and I know when "it's raining", and when it's not.

jbeliera · 07-31-2018, 06:08 PM

I am comfortable in my own shoes thank you crusty bread

**sourdough** · 07-31-2018, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbeliera

I am comfortable in my own shoes thank you crusty bread

How can that be with crusty bread in your shoes??….

Ken / Claudia · 07-31-2018, 08:16 PM

If you have data that shows turning the convertor on and off xxx times per year will make it last xx years longer then just leaving it running I am willing to learn. If you are making a point that makes sense to you that's fine. But you should say so. I make opinions based only on my opinions but always say so and back it up with why. After all many forums contain a lot of opinions, opinions are good and we can agree or disagree. I don't lose any sleep over it.

sugarhillctd · 08-04-2018, 01:47 AM

Just one little thing to add here.

When your unit is at the storage facility, try to keep the power cable off the ground.

While there are other ways for rodents to get into an RV, the power cord that extends out of the "mouse hole" is an easy entrance. A cable that droops down and touches the floor is like a mouse welcome home mat.

Maybe that's why they call it a mouse hole, eh?

It has happened to us with our first RV, a truck camper. A pregnant mouse climbed the power cord and had its litter on our bed. No further details needed

lonewolftx · 08-05-2018, 08:39 AM

Our storage lot has CGFI’s at each plug in so really no need for one on the rig. It’s a 15amp one so would trip with any major incident. 2nd would recommend a hardwired in-line protector for the overall rig while traveling. I have a 50 amp one from progressive industries. IMHO.

larryflew · 08-05-2018, 10:28 AM

OK I'm not gonna say it - I'll let you guys toast yours just because Murphy is always out there ;-)

Old Mustanger · 08-05-2018, 12:15 PM

maybe I'm hard headed but I still use smart trickle chargers to keep the batteries up, this way I can turn the battery disconnects off and everything is off, including the rear observation camera and the refrigerator.

Nordicdboats · 08-05-2018, 02:14 PM

My 2018 Cougar 5th wheel was in for service, when we picked it up the batteries were dead and no power to the front jacks when plugged in. Turns out the power converter had died. The dealer replaced it under warranty but I guess anything manufactured can fail. I have been RVing for 25 plus years and never had a power converter problem before.

Javi · 08-05-2018, 02:50 PM

I pay for covered storage and electricity; reckon I'll use it...

Seriously... I've been leaving my converter with built in battery minder hooked up when in storage for a bunch of years.. well ever since they come out with converters with battery minders built-in..

Seems real redundant to turn all that stuff off and use a different battery minder...

Checked my trailer this morning... 0 amp draw on line 1, and 0 amp draw on line 2... Battery fully charged...

Phil Saran · 08-05-2018, 07:54 PM

We sold our Class A MH in April, it was 3 years old and the house batteries died after 2 years.

But (there is always a but) it was parked in a outside storage facility and here near Denver in the winter it can get down to zero.

On my new 5th wheel trailer I plan on removing the batteries and take them home and place them on battery tenders to maintain them.

I don’t know what you pay for storage, but my place is $140.00 a month for open storage and $380.00 a month for covered storage and $500.00 for a garage all are 40 feet in length.

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