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03-02-2023, 04:11 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Blossburg
Posts: 39
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Battery charger
We never shut our batteries off when hooked to shore power. Dealer told us by not shutting them off and only have them on one week a month that they will be killed. At the end of summer we could barely close slides because they work off 12v system. Had to hook battery charger to close slides. Never bothered with them all winter and left coach hooked to shore power. Today pulled them to check and they both show 13.35/13.25 to me that’s good. Question is where is charger located in 2020 381th and would this charger charge and not charge on its own?? Sorry for the long book lol. TIA
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03-02-2023, 05:00 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Henniker
Posts: 2,183
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I don’t have a battery disconnect and am plugged into shore power from April to November unless we are traveling or boondocking. My batteries were new in 2019 and are still going strong.
Most converters are 2 or 3 stage. Bulk charge, slow charge and maintenance charge. The converter will “read” the battery state of charge and charge at the appropriate rate for the batteries. If your batteries are lead/acid and have removable caps, make sure the water level is checked and where it should be and you are good.
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03-02-2023, 06:22 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,357
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I stay plugged in. Just check the water level in the cells once a month. Add DISTILLED water if it needs.
__________________
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.
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03-02-2023, 07:05 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 2,910
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The 13.35 volts is not battery voltage but is the voltage from the converter. If you are not connected to power continuously, the batteries will go dead due to propane detector and other small connected loads. The converter should be able to maintain the batteries when always connected without doing damage. We fulltime, and except when traveling, are connected to power, and the batteries usually last at least five years. If you are not connected while the rig is not being used, install a disconnect switch on the ground cable at the batteries and that will totally isolate the batteries so they don't drain between uses.
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402 Montana
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC
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03-02-2023, 07:08 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,701
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Lead acid batteries have to be charged and the fluids have to be replenished regularly. My RV is plugged in all year round except for traveling or short periods for whatever reason. Batteries work fine. I am confused by your statement "dealer told us by not shutting them off and only have them on one week a month that they will be killed". You also stated that you never turn the batteries off when connected to shore power. Exactly what is the use and charging scenario you are using?
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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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03-03-2023, 04:30 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,335
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I, along with most, don’t understand the statement “ Dealer told us by not shutting them off and only have them on one week a month that they will be killed.”
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Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
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03-03-2023, 05:47 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,224
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We full Time, batteries always connected, never an issue. when we have lost commercial power batteries fully charged and carried us through.
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Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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03-03-2023, 07:58 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goliath-goes
We never shut our batteries off when hooked to shore power. Dealer told us by not shutting them off and only have them on one week a month that they will be killed. At the end of summer we could barely close slides because they work off 12v system. Had to hook battery charger to close slides. Never bothered with them all winter and left coach hooked to shore power. Today pulled them to check and they both show 13.35/13.25 to me that’s good. Question is where is charger located in 2020 381th and would this charger charge and not charge on its own?? Sorry for the long book lol. TIA
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The best explanation for your problem is summed up in 3 words you've stated, "the dealer said". There's a good many rv salespersons that have never spent a single night in a rv & were selling cars or mattresses last week, sounds like you got one of those.
There's no good reason you'd need to use the factory disconnect other than what someone already mentioned. When storing for extended periods either remove the batteries to your garage & connect them to a battery tender, add a real disconnect to the negative cable going to ground or just remove that negative cable from the battery.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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03-03-2023, 07:58 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,314
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Yeah, I believe there is unanimous agreement that either what the dealer told you was total claptrap, or you didn't understand him correctly.
__________________
2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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03-13-2023, 05:29 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Grant
Posts: 40
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I come from a Marine Boat Manufacturing background and there are a lot of similarities. We have only been camping in our BULLET 210 RBI for 3 years.
I have learned a lot in that time but the first thing i did is instal 2 group 27’s
As well as redo the factory wiring up front. I replaced the steel breaker with a marine breaker. Then i installed a Dual Battery Switch and a flush mount voltmeter on the same lid. I even installed a hidden switch to the front tounge jack. The volt meter is wired to the common hot so you can check the state of
The battery's at a glance as well as one above the command center so you can monitor the house battery. I learned the hard way that the onboard charger wont charge a DEAD BATTERY back to life. So thats where 100 Watts solar comes in to keep them charged while in storage yard. Our plans are to go to 2 100 amp lithium and will use a generator to recharge if needed. Simple items to add and will make trips more enjoyable. Just my 2 cents.
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Sammy Joe Quattry
4 Generations of Fishermen, 1 ROBALO
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