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06-09-2021, 05:13 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Frisco
Posts: 11
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storage charging
While storing my TT I would disconnect the battery using the switch, so no drainage.
Will the on-board converter still maintain a full charge if plugged into 120v?
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06-09-2021, 05:25 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,326
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If your plugged into shore power AND your disconnect is the proper position, yes your battery(s) will stay charged. If you do this, be sure to check the water level in the battery(s) at least once a month.
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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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06-10-2021, 04:42 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Florissant
Posts: 700
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You are probably aware, but do not operate things like slides, awnings, (and tongue jack?) while the battery is disconnected.
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Skids
2019 Bullet 248RKS
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06-10-2021, 05:30 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Dallas, Ore
Posts: 165
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Battery Tenders
I've got pig tails installed on batteries for Battery Tenders....
I've seen some plugged into shore power for extended periods
and boil batteries out....
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2019 Alpine 3800 FK
2018 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 3.73
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06-10-2021, 05:54 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,985
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcomeaux
I've got pig tails installed on batteries for Battery Tenders....
I've seen some plugged into shore power for extended periods
and boil batteries out....
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If those trailers were equipped with WFCO converter/chargers, the power center was defective and needed to be replaced. The same thing can happen with a "Battery Tender" if it fails. The WFCO has a "Battery Tender" mode and as long as it's working properly, the charger will not "boil the battery". That said, any (and I believe all) batteries will, in low humidity/high temperature charging, evaporate a moderate amount of water from the electrolyte solution.
In short, if the WFCO is operating normally, it's doing exactly the same thing as a "Battery Tender"..... Any battery, regardless of the "source of charge maintenance" should have the electrolyte level checked frequently, otherwise a damaged battery is a potential issue.
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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06-10-2021, 06:36 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,743
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skychief12
While storing my TT I would disconnect the battery using the switch, so no drainage.
Will the on-board converter still maintain a full charge if plugged into 120v?
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As I read your question I understand it to ask if disconnecting the battery via a switch, will it still charge while plugged into shore power. The answer is no. That's like saying if I set a battery in the bed of my truck will it recharge while driving. NO connection, no charge.
So the bottom line is the battery must be connected to charge regardless of location (in storage, your driveway, or a campground, or driving). If I've misunderstood the question please let me know.
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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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06-10-2021, 08:22 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybouy
As I read your question I understand it to ask if disconnecting the battery via a switch, will it still charge while plugged into shore power. The answer is no. That's like saying if I set a battery in the bed of my truck will it recharge while driving. NO connection, no charge.
So the bottom line is the battery must be connected to charge regardless of location (in storage, your driveway, or a campground, or driving). If I've misunderstood the question please let me know.
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And if equipped with some sort of battery disconnect it must set to the "connected" position otherwise no charging.
While in storage with batteries connected in place the best option is plugged into shore power & checking water levels at least monthly topping off with distilled water.
Next best if shore power unavailable is to disconnect the negative battery cable that goes directly to ground, this totally disconnects battery power. The factory installed disconnect, if equipped does not totally disconnect all parasitic drains.
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Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
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Replacement undetermined
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06-10-2021, 08:34 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Upper Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 4,820
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I know some people use solar chargers for batteries..don’t know how safe that is unattended though..an Amazon warehouse near me had 500k worth of fire damage today from a solar panel malfunction.
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2020 Cougar 315 RLS
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06-10-2021, 08:37 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,457
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2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
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06-10-2021, 09:50 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 44
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I keep a trailer out on a property in the desert and use a small solar charger to keep the battery full while I am gone. 3 years without issue and works like a charm. always full when I get there.
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2017 Keystone Hideout 26LHSWE
2000 Aljo 21ft travel trailer
2016 F350
2011 F150
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06-10-2021, 10:10 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hxckidd
I keep a trailer out on a property in the desert and use a small solar charger to keep the battery full while I am gone. 3 years without issue and works like a charm. always full when I get there.
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While stored in Arizona I used a 3 amp solar charger with the + lead to battery #1 & the - lead to battery #2, the - cable disconnected that went to ground. This kept my batteries at 12.4 volts during storage & could operate the slides in/out once if needed, it would then recharge them back to 12.4 volts in a few days, checking water levels once a month.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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06-10-2021, 10:12 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Upper Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 4,820
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Yeah I guess the Amazon solar fire wasn’t relevant...it could have been something totally unrelated.
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2020 Cougar 315 RLS
2020 Ram 3500 6.7HO 4.10 Dually Aisin
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06-10-2021, 04:56 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Frisco
Posts: 11
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Thanks for the responses. I spent a little time today with a multimeter. I was expecting the charger to be separate from draw down systems. NOT THAT WAY. I will be adding an external charger to use when stored.
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06-10-2021, 06:15 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,218
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I guess I just don’t get this keeping a charger or battery tender on an isolated battery.
Before we started full timing I installed a disconnect switch on on the battery positive lead, and on return from a trip I would switch it to off. I could go to the 5er a month later turn the switch to on and run our two slides out and back if I needed do some work. After another month still able run slides out and in.
This single Interstate SRM27 at seven years old would run our furnace in mid 30’s temps from 8:30 pm to 7:30 am with t-stat set at 65.
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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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06-11-2021, 06:43 AM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Frisco, TX
Posts: 78
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When I store my TT, I always disconnect my battery using the switch on the tongue. The battery won’t drain. You might consider a DuraVolt Marine Solar Panel Battery Charger from Amazon @$125. In effect, it is a battery tender without having to be connected to shore power. You can use a couple of suction cups to attach to your rv and run the wires to the battery. Very easy to install and use.
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2019 Ford F-150 SuperCrew Platinum 4X4 5.0L V8
Sumosprings on truck & trailer
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Retired, 1 wife, 2 dogs
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06-11-2021, 07:32 AM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rhagfo
I guess I just don’t get this keeping a charger or battery tender on an isolated battery.
Before we started full timing I installed a disconnect switch on on the battery positive lead, and on return from a trip I would switch it to off. I could go to the 5er a month later turn the switch to on and run our two slides out and back if I needed do some work. After another month still able run slides out and in.
This single Interstate SRM27 at seven years old would run our furnace in mid 30’s temps from 8:30 pm to 7:30 am with t-stat set at 65.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BubbaShoots
When I store my TT, I always disconnect my battery using the switch on the tongue. The battery won’t drain. You might consider a DuraVolt Marine Solar Panel Battery Charger from Amazon @$125. In effect, it is a battery tender without having to be connected to shore power. You can use a couple of suction cups to attach to your rv and run the wires to the battery. Very easy to install and use.
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This is exactly what I do, and the reason I do it is because my trailer is in the desert 100% of the time without power. So I use it for 3-4 days and let it charge while I am gone for a few weeks, come back out, and it's topped off for the next few days. I always shut off power to the batteries before I leave. This way I don't have to bring the battery home to charge ever, I don't have to run my generator unless I want AC. With it suctioned inside to a window, I do not have to worry about it being stolen, and it cost like $50.
__________________
2017 Keystone Hideout 26LHSWE
2000 Aljo 21ft travel trailer
2016 F350
2011 F150
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06-11-2021, 07:33 AM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Frisco
Posts: 11
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Sorry guys but batteries do lose voltage over time. The charger simply extend the life. You can prove that to yourself wit a multimeter (if you know how to use one).
This has been an eye opening experience.
I guess in my perfect world, I had expected advice to correctly determine the answer technically. I this case a refresher on multimeter test. Fortunately there is YouTube.
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06-11-2021, 08:11 AM
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#18
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,743
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Ok, I'm confused. In post 13 you "expected the converter to be seperate" from the load? Why? The converter supplies 12 v for the loads as well as the battery replenishment. I also do not understand why you would use a separate chargers if you have 120 v available. That's what the converter is for.
In post #17 you're complaining about not getting a "technical" answer to a completely ambiquis question? Good luck on Youtube......
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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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06-11-2021, 08:48 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skychief12
While storing my TT I would disconnect the battery using the switch, so no drainage.
Will the on-board converter still maintain a full charge if plugged into 120v?
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The factory installed switch DOES NOT totally disconnect the batteries so there WILL BE drainage, totally drained in as little as a week depending on what's bypassed that switch unless you disconnect the batteries.
If you have the above mentioned switch in the "disconnected" position then NO the converter WILL NOT charge the batteries, that switch must be in the "connected" position to charge them when connected to shore power, connected to truck or running a generator.
Honestly that's about as technical as those questions could be answered!
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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