Keeping trailer power on at home - Page 2

bitten · 04-28-2016, 12:41 PM

How do you store in between trips? Summertime it could get real hot in there. Watch the weather and open/close the windows? Close the blinds? Open the two windows that open out from the bottom?

Ken / Claudia · 04-28-2016, 04:03 PM

My rvs are kept at home on large driveway. Plugged into a 30 amp rv outlet. Batteries switched on a day or 2 before trip and left on several days after return. Keep all blinds closed to prevent fade of inside stuff. Open awning once awhile to dry it out. Have vent covers on vents and leave open fully year round unless snowing. Step inside when I have time to check stuff. Sometimes run heater or A/C. On warm days if I have time I open both doors to get more air thru it.

bitten · 04-28-2016, 05:00 PM

Batteries disconnected to keep from over-charging?

**JRTJH** · 04-28-2016, 05:29 PM

Your Cougar has a 3 level charger. If it is operating properly (and there is no reason to believe it won't) it will go into "trickle charge" once the battery (batteries) are charged. You won't "overcharge" them, but you should check the electrolyte level on a regular basis. I have 6 volt batteries and check mine monthly.

Mike484 · 04-29-2016, 05:16 AM

I think most people leave their RVs plugged in while in storage. At the storage facility I'm at you can look down the line of RVs and I think all of them are plugged in.

Ken / Claudia · 04-29-2016, 07:46 AM

If everything is working right the over charging of batteries while plugged in is a thing of past rvs and yes it used to happen. But, I still as said turn the battery switch on before a trip a day or so ahead, same time turn on the refer. That way if the batteries are alittle low on charge it will charge them. Leave it on after to have batteries charged up again before turning the battery switch off. I check the water level several times a year or more.

Tbos · 04-29-2016, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike484

I think most people leave their RVs plugged in while in storage. At the storage facility I'm at you can look down the line of RVs and I think all of them are plugged in.

I wish I had power when in storage.

Model A Driver · 04-29-2016, 07:10 PM

I keep mine at home but keep it on a trickle charge when not using it. When we are making it ready to roll we plug it in.

bitten · 04-29-2016, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Your Cougar has a 3 level charger. If it is operating properly (and there is no reason to believe it won't) it will go into "trickle charge" once the battery (batteries) are charged. You won't "overcharge" them, but you should check the electrolyte level on a regular basis. I have 6 volt batteries and check mine monthly.

Is there a list some place of exactly what is installed in my 28RLS? And where everything is installed?

**chuckster57** · 04-29-2016, 07:26 PM

There should be a "build sheet" that itemizes each component that was installed including brand, model and serial number. The build sheet won't say "where" it is in your unit since the build sheet is a form filled out by hand.

Some manufacturers don't supply this build sheet, and some dealers will pull them and store it in the customers file.

Festus2 · 04-29-2016, 07:31 PM

Bugbitten -
There should be a "package" of various paperwork somewhere in your TT. Included in this paper work is a "build sheet" which lists items like the microwave, stove, fridge, converter, furnace, HW heater,etc. along with the make and model number of each.

I've never seen a list of these items or any other ones that give their location. The whereabouts of most are obvious but no so on others - such as the water pump and converter to name two. Some are hidden behind one or more panels and inside cupboards.

Best to find out where they are all located so that in case of some "emergency", repairs and maintenance you will know where to find them.

Festus2 · 04-29-2016, 07:36 PM

To add what Chuck wrote ..........
The location of most of the items on the build sheet is obvious but there are some items, such as the water pump and converter which are mostly hidden from view and can be found behind one or more removable panels or tucked away in a cupboard somewhere.

Best to find them all so that in case of a needed quick repair and future maintenance you'll be able to find them quickly.

SADLY · 04-30-2016, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

If everything is working right the over charging of batteries while plugged in is a thing of past rvs and yes it used to happen. But, I still as said turn the battery switch on before a trip a day or so ahead, same time turn on the refer. That way if the batteries are alittle low on charge it will charge them. Leave it on after to have batteries charged up again before turning the battery switch off. I check the water level several times a year or more.

If your batteries are in a disconnected state and your fridge is off - only turning them on a few days before.... Then why do you plug in the RV at all while in storage?

Ken / Claudia · 04-30-2016, 08:47 AM

I could leave it unplugged but, it is not a problem or much cost to have it plugged in. If I know of another trip soon after the last I do leave the refer on. If I go want to watch TV, turn on the stereo, open awning, put slide out. They all work with the battery switch off. Bottom line by turning off the battery switch I limit the drain on it. While having it plugged in I can get into it and turn on what I need when I need it. If stored off site I might change that thinking.

denverpilot · 04-30-2016, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbos

I wish I had power when in storage.

If I had to store where there was no electrical, I'd very seriously look into at least a small solar system, a battery disconnect, and the solar charger wired directly for charging even with the rig disconnect open.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SADLY

If your batteries are in a disconnected state and your fridge is off - only turning them on a few days before.... Then why do you plug in the RV at all while in storage?

Lead-acids self-discharge in storage at a slow rate even when doing absolutely nothing. They also handle cold temps (when most of us have the units in storage off-season) better when fully charged. For most units stored only a few months, this isn't a huge deal, but can be problematic and speed battery failure once they're older and weaker.

It's a treat to be able to store our fiver at home with electrical... Well, except when I need to get it out of the "north forty" after precip that turns the ground to mud. Haha. Someday I'll build a huge barn/garage/workshop...

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