Battery charger

[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

[NH_Bulldog]

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.

[chuckster57]

I stay plugged in. Just check the water level in the cells once a month. Add DISTILLED water if it needs.

[bobbecky]

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.

[sourdough]

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?

[notanlines]

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.”

[rhagfo]

We full Time, batteries always connected, never an issue. when we have lost commercial power batteries fully charged and carried us through.

[travelin texans]

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

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.

[LHaven]

Yeah, I believe there is unanimous agreement that either what the dealer told you was total claptrap, or you didn't understand him correctly.

[MrRobalo]

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.