verdigre
home
New Member
Joined: 05/08/2012
View Profile
 Offline
|
Good Day,
I am new to RVing and have two questions (for now).
Is it OK to leave the RV plugged into 120 household electric between trips while parked at home to keep the fridge running?
Will this overcharge the storage battery in the RV after a period of time?
Also, the unit I purchased (previously owned 05 Winnebago) has space for two storage batteries in the house section but only one is present. Would it be a good idea to add the second battery?
Thanks for your help to a newbie.
|
ScottG
Bothell Wa.
Senior Member
Joined: 02/25/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
It really depends on what converter you have. Without that info it's impossible to say.
As for adding another battery, if you need the capacity then by all means add another.
Scott, Grace and Wesly
2003 Dodge 3500 4x4, 6 speed Cummins (lightly bombed),
2004 Forest River 25RKS many, many mods.
H0NDA eu2000i
|
mowermech
Billings, MT
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Yes, it is OK to leave the rig plugged in for long periods of time.
Check the electrolyte level in the batteries at least once a month, and top up with distilled water as needed. Use only glass or plastic tools when filling the batteries. I use a glass turkey baster to fill the batteries. The rubber bulb on it just fits the top of the gallon jug the distilled water comes in.
Think about full-timers who are plugged in for months at a time. It works for them, it will work for us. My Tioga is sitting in the driveway plugged in as I type. If I don't plug it in, the parasitic loads will kill the batteries in a week or so, even with the little solar panel "charger" on the roof!
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
|
Sandia Man
Rio Rancho, NM
Senior Member
Joined: 08/09/2008
View Profile
|
Depending on the charging capabilities of your current converter, it can and will eventually over-charge battery if it is of the single stage variety. We have ours always plugged in to shore power being stored in our backyard, and I upgraded to a multi-stage charging converter to eliminate such concerns. Adding a second battery will supply added capacity but may not be needed if you don't camp off the grid often. Although there is a gain when adding a battery at any time, paired batteries will provide better charging/discharging characteristics when matched in manufacture date and size. Happy camping in your Winnie.
|
ScottG
Bothell Wa.
Senior Member
Joined: 02/25/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Yes, I was one of those who just left it plugged in "for months at a time".
Even with keeping the electrolyte full my single stage charger destroyed two batterys in about a year.
If you have a single stage charger then you'll want to disconnect the batts. and occasionally (weekly) charge them.
|
|
|
skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
Senior Member
Joined: 12/17/2003
View Profile
|
OVER Charging is a kind of myth. It will continue to charge when the battery is fully charged (maybe just a tiny bit or maybe a lot, depending on the converter/charger installed) but simply keep the battery full of distilled water and no harm will be done. Check water level about once a month until you know how much your battery is loosing then set your checking schedule based on your findings. Remember, people do LIVE in these things 24/7/365 and I can almost guaranteed that MOST of them are plugged in all the time.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
|
ScottG
Bothell Wa.
Senior Member
Joined: 02/25/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
A myth?
The battery wants to be at 12.6 to maybe 13.2 and your forcing it to 13.6 by CHARGING it.
Yes, that's OVER charging.
|
rv2go
Fulltime (Knoxville, TN).... or someplace else
Senior Member
Joined: 12/26/2000
View Profile
|
Michael, Welcome to the forum.
If your Winnie is anything like mine or my friends, you should have no problems plugged in all the time. Just make sure you check the water level on a regular basis. If you have the Dimensions inverter/charger and have the read out panel inside the MH, you can adjust the rate of charge. I set mine at 5amps. You can even turn it off if you like and recharge as you wish. Just make sure the Batteries don't get too discharged. I would also add the second battery.
PM me if you wish.
Winnebago Journey
TN Lic. RV 2 GO
Jeep Cherokee 4x4
www.rv2go.us
I'm here #4335
Travel Photos
|
korbe
Northern California
Senior Member
Joined: 11/20/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
While parked at home between campin' trips, I disconnect my batteries and turn off the frig. No checking in on things at all.
2004 F250 SD PSD
2004 Crossroads Cruiser CF25RS
|
mlts22
Austin, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 11/15/2010
View Profile
|
If I could park my rig at my place, I'd leave it plugged in. I'd doublecheck the converter model. If it is a single stage, I'd chuck it and buy a three stage that won't boil the batteries. RV refrigerators take a good while to cool down, so might as well keep it running (preferably on propane -- there are discussions on this) so it is ready for action at anytime.
|
|
|
