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05-05-2014, 11:38 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 32
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Short Term Battery maintenance
Just took the MH out for the weekend to the beach and now that I know a little bit more about what is in all the cabinets. I am wondering do I plug it in and leave the house batteries left on, keep the fridge on? I figure there is lots of opinions on what to do. Short term to me is up to a month between trips until the weather stays nice then it will be used every other weekend. Thanks everyone!
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Aaron and Lisa
Piper pup and Rev the Lazy Lab
2002 National Tradewinds M370-toad 08 Jeep Wrangler
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05-05-2014, 11:42 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Phx, Arid~zona
Posts: 11,106
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Yes, leave everything on and recharge the batteries with the generator when they get to about 12 volts. If you let the batteries go below 12 volts, it takes some life out of them.
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05-06-2014, 05:30 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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I don't leave the refrigerator on. You are right, there are several threads here with differing opinions on this. I have solar power, so don't need to plug in. Before solar I would leave the coach plugged into a 120v household outlet.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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05-06-2014, 05:36 AM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Nor'easters Club Workhorse Chassis Owner iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,785
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I leave coach plugged in all the time 24/7-365 keeps batteries charged and if you do not have AGM's check the water level of batteries every month.
TECH TIPS THAT MAY HELP.
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05-06-2014, 06:32 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Federal Way, Wa.
Posts: 2,901
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Keeping your batteries charged and watered will extend their lives significantly. So no matter how you do it, it is a good idea to keep them on a charger. Suit yourself on the fridge.
__________________
I do all my own stunts
03 Dolphin LX 6355, Workhorse W22, 8.1 vortec, 04 CR-V, Blue Ox, Brake Pro----Norm, Barb and
Doc(He's a PhD)
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05-06-2014, 09:12 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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The answer depends on the converter.. I will list two:
Magnetek 6300 Do not leave plugged in for weeks at a time, DO Upgrade converter.
Progressive Dynamics Intella power 9200 line, or, 4600 or 9100 with optional charge wizard, or IOTA with IQ-4, Any Wizard or IQ-4 model.
Can be safely plugged in for months on end.. There is no upgrade from the Wizard units, and the upgrade from the IQ-4 is only for "Power users" who need to manually override the charge controller. (No manual override on IQ-4, Wizard has one,, Otherwise differences are too minor to comment).
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Home is where I park it!
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05-06-2014, 11:42 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 32
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I took a look and our MH has a WFCO 9855 Power Converter. This is the modes which looks like it is a 3 stage.
- Nominal (Absorption Mode) 13.6 Vdc (includes charging and load)
- Boost (Bulk Mode) 14.4 Vdc
- Trickle (Float Mode) 13.2 Vdc (after 48 hrs.)
__________________
Aaron and Lisa
Piper pup and Rev the Lazy Lab
2002 National Tradewinds M370-toad 08 Jeep Wrangler
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05-07-2014, 09:20 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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WFFCO, being made in China, seems to have a short MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) but the most common failure mode is "Does not charge" rather than "overcharge" (The problem with the Magnetek is it never stops charging)
So.. Leave it plugged in.
WHEN the WFFCO fails.. Go with a PDI Intella Power 9200
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Home is where I park it!
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Linear Mode
