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07-28-2014, 03:27 PM
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#1
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Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: mn
Posts: 86
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Battery charging
I live in Minnesota and would like to know if other snow birds leave batteries plugged in all winter or just now and then? Do you just use MH charger or an outside charger? Thanks Wrinkles 
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07-28-2014, 03:50 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,486
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I'm lucky to have the coach in my back yard and leave the coach plugged in , with the on board charger and BIRD system charging coach & chassis batteries; whenever I'm home . About once every 2 months or before trips , I check the connections, charge rate and electrolyte levels . 
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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07-28-2014, 03:56 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8,055
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Not all the time but every couple of weeks I top off both battery systems.
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07-28-2014, 04:35 PM
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#4
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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 fully charged and wet prevents sulfation and extends the battery life considerably. After learning the hard way mine are out of the coach and in the garage hooked to a BatteryMinder as I type. Optimal would be to be able to plug the MH in while stored but I do not have that arrangement so I lug them home. I store half a year and travel the other half which makes this easier. I travel during winter.
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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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07-28-2014, 05:05 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Wandering
Posts: 635
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This is my 2nd MH...in both I changed to the WFCO 3-stage converter. I leave it plugged in 24/7 inside the RV barn maintaining all the batteries all the time using the coach's BCC circuitry. BatteryMinder desulphators on both sets. No problems in years. Batteries last a VERY long time.
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2014 XLR415AMP Thunderbird ToyHauler, 2019 Sandpiper 379FLOK, F350 Lariat Diesel DRW, NRA Benefactors FullTime RV'er KN4YBP General License
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07-28-2014, 05:23 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lowell, Arkansas
Posts: 7,303
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If you think about it there's no information in your MH's owners manual that discusses how to deal with batteries in a coach that is parked sitting idle, week-end camping, extended stay camping (2-3 weeks) and full-timing.
Most current MH's have converters that will maintain the batteries under all circumstances. Many travel to a southern location and park for 6 months and are plugged the entire time. The only difference is if you are plugged in at home you are not draining current from the battery on a daily basis.
TeJay
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TeJay Auto Instructor/4-yrs USAF/ Liz: RN/ WBGO 2014 Vista 30T/ F-53/CHF/5-Star/Koni * Bella & Izzy * Golden /Cocker mix/ Louie The Cat* All Retired
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10-22-2015, 07:41 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 113
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I have one question regarding battery charging, do they still charge if the house and chassis switches are turned off?
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2002 Monaco Knight
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10-23-2015, 07:56 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8,055
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fortisi876
I have one question regarding battery charging, do they still charge if the house and chassis switches are turned off?
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Our first one did nothing with the battery off.
Our current one provides interior power but does not charge the battery unless the switch is on. These days I leave an interior light on so I know what position the relay is in since the rocker does not tell me. If the light is off when the plug is pulled I know the relay is off. I check that before plugging in when stored so I can throw the switch to turn the battery on when I plug in to charge the battery. That way I know things are working the way I want them to.
We just put in a pad so now I am thinking of adding an outside line and putting two battery minders on the unit so I do not need to play with the built in charger.
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10-23-2015, 08:16 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,486
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fortisi876
I have one question regarding battery charging, do they still charge if the house and chassis switches are turned off?
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Every manufacturer will be slightly different , but the thinking is if the coach is plugged in , there is really no reason to activate the disconnects.
Easy enough to test with a voltmeter.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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