permanent shore power

ardbark · 10-17-2011, 01:10 PM

Up here in Utah the winters are cold, and not knowing when the next trip will be I've winterized my coach (96 HR 36' Cummins DP) and put it to bed.

So far I've left it plugged into shore power (just 110v) to keep the coolant recirc pump and block heater running, but I'm wondering if this is necesarry, or even healthy for some of the sub-systems like the batteries.

I have not disconnected either the house or chassis batteries and wonder if there is any chance of over-cooking them (or any other eletrical component) by leaving the coach plugged in all winter. There won't be any load or duty cycle on the batteries for the forseeable future.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

cheers...

Tom

GMRHost · 10-17-2011, 01:18 PM

You won't "Cook" your batteries, so leaving it plugged in is fine.
Don't forget to keep running your genset once a month, though!

sc3283 · 10-17-2011, 02:42 PM

you need to monitor water levels any time your plugged in..once a month is a good rule of thumb.

Why keep the block heater plugged in all winter? Just curious as it is most likely a 12 amp draw...that will add up daily for a whole winter

GMRHost · 10-17-2011, 03:32 PM

Mine only turns on in my diesel at under 45 degrees... How cold does it get in Logan?

ardbark · 10-17-2011, 04:29 PM

GMRHost

It gets damn cold up here. Not unusuall at all to see -5 or even -10 degree nights. By Dec it will be at or below freezing most every night and many days.

I know I could plug in the coach a day or 2 in advance and get the block warmed up enough to start, which is still an option. I was just wondering if I would be hurting anything else by leaving it plugged in 24x7.

Starting the genset monthly (assuming I can, its diesel as well) is good advice, and keeping an eye on water levels is also a good reminder.

ardbark · 10-17-2011, 04:35 PM

This is my first winter up here with a DP and I thought circulating warm-ish coolant and a trickle charge to the battpac would be better, but maybe not. Maybe it would be best to just let the ol' girl go into a deepfreeze sleep and not disturb her till spring.

Guess that's why I'm asking folks smarter than me :-)

cheers...

Our Time · 10-17-2011, 04:57 PM

When we have to spend the winter in Nebraska I just shut it down turn off the batteries and let it sit. I did have to move it in Jan at 11 below zero. I plugged it in 10 hours prior and it started right up. If you excerise the generator, be sure to put as much load on it as possible.

ardbark · 10-17-2011, 05:17 PM

thanks OURTIME, I might just let her go to sleep. As for the generator, I know my recirc runs coolant through the block and the dash heater, don't know if it catches the diesel generator or not. Might be hard getting it going at -5 :-)

Maybe somebody knows for sure? 1996 36' HR Endeavor LE CDS with Onan 8k diesel genpac (original)

cheers...
Tom

tims52ford · 10-17-2011, 05:34 PM

If your block heater is 1500 watts, just plug it in about 5 hours before you want to start your RV. the coolant temperature should be about 100 degrees.

GMRHost · 10-17-2011, 07:51 PM

If your generator sits where mine does, running the rig will warm it up; Mine's right over the exhaust~

ardbark · 10-17-2011, 08:08 PM

GMRHost
I should be so lucky. My genset sits right under the cockpit, nowhere close to anything warm. Assuming the Onan is not plumbed into the recirc pump, it might be an interesting project this winter to figure out a way to plumb it in and warm it along with the block and dash heater.

Hmmm, do 8k Onans even *have* radiators? Arghhh... more research

JBDISCOVERY · 10-17-2011, 08:37 PM

Note to all: be sure the batteries have a full charge and no drain while you "put them to bed". Batteries freeze if they do not have a full charge which will distroy them.
JB

sc3283 · 10-17-2011, 08:40 PM

Remember too that with those severe cold temps, when exercising the genny, it will take a long time to get it warmed up enough that you didn't create a moisture issue with the engine oil..

GMRHost · 10-18-2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardbark

GMRHost
I should be so lucky. My genset sits right under the cockpit, nowhere close to anything warm. Assuming the Onan is not plumbed into the recirc pump, it might be an interesting project this winter to figure out a way to plumb it in and warm it along with the block and dash heater.

Hmmm, do 8k Onans even *have* radiators? Arghhh... more research

I doubt that it does- but a twin-sized electric blanket might help, lol...