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rfreder84 · 01-30-2018, 09:57 AM

Bought a 2017 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 36H (50 Amp) Question:The place where it's parked only has 15-20 Amp service. Can I run a extension cord to the house batteries & keep them charging using my Battery Minder Plus without unhooking them?

no3putt · 01-30-2018, 10:00 AM

Yes, get an adapters that go from 50 to 30 to 120. Just use a heavy duty extension cord. Skip

TonyMac · 01-30-2018, 10:14 AM

Yep, that's what I'd do, just plug in to 20a and don't use much of anything 120vac in the rig except the inverter/converter. Do your chassis batteries charge when you're plugged into 120vac? Mine don't, just the house batteries charge off the inverter/converter which is powered by shore power or generator. So I have to attach a portable battery charger/maintainer to the 2 12vdc chassis batteries, positive to one battery, negative to the other.

John Boy · 01-30-2018, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfreder84

Bought a 2017 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 36H (50 Amp) Question:The place where it's parked only has 15-20 Amp service. Can I run a extension cord to the house batteries & keep them charging using my Battery Minder Plus without unhooking them?

Just to be clear, the suggestions are to plug your 50 amp plug in to two adapters 50/30 then 30/20, then into the outlet.

rfreder84 · 01-30-2018, 11:04 AM

When I plugged the pig tail in using the (20/30/50 adapters) it tripped the Ground Fault. Plan on just using a 110 rated extension cord to charge the house batteries. That will satisfy the property owner who told me "the adapters were not up to code?"

John Boy · 01-30-2018, 11:16 AM

They always say that. Good luck!

Sandy Swede · 01-30-2018, 11:52 AM

Heavy duty cord means minimum 12 gauge. No 14 or 16 gauge

MSHappyCampers · 01-31-2018, 04:35 PM

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Others have answered your question but wanted to say hello.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Dennis4809 · 01-31-2018, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfreder84

Bought a 2017 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 36H (50 Amp) Question:The place where it's parked only has 15-20 Amp service. Can I run a extension cord to the house batteries & keep them charging using my Battery Minder Plus without unhooking them?

Yes, you could use your Battery Minder or any other charger just like you would on any vehicle. Other posts are referring to using the inverter/charger that’s already in the mh and would be used any time you’re using the mh. There really isn’t any need to use a separate charger. Since your goal and only use is to keep the batteries charged, a 15amp outlet is sufficient. If your shore power cord is long enough, no need for an extension cord, just the appropriate adapters (which you should have with you anyway) are all that’s needed.

Good luck,

A Traveler · 01-31-2018, 10:00 PM

Our coach is plugged into a standard 20-amp house outlet 24/7 when in storage. I’ve done that for years. You can run up to 20 amps of equipment in the coach. I’ve even run one of the air conditioners when working inside. But if you run an AC, you can’t run anything else!

The batteries stay charged with the on-board charger. No extra charger needed.

Mr_D · 01-31-2018, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfreder84

When I plugged the pig tail in using the (20/30/50 adapters) it tripped the Ground Fault. Plan on just using a 110 rated extension cord to charge the house batteries. That will satisfy the property owner who told me "the adapters were not up to code?"

Due to the grounding on RV's they are not compatible with GFCI circuits. Has nothing to do with the adapters.

deaton · 02-02-2018, 08:30 PM

I would expect on your coach (2017), the inverter is rigged to charge and maintain both the house and chassis batteries. If so, you may also have a power control panel (remote for inverter) that will allow you to dial in the amperage of the circuit you are using. If so, this will help to keep the MH from pulling too much current.

twinboat · 02-03-2018, 04:41 AM

Yes, there is absolutely nothing wrong with what you propose. You can use a 14, probably even a 16 gauge extension cord to run a battery minder that will keep your stored batteries charged.

Even a 5 amp maintainer only draws a bit over 1/2 an amp @120 volts. You can run a bunch of them on a cheap extension cord.

You may want to get 2 so you can keep the start batteries up also.

You can leave all the battery cables connected while doing this.

Then the storage owner is happy and you don't have to argue or convince him that the adaptors and the 50 amp cord will work. An added benefit is that you don't have to worry about tripping the GFCI outlet.

I believe the GFCI tripping has to do with the built in voltage and surge testing the builders are using in the transfer switchs. Tough to get around that.

Tha_Rooster · 02-03-2018, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfreder84

Bought a 2017 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 36H (50 Amp) Question:The place where it's parked only has 15-20 Amp service. Can I run a extension cord to the house batteries & keep them charging using my Battery Minder Plus without unhooking them?

Yes you can use a battery minder on a regular drop cord since it only charges maybe 1-2 amps.