Community Forums

bruce91 · 12-19-2017, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ann n Gene

If you are concrete you should have plywood squares under each tire and many use tire covers to keep the sun off the tires.

My coach is outside and rather than wood i bought THIS 4 ft. x 6 ft. x 3/4 in. Thick Rubber Stall Mat from tractor supply. I bought 1 mat and cut it easily with a sheet rock knife into 2 pieces 2'x2' and 2 pieces 2'x4'. This mat uncut is heavy (approx 120lb.) and help to put into a truck bed is necessary or if no truck cut it at the store.

buddy110 · 12-19-2017, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruce91

My coach is outside and rather than wood i bought THIS 4 ft. x 6 ft. x 3/4 in. Thick Rubber Stall Mat from tractor supply. I cut it easily with a sheet rock knife into 2 pieces 2'x2' and 2 pieces 2'x4'. This mat uncut is heavy and help to put into truck bed is necessary or if no truck cut it at the store.

Why buffer the concrete with wood? Mine is on pavement. Should I also place wood under the tires?

GeezerViz · 12-19-2017, 05:38 AM

Once I retire, I hope my rig never sees snow. While I live in the Pacific NW, I don't plan on being around here in the winter. No guarantee of "no snow" because of the wacky weather lately but the odds are in my favor. When I am here in the summer, the coach will be outside, plugged into 110. Also don't understand why it is necessary to put anything under the tires.

David3811 · 12-19-2017, 06:07 AM

I don't know about your Entegra, but the parasitic draw in our Phaeton in negligible, probably from running the battery meter. I parked it a month ago and the battery was reading 12.5 volts, checked it yesterday and it's reading 12.5 volts. I agree with MRUSA14, parked inside with no power is way better than parked outside.

brobox · 12-19-2017, 06:42 AM

I am one of those that go with Marc also. Checking the batteries and running the generator every month, which needs to be done anyhow, in exchange for indoor parking with no power would be worth it. It is a lot more work keeping it washed and seal coated trying to preserve the MH from the elements. On the sale of my last coach, I made a lot of my storage fees back on the increased sales price, selling above book because of condition.

Things that people don't see, the roof, really takes a beating being exposed to the weather.

If the coach is used all the time and rarely exposed to harsh weather, then keep it home and keep it moving.

MRUSA14 · 12-19-2017, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddy110

Even with the batter cut offs utilized, there is a slight parasitic draw, no?

A true battery cutoff diconnects the coach and battery entirely, and there is no parasitic draw at all. There is such a thing as battery self-discharge that will discharge the batteries slowly. This is very minimal in the case of AGM batteries, on the order of 1 to 1.5 % of total amp hours per month, so it can be disregarded for seaonal storage. For flooded batteries self-discharge is somewhat more but as Brobox says, running the generator every month (or even two) will maintain the batteries and restore the self-discharge losses.

buddy110 · 12-19-2017, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

A true battery cutoff diconnects the coach and battery entirely, and there is no parasitic draw at all. There is such a thing as battery self-discharge that will discharge the batteries slowly. This is very minimal in the case of AGM batteries, on the order of 1 to 1.5 % of total amp hours per month, so it can be disregarded for seaonal storage. For flooded batteries self-discharge is somewhat more but as Brobox says, running the generator every month (or even two) will maintain the batteries and restore the self-discharge losses.

Good info. How would I cut off the batteries? Flip the breakers in the rear most side bay and shut the cut off switch on the drivers panel?

brobox · 12-19-2017, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddy110

Good info. How would I cut off the batteries? Flip the breakers in the rear most side bay and shut the cut off switch on the drivers panel?

One installed on each bank of batteries disconnects them completely. I believe voltdoc did a nice post on how to install them.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...f_rd_i=3398691

twolfe16 · 12-21-2017, 09:24 AM

We keep ours outside and it kills us to do it but inside storage is both distance and cost prohibitive and we can't store in at our house (HOA rules). We found a place close to home that is very reasonable and locked. They just put power in so we can plug in and stay charged. The one thing I (and Cummins) recommend is monthly starting for both the engine and generator. When possible take it for a drive to burn some fuel and DEF. This keeps things in order and keeps the seals lubricated. Keep the tanks full to minimize the possibly of bacteria in the fuel and DEF.

Victory Blue · 12-21-2017, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddy110

Good info. How would I cut off the batteries? Flip the breakers in the rear most side bay and shut the cut off switch on the drivers panel?

Yes. Assuming the 18s didn’t change turn off all the disconnects in the last bay on the door side and the house batteries will have zero load on them.

DeeGee · 12-21-2017, 07:02 PM

Speaking of those disconnects... in addition to the nice pretty column of yellow disconnects, if you pull the velcro-fastened panel that is just inboard of them, the exposed wiring cabinet contains another large yellow disconnect. Can anyone speak regarding its purpose?

Magic-carpet · 12-23-2017, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeGee

Speaking of those disconnects... in addition to the nice pretty column of yellow disconnects, if you pull the velcro-fastened panel that is just inboard of them, the exposed wiring cabinet contains another large yellow disconnect. Can anyone speak regarding its purpose?

On our 2017, I believe that is a remote 12v disconnect and it does the same thing as the 12v main switch by the door and the one on the drivers left console.