Community Forums

bulldog2655 · 11-25-2014, 12:32 PM

I am new to having a DP rig and I am storing it inside this year with electricity. I would like to leave it plugged in so the batteries can be kept fully charged. The rig is a 1999 Beaver Contessa. It has a 2000 watt inverter / charge for the house batteries and a Echo battery charger for the Chassis batteries.

Now comes the question. There are 2 battery shutoff switches in the rear compartment (Just behind the Bank of batteries), I assume one is for the house batteries and the other is for the chassis batteries. Can these switches be turned off and the batteries will still charge or do they have to be left on ?

Last year I stored outside and turned these switches off and things were fine in the spring when I turned them back on......

Any help would be appreciated.

Vickie 4369 · 11-25-2014, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldog2655

I am new to having a DP rig and I am storing it inside this year with electricity. I would like to leave it plugged in so the batteries can be kept fully charged. The rig is a 1999 Beaver Contessa. It has a 2000 watt inverter / charge for the house batteries and a Echo battery charger for the Chassis batteries.

Now comes the question. There are 2 battery shutoff switches in the rear compartment (Just behind the Bank of batteries), I assume one is for the house batteries and the other is for the chassis batteries. Can these switches be turned off and the batteries will still charge or do they have to be left on ?

Last year I stored outside and turned these switches off and things were fine in the spring when I turned them back on......

Any help would be appreciated.

My guess would be that they will not charge with the disconnects turned off.

I leave my switched on and leave mine plugged in.

I added a AMP-L-START charger between my disconnects so my converter charges all 4 batteries for house and chassis.

BFlinn181 · 11-25-2014, 02:40 PM

You should probably check to be sure, and while you're at it make sure all parts of the charging system works. Easy to do with a multimeter. First test battery voltage with everything off and the batteries have a chance to lose their surface charge, the false reading that develops as they charge. (at least a 2 hour rest) Then plug in the shore cord and take readings again. Then shut off the battery isolation switches and take third readings.

Fully charged, good 12 v batteries should read at least 12.6 v. Under charge, the voltage should go up above 13.4 v to overcome internal resistance to charge.

You could do the same readings while engine is running to verify both battery banks get charged from the alternator, and also try engine off, generator running to be sure it charges all batteries.

Later, if something malfunctions, having these readings can help isolate where the system has failed.

The only caution leaving plugged in all winter is be sure your chargers drop down to a 'float' charge level so you don't boil batteries dry. Since you stored unplugged last winter and the isolation switches actually stopped all phantom draws, (many don't) If you left it stored inside with shore power unplugged and switches off, you shouldn't cause any harm (unless a solar panel kept your charged last winter)

Cfyanes1 · 11-25-2014, 02:43 PM

Chassis batteries will not necessarily charge when plugged into electricity. A battery tender or 12v ($50) solar panel will keep a trickle charge to chassis batteries

BFlinn181 · 11-25-2014, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfyanes

Chassis batteries will not necessarily charge when plugged into electricity. A battery tender or 12v ($50) solar panel will keep a trickle charge to chassis batteries

Thus the test I suggested to see if the system is 'complete,' has been upgraded, or needs to be. In addition, a solar panel won't work with RV stored inside.