Community Forums

KarenS144 · 11-30-2014, 09:04 AM

We finally got BABS tucked into her winter digs here at home and she's plugged into regular house current with a 15amp adapter. This is the first time, we've had her plugged in to 15 amp. We've had her plugged into 30 amp by going from the 50 amp cord to a 50 to 30 amp pigtail into a 30 amp cord to the 15 amp adapter & into the a regular house outlet. Now the 30 amp cord is out & we're going from the 50 amp to pigtail to 15 amp adapter.

We were told when we were at Newmar that leaving her plugged in with the Battery Disconnect switch set to disconnect would still allow the coach batteries to remain charged. Even with the batteries disconnected, I hear what I guess is the inverter humming along. I don't know if it's because of being in the garage or if it's just louder than it normally is.

Has anyone else noticed a difference in the sound of the inverter while plugged into different amps?

If the coach is plugged in, is there an advantage to having the disconnect switch on?

Does it matter if the batteries are disconnected if we're plugged in?

Is it good practice to leave the coach plugged in all winter or would it be better to use a trickle charger or plug in & unplug for a day every week (like we could remember!)? We'll do good to remember to exercise the gen & Oasis.

The batteries were new in July & we want to keep both the batteries and the inverter happy!

Bumps · 11-30-2014, 09:10 AM

I don't know what kind of inverter (or converter, or charger) that your Newmar has, but most will hum louder when under load. My charger "hums" louder when doing a bulk charge of the batteries, for example. Not a problem -- it's just doing what it is supposed to.

I would leave the MH plugged in all winter; 15amp is not going to be a problem.

A Newmar owner is going to need to comment on how the Disconnect Switch works in your particular unit.

\ken

t55watson · 11-30-2014, 09:18 AM

The batteries are fine all winter left dormant. I snowbird out and check fluid and charge boat batteries and motorcycle battery and vehicle I leave behind just before we leave. In spring they all crank right up.

"007" · 11-30-2014, 09:35 AM

My coach is always plugged in during winter months outside in weather with the BDS on, I do not believe the batteries will be charged by your BIRD System if not left on.
Looking at this image may not make a difference:

I would take a voltage reading at your batteries to see if there is a difference of battery readings at coach & house with BDS ON OR OFF.

newmarpusher · 11-30-2014, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenS144

We finally got BABS tucked into her winter digs here at home and she's plugged into regular house current with a 15amp adapter. This is the first time, we've had her plugged in to 15 amp. We've had her plugged into 30 amp by going from the 50 amp cord to a 50 to 30 amp pigtail into a 30 amp cord to the 15 amp adapter & into the a regular house outlet. Now the 30 amp cord is out & we're going from the 50 amp to pigtail to 15 amp adapter.

We were told when we were at Newmar that leaving her plugged in with the Battery Disconnect switch set to disconnect would still allow the coach batteries to remain charged. Even with the batteries disconnected, I hear what I guess is the inverter humming along. I don't know if it's because of being in the garage or if it's just louder than it normally is.

Has anyone else noticed a difference in the sound of the inverter while plugged into different amps?

If the coach is plugged in, is there an advantage to having the disconnect switch on?

Does it matter if the batteries are disconnected if we're plugged in?

Is it good practice to leave the coach plugged in all winter or would it be better to use a trickle charger or plug in & unplug for a day every week (like we could remember!)? We'll do good to remember to exercise the gen & Oasis.

The batteries were new in July & we want to keep both the batteries and the inverter happy!

I know this won't really help you but this is only one reason why I always use AGM batteries and spec'd them out as a custom order on our 2015 Ventana 4037.

They have an extremely low self-discharge. I leave them disconnected and no power to the coach all winter. In the spring when I turn them back on, they are at EXACTLY the same charge level I left them at. They could stay a couple of years disconnected like that.

GaryKD · 11-30-2014, 10:10 AM

Hi KarenS144,
For me, I'd leave the coach connected to shore power all winter, the battery disconnect switches in the run/on position, the inverter/charger in the on position and the coach use/store switch is in the use position. If you have a water heater (the old style with a tank) consider turning it off at the coach breaker box. Make sure the engine block heater is off.

The most difficult thing an electric appliance does is turn on. The 15 AMP circuit should be fine if only the battery charger/inverter is left on. Except when traveling, my coach is always connected to shore power.

KarenS144 · 11-30-2014, 05:26 PM

Looks like plugged in with the battery disconnect off which keeps the bats on wins.

No hot water tank thank goodness! I'll turn the rest of the appliance breakers off (fridge already is). I'll have to look for the use/store switch. Is that a setting on the inverter?

We always left our gasser plugged in but we didn't have an inverter to worry about.

Thanks!

GaryKD · 11-30-2014, 05:36 PM

Hi KarenS144,
I'm surprised with the battery disconnect in the off position the batteries will charge. Guess Newmar changed how they wire the coach. Keep an eye on the chassis battery. We don't want to forget to keep it charged. The store/use switch is sometimes called the "salesman switch". It should be in a control panel near the front entry door. When placed in store mode all power to the coach is turned off. There are a few exceptions, which I do not remember. Basically is it suppose to cut the drain on the batteries to small parasite items.

FYI, my wife's name is Karen. If we ever meet, it should be easy to remember each other's names.

KarenS144 · 11-30-2014, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi KarenS144,
FYI, my wife's name is Karen. If we ever meet, it should be easy to remember each other's names.

I hope we meet up somewhere! It'd be fun to meet another Gary & Karen.

wa8yxm · 11-30-2014, 06:26 PM

Suggestion.. Get out your trusty Digital Multi-meter and connect it (set to volts) to the battery,,, You should see 13 volt PLUS.

Now, go to your car which has been sitting for at least an hour and do the same thing,, You should see 12.6

If this is the case NEWMAR gave you good info.

(The second test, on the car, was to check the meter)

Readings should be about one volt higher on the Motor home batteries if they are in float mode.

NOTE: Measure you chassis battery too,,, that one may need a Battery Teneder or Battey minder if your house batteries are disconnected, Or you can connect them and see what happens.

"007" · 11-30-2014, 11:23 PM

I would check your batteries for charging voltage using a volt meter with the BDS on or off to make sure they are always being charged either way as Gary said we both leave ours on when plugged in.
Just to make sure.