Community Forums

Bert B. · 11-28-2022, 11:15 PM

How long do you leave your coach plugged in? I have a few air dryers inside plugged in, so I need shore power, (that's life in the Pacific Northwest). I've selected 20 amp input to match my power source, and turned the charger function off, but is it ok to leave it plugged in for extended periods of time?

Bert B.
2008 Alpine 36' MDDS

MrMark52 · 11-29-2022, 05:47 AM

If your convertor charger is one of the newer 4 stage units, then it’s ok to leave plugged in. If it’s one of the old linear convertor/chargers (in particular Magnetek, but there are others), those will cook your battery.

wolfe10 · 11-29-2022, 05:50 AM

Yup, with a smart charger or smart inverter charger that is properly programmed, you can leave it plugged in and charger function ON forever.

Float voltage should be around 13.2 VDC. A little higher in very cold conditions.

twinboat · 11-29-2022, 06:34 AM

You should leave your charging function ON. With it off, you batteries will run down and die.
The charging section of your inverter/charger will not harm your batteries.

Old Scout · 11-29-2022, 07:45 AM

Many Alpines are plugged-in 24/7/365. Just like when you are on the road--its a good idea to check water levels in your bats while in storage, 1 or 2 times a month [depending on the type of bats you have, of course]

Bert B. · 12-04-2022, 08:59 AM

Thanks for the info, I turned off the charging function because that large solenoid that connects the house & chassis batteries kept clicking, about every 30 seconds or so. Also I could hear the water bubbling in the house batteries. They are only 5 years old, but won't hold a charge. I'm planning on replacing them before spring.

Bert B.

Old Scout · 12-04-2022, 09:16 AM

Assuming your house bats are lead/acid, 5 years is a good run for house bats--in my experience. So, they are probably due for a change, anyway--bubbling is an indicator if that. Also, assuming a 2004 or newer Alpine, the Vansco charging logic and the solar panel input can trigger threshold cycling for the large solenoid. Finally, you need to be be aware that the Xantrex 2000 inverter has a default menu setting that will hot-start the charger function anytime a shore power interruption has occurred. And the bat kill-switch doesnt isolate the inverter from the house bat bank. So, the only true way to fully isolate inverter/charger is to disconnect bat cables, and the shore power, at pedestal or inside at coach breaker box.

Jon_C · 12-04-2022, 11:58 AM

My batteries bubble when the charger decides to do an equalization charge. 4 t-105’s almost 8 years old still going strong, charger always on while not using rig. Need water every 1-2 months

Alpine36 · 12-05-2022, 10:34 AM

You might try disconnecting the battery temp sensor line at the inverter if the house batteries are overcharging. It solved our overcharge problem with the house batteries, and they only require minimal watering now. Terminal corrosion is no longer an issue either.
Batteries now float at 13.3v.
Don’t know if this applies to your situation, as I have no experience with Vansco equipped coaches.