Community Forums

HappyCook · 02-16-2025, 10:26 AM

We just bought a 2016 AB 45OP new to us and will be storing it in a covered site plugged into 15 amps. What are the proper set up procedures to store the coach? For example, should both the chassis and house batteries be disconnected using the battery disconnects? Changes needed for the inverter? Jacks down? Other ideas?

bentjm · 02-16-2025, 10:49 AM

How long are you talking about storing it?

The EMS should recognize that it is plugged into 15a and should react accordingly. No need to disconnect or change anything from an electric perspective.

Soppy · 02-16-2025, 10:55 AM

The safest way is to fully charge the batteries , then disconnect them. That will prevent accidental discharging in the event of a power or equipment failure.The batteries will be good for 6 months in storage. If storing in freezing temps , make sure the motorhome is winterized.
There is no need to have the motorhome connected to shore power.

Warhorse6 · 02-16-2025, 10:57 AM

Ditto bentjm, but I would not leave any ac or heat turned on. Depending on where you’re storing, might consider cracking your roof vents just a bit. Would also ensure you have some water in both black and gray water tanks to minimize solid formations. Congrats on your purchase.

garykk · 02-16-2025, 11:53 AM

On your year coach, turning off the battery disconnects does it remove the inverter from the equation. To completely shut down your coach you must also disconnect the house batteries as the inverter is connected directly to the house batteries. Not doing so while not plugged in will kill the house batteries in a short time.
If you leave it plugged in to 15 amp service, leave both sets of batteries connected to charge them.
You might have to set your magnum panel to 15 amp as well.
Also as mentioned, if the coach is to be stored in freezing weather, you’ll have to winterize it.

HappyCook · 02-16-2025, 07:55 PM

We would likely only leave the coach in storage for 2 to 3 weeks at most before taking it on a trip. There should be no need to winterize though we know how that is done if necessary. Really looking for steps to short term store the coach with only 15 amps available. It would be nice to keep the refrigerator turned on. Is that possible with only 15 amps? How to set the magnum for 15 amps?

bentjm · 02-17-2025, 05:17 AM

The EMS should automatically recognize it as 15 amps. Some of the older ones i have seen will recognize it as 20 amps. So, you might have to check.

The biggest problem that you might have is if the circuit you plug it into is GFCI. Some coaches do not play well with GFCI circuits and will trip them.

Shawn Cole · 02-17-2025, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyCook

We just bought a 2016 AB 45OP new to us and will be storing it in a covered site plugged into 15 amps. What are the proper set up procedures to store the coach? For example, should both the chassis and house batteries be disconnected using the battery disconnects? Changes needed for the inverter? Jacks down? Other ideas?

Our technical support can help you answer a lot of your questions about storage. Please give our team a call with your VIN handy and we will help you with your inquiries.

SafariBen · 02-17-2025, 07:32 AM

Leave it plugged in, and batteries ON to keep them charged. The fridge will draw 1 amp running, maybe 5A defrosting, so running the fridge will be fine. A medium size dehumidifier is a good idea for most, in the SW you might not even know what that is! Just don't use a swamp cooler in it!

HappyCook · 02-17-2025, 09:31 AM

My understanding is that if the inverter is left on, it could draw up to 30 amps. So, with only 15 amps available, we need to turn off the inverter. Assuming the chassis and house battery disconnects are left open (i.e., not turned off), how will the batteries charge and the refrigerator still operate with the inverter turned off?

garykk · 02-17-2025, 10:06 AM

Depends on your setup. On our bus which has the Spyder panel, I can turn off the inverter for the house side but leave the charging function on.
That way of we lose power, the inverter will not kick on and kill the batteries.
The downfall of doing this is that the refrigerator will not be powered if you lose power.

SafariBen · 02-17-2025, 02:01 PM

How is the inverter going to draw 30A? The charger could draw that if the batteries are low, so make sure they're over half before plugging in, and watch until the charging current drops.

hastemaker · 02-17-2025, 03:06 PM

Using a battery tender on all battery's is a good idea for storage.

Larrikin · 02-26-2025, 07:11 AM

How reliable is the 15 amp source? Is it on a GFI protected circuit? They fail. Be sure to set a schedule to check on the battery status while stored.

Turn OFF inverter, keep charger function ON.

Turn OFF refrigerator if not using it.

Keep chassis battery trickle charger ON. Check it. If available I would plug this into a separate power source. A long extension cord will suffice, these don't pull much power.

Good to go!