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Old 02-28-2021, 05:08 PM   #1
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Battery Switches on or off for Storage?

I'm sure that this question has been asked here a million times, but here goes one million and one...

I have a 2001 Monaco Windsor. It is plugged into 110v for winter storage. Should my 2 battery switches be left in the on or off position for winter storage?

Thanks
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Old 02-28-2021, 05:33 PM   #2
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Turning them off , kind of negates the, 120 volt power supply , because it may result in no charge reaching the batteries .

Does your coach charge both battery banks from shore power ?
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Old 02-28-2021, 05:52 PM   #3
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I always left mine plugged in and left the switches on. Just have to make sure the 120 volt circuit stays on, if not your house batteries will deplete very quickly, and the chassis over time.
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Old 02-28-2021, 06:20 PM   #4
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I've had mine in the 'on' position all winter to 120v. I start the Motorhome about once a month and let it run for approx 30 minutes...

We just has an extremely unusual cold spell here last week. -13 one night with a high that day of 4 degrees.

Today I tried to start it and it wouldn't start with just the chassis batteries. I had to use the 'aux start' switch to combine the chassis and house batteries to get it to start.

Once In got it started, I let it run for 1 hour. Immediately after I turned it off, I tried to start it. Once again, I had to use the 'aux start'...

I hope that the Chassis batteries aren't shot.



Quote:
Originally Posted by jacwjames View Post
I always left mine plugged in and left the switches on. Just have to make sure the 120 volt circuit stays on, if not your house batteries will deplete very quickly, and the chassis over time.
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Old 02-28-2021, 08:53 PM   #5
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If plugged in I leave switches on.
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Old 03-01-2021, 08:56 AM   #6
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Batteries have a defined life, how old is your battery.

Flooded batteries have to be checked frequently to make sure the water level is high enough. If for some reason it was discharged beyond 50% it will shorten the life. The more times this happens the shorter the life.

I've had to replace my chassis battery twice, the first time in 2012, I believe it was original. The second time ~2 years later, no clue as to why it failed so quickly. Current battery is gong on 7 years old.
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Old 03-01-2021, 11:48 AM   #7
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Lead acid batteries need to be stored fully charged for long useful life. Recharge 14 to 18 hours before terminal voltage drops below 12.4 volts. Different rigs have different power system configurations. Use above rule to evaluate your system and your method of operating it.

I know 14 to 18 hours is inconveniently long. It is how all lead acid batteries work. Some can be fully recharged for storage in 10 hours, but many cannot. Use at least 14 hours for insurance.

The actual time based age of lead acid batteries is of little importance to length of life. The primary issue is how many times it has been recharged. Many get 300 to 400 full discharge/recharge cycles. They may get double that for 50% discharge/recharge cycles.

Storing for more than a couple of weeks in discharged state decreases the number of cycles available, the deeper the discharge and the longer the time, the shorter the life.

Battery University https://batteryuniversity.com/

How does the Lead Acid Battery Work? https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/...ased_batteries

Charging lead acid batteries https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/...d_acid_battery

GEL https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/...d_acid_battery

AGM https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/..._glass_mat_agm

How to Charge and When to Charge? https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/...o_charge_table

How to Store Batteries https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/...tore_batteries

Summary of Do’s and Don’ts https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/..._battery_table

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!
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Old 03-01-2021, 04:32 PM   #8
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Depends

Some coaches will still charge the batteries with the disconnect switch on and some won't. It depends on how they are wired. Just check the batteries with a multi-meter with the switch on to see what you have. If your chassis batteries are not getting charged (less than 13v) then move the switch to the other position and test again. If still not charging, you may need to add a battery tender to your chassis batteries. Some coaches aren't wired to charge both banks.

Most folks (like myself) will just leave the batteries connected when plugged in since they are getting charged anyway no worries about depleting them.
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Old 03-01-2021, 04:54 PM   #9
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Leave the switches on as long as you're connected to shore power!
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Old 03-01-2021, 08:00 PM   #10
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Hi TRCSOONER; If your 2001 Windsor is like my 2001 Windsor you do not need to have the battery disconnect switches in the on position when plugged into shore power for both sets of batteries to be changing off the inverter. Talked to a Monaco tech years ago and was surprised to find the system designed this way. This is why you have to be careful when working on the electrical system thinking if I turn the battery disconnects to off and still plugged into shore power you can have charging current going to the batteries. Use a Volt Meter to confirm if batteries are being charged. Make sure you battery maintainer has the green light on to show both sets of batteries are being charged. I should add that it is totally up to you what position to leave the battery disconnect switch's in. I have my coach plugged into shore power and I leave my battery disconnect switches in the on position.
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