Community Forums

csrrsr · 11-22-2015, 11:37 AM

While the MH sits in our unheated shop I plug it into 20amp service, but then I unplug after 24 hours so I don't boil out the water in the batteries over a 5 month period and I may leave it unplugged for up to a week. Fleetwood said by turning the main and coach switches off the charger turns off as well but I just feel better unplugging it to. I started doing this because in the Spring my house batteries can be down by as much as a gallon of water if I leave it plugged in all winter. I realize unplugging is over-kill.....but what do you do?

**CLIFFTALL** · 11-22-2015, 11:40 AM

I periodically check and add water when needed.

palehorse89 · 11-22-2015, 11:42 AM

Mine is plugged in 24/7 while in storage........batteries maintained at 13.5 - 13.7 VDC. You need to take a voltage meter and check the output of you converter that maintains your batteries. 13.8 is the gassing point of a wet cell battery. What type of a converter/charger do you have?

Skip426 · 11-22-2015, 11:47 AM

Down a gallon.

I'd be running checks on the out-put of your converter/charger to make sure it's ramping down to a maintenance or float charge rate. Should be in the neighborhood of 13.1v after 24 hrs. But you can check the spec's on your unit.
My coach is plugged in 360 days a year, ( about 5 nights out of the yard and parks), with 4 , 6v Trojan batteries and over the course of a year I might add a quart.

EDIT: As always other members type way faster than I do.

mel s · 11-22-2015, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csrrsr

While the MH sits in our unheated shop I plug it into 20amp service, but then I unplug after 24 hours so I don't boil out the water in the batteries over a 5 month period and I may leave it unplugged for up to a week. Fleetwood said by turning the main and coach switches off the charger turns off as well but I just feel better unplugging it to. I started doing this because in the Spring my house batteries can be down by as much as a gallon of water if I leave it plugged in all winter. I realize unplugging is over-kill.....but what do you do?

csrrsr
If you have a built in automatic 3 stage battery charger... and if the charge settings are correct... you will not lose a significant amount of electrolyte while connected to shore power.
My batteries only need a little water every 3 - 6 months and my coach sees 120VAC 24/7 for as long as 3-4 months every year.
Mel
'96 Safari , 144k miles, stored outside in Wisconsin

Rich-n-Linda · 11-22-2015, 12:56 PM

Plugged in 24/7. No issues with the batteries.

'06 Mandalay 40E

lenny-shawna · 11-22-2015, 01:07 PM

We are always plugged in.

2 Stroker · 11-22-2015, 01:25 PM

Same here, plugged in 24/7 with no issues with my batteries plus my RR frig is on all the time.
2 stroker

gemert · 11-22-2015, 01:35 PM

If you don't have an a 3 stage charger on your converter/inverter that you trust. Buy a portable one at walmart for 30 dollars and hook it up to your batteries and plug it in to the 20amp circuit.

ladagobago · 11-22-2015, 04:15 PM

as stated previously by OP. three stage charger plugged in 24-7-365. Check every six months and add about 1 qt water to four 6 volt deep cycle batteries. you might want to invest in a meter to check your charge voltage and also a new converter charger from progressive etc..

**NLOVNIT** · 11-22-2015, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifftall

I periodically check and add water when needed.

Ditto. We're plugged in all winter. The one winter we didn't check, come Spring we were at Sam's Club getting new batteries.

Had a power failure & when it came back on, it tripped the garage breaker that outlet circuit was on. Parasitic loads drained them dry & they split during the cold.

Lori-

Sweetbriar · 11-22-2015, 05:11 PM

Another plugged in 24/7 no issues. Very little water lost each year.

wa8yxm · 11-22-2015, 05:31 PM

Progressive Dynamics Intella-power 9180 with optional charge wizard.

That's what Damon installed for my converter... none better.. period.

Will it boil the water out of a pair of GC-2... Yes.. if you leave it plugged in for like a YEAR and don't check them (when new)

As they batteries age they boil faster

If you have more batteries they boil slower.

My Dekas Put in about 18 months ago) are not yet "Thirsty" but 1: They are slightly larger (10 amp hours) than the Interstates they replaced and 2: there is a bunch more battery in the system to absorbe the high current charges when they happen.

TQ60 · 11-22-2015, 05:41 PM

It only takes 0.1% capacity to maintain float on a fully charged battery.

Pick up a small battery minder or other good quality unit.

Avoid the 8 amp model as they get wonky if battery is too big.

The 1.5 amp model will work fine with one attached to each battery.

Disconnect ground from each battery and if you have a regular charger soak each battery overnight to top them off then attach the float charger and top off water.

Check water and voltage monthly or so.