Community Forums

JP_RV · 02-04-2023, 02:04 PM

Hi -
I have a 2021 Bounder 33C with the original deep cycle house batteries.

MH is stored at a covered (canopy - so the solar panel is under the canopy and doesn't ever get direct sun) storage facility. I get only 2 hours of power / day on a 15 amp circuit.

I have been leaving the unit plugged in, so it gets its 2 hours of power to keep things topped off while stored.

The breaker for the fridge is in the off position and the microwave is unplugged - the only material draw when power is on is from the battery charging system.

I keep the chassis and coach battery disconnects in the normal (connected) positions.

Does this approach to keeping the batteries topped off make sense or am I causing unnecessary wear / tear on electrical components switching on / off every day?

As I only get 2 hours of power / day is there a better approach to charge and extend the life of the components / batteries?
I've asked for 24 x 7 power, even if I had to pay for it and it isn't an option.

Thanks in advance for the advice,
Jim

wolfe10 · 02-04-2023, 02:08 PM

Yes, two hours a day is plenty to keep the batteries charged-- yes, assuming you have 120 VAC charger(s) that does charge both battery banks.

In fact, that is exactly what we did many years ago with "stupid converters"-- put it on a HD timer to run 1-2 hours a day.

jacwjames · 02-04-2023, 02:18 PM

I've been playing with mine for ~3-4 months now and finally settled on having the coach plugged into a timer plugged into the 20 amp circuit. I have the times set to come on 4 hours per week, every Friday. The battery will deplete to ~95% in a week.
I have the salesman switch off and shut off the inverter but the charger still works. I leave both the house and chassis battery disconnects ON. I have a Bluesea MLACR so both batteries charge as soon as power comes on the charge starts up.

Only issue I've had is occasionally the GFCI will trip.

I can monitor the circuit by watching my point to point Wifi Extender. If the GFCI trips the extender will loose connection and one of the status light in the sticks and bricks goes out.

I also installed a Victron battery shunt monitor that has Bluetooth connectivity so anytime I'm near my garage I check it.

I did this to reduce total power consumption, over the last couple years I saw my overall power usage go up and with the increase in the power $/KW cost going up I'm doing everything I can to conserve.

Flyer15015 · 02-04-2023, 02:45 PM

When I put our baby to sleep in the barn for the 4 months of winter, I disconnect the hot lead on both the chassis and house batteries and connect a pair of battery Maintainers (trickle chargers) to a common wall timer set for 2 hours a day. Mine are Walmart 6 volt deep cycles. for the coach and WM regular lead acid for the chassis. They are coming up on 5 years old this spring and still seem to have a lot of life left in them. Been doing this for over 10 years now.

Mike in Colorado

Country Road · 02-04-2023, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP_RV

Hi -
I have a 2021 Bounder 33C with the original deep cycle house batteries.

MH is stored at a covered (canopy - so the solar panel is under the canopy and doesn't ever get direct sun) storage facility. I get only 2 hours of power / day on a 15 amp circuit.

I have been leaving the unit plugged in, so it gets its 2 hours of power to keep things topped off while stored.

The breaker for the fridge is in the off position and the microwave is unplugged - the only material draw when power is on is from the battery charging system.

I keep the chassis and coach battery disconnects in the normal (connected) positions.

Does this approach to keeping the batteries topped off make sense or am I causing unnecessary wear / tear on electrical components switching on / off every day?

As I only get 2 hours of power / day is there a better approach to charge and extend the life of the components / batteries?
I've asked for 24 x 7 power, even if I had to pay for it and it isn't an option.

Thanks in advance for the advice,
Jim

Depending on how long your coach will be in storage, I believe I would disconnect the batteries from your coach so you don’t get a parasitic draw. The batteries, if they are in good shape, will not lose much charge and putting a maintainer on each bank will keep them fully charged and ready to go.

After reading the responses, sounds as if others have already said this, and therefore, I concur.

Mark_K5LXP · 02-04-2023, 09:33 PM

The amount of power you'd get for 2 hours a day is more than enough to keep the batteries topped off. But the issue to consider is if that power is interrupted - GCFI or breaker trip, blown fuse, surge/transient damage, power cord disconnect. Once mains power is interrupted, the parasitic draws will bring your batteries down slow but sure. If you think any of this is unlikely, a search through the forum with the subject "dead battery" and you'll find plenty of instances.

My take on it is a belt and suspenders approach. Disconnect the batteries, and use some basic maintainers powered from your timed mains. This way your batteries stay at 100% and in the event there is a problem with mains power, the worst that happens is they sit disconnected.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

Mudfrog · 02-04-2023, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_K5LXP

My take on it is a belt and suspenders approach. Disconnect the batteries, and use some basic maintainers powered from your timed mains. This way your batteries stay at 100% and in the event there is a problem with mains power, the worst that happens is they sit disconnected.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

I like this approach as well. Me, I don't like the idea of powering up the onboard charger everyday as I feel that its longevity may be reduced. Stand alone battery maintainer chargers are easier and much cheaper to replace if a surge or something else does happen to come through the line.

Would 2, maybe 4 hours a week be sufficient to keep the batteries topped off? A timer that allows power through once or twice a week might be an idea. Ours is on a timer that sends power to it every Friday. Had this set up for years now and it has worked flawlessly. Batteries last a long time, the chassis went almost 10 years and I'm going on 8 years with the coach batteries now. Still running with the 20 year old OEM converter/charger too!

153stars · 02-05-2023, 05:21 AM

Does it have inverter charger, if so does it have charge only function. For some reason my Tripplite inverter will occasionally trip GFCI only in the charge only setting for that reason I first chose to use my top tier Diehard smart charger that defaulted to 2amp maintain. Also have Bluesea MTL-ACR so it keeps both sets of batts charged. When first charger died after 15 yrs I picked up Noco 10a. Without entire coach plugged in less likely to trip a GFCI imho. An inverter charger on invert has parasitic draw if it looses input 120v. But 2 hrs a day should work fine otherwise it's similar to what owners here have set up. I figure a tiny maintainer for single car batt is too small for for four golf cart batts and my pair of 8D engine start batts even if I used two split up.

Shadow5501 · 02-05-2023, 07:08 AM

Your strategy should work OK as long as you are certain there won’t be a long term interruption in the daily 2 hour power supply. As others have noted GFI outlets tend to trip and folks have found dead batteries as a result.

One other thing to check is to be certain that shore power charges the chassis battery on the Bounder. It’s not always a given on gas chassis motorhomes - one of those things that goes away at the relatively more modest price point. I know that newer Tiffins on the Ford chassis don’t maintain the chassis battery, but not familiar REV group and what they do.

CptBill · 02-05-2023, 08:29 AM

I do something a little different, like everyone I make sure everything is off and put the batt. switch in the storage position. Since the storage lot is close and the fact that I don't have a lot to do I go to the RV once a month or so and start it. Then fire up the gen. and go about turning things on and let the run for a 1/2 to 1 hour or more. I've learned over the years that letting things sit is just as bad as wearing them out and the gen. should be run for at least 1 hour every month

Persistent · 02-05-2023, 09:09 AM

Lead acid batteries must be stored fully charged for long service life. Fully charge for 14 to 18 hours before storage. Fully recharge before battery terminal voltage drops below 12.4 volts. It takes at least 10 hours to clean the sulfate off the plates for partially discharged batteries.

Monitor battery terminal voltage frequently until you know how long your storage system will stay above 12.4 volts.

2 hours per day may not be enough to fully charge even partially discharged lead acid batteries. However, if they are staying at 12.7 volts or higher, there will be no problems.

As posted above loss of shore power for a week or more can cause battery issues depending on your system. Charging 14 to 18 hours after a power loss may be necessary.

153stars · 02-06-2023, 08:31 AM

A dual bank marine charger/maintainer is also a a decent alternative. Just needs to start/default to on as power cycles daily. Check the amps often amp # is split between the pair unless listed as 5/5 or 10/10. Noco, Promariner and Guest are all get good reviews. I make sure I always carry a battery charger anyway.