Community Forums

Mogulite · 04-05-2022, 06:35 PM

I currently have my motorhome in a nice facility with covered parking. I pay $140 a month. A new facility is just opening up with covered parking and 20amp power. They want $240 a month.

I’m not sure what the benefits of the power are. Is it healthier for the batteries to have a constant charge? Currently I go to my storage place about 2 or 3 time a month to run the generator to charge the house batteries and I have solar to charge the chassis batteries.

Do you think it’s worth another $100 a month?

OllieGator · 04-05-2022, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mogulite

I currently have my motorhome in a nice facility with covered parking. I pay $140 a month. A new facility is just opening up with covered parking and 20amp power. They want $240 a month.

I’m not sure what the benefits of the power are. Is it healthier for the batteries to have a constant charge? Currently I go to my storage place about 2 or 3 time a month to run the generator to charge the house batteries and I have solar to charge the chassis batteries.

Do you think it’s worth another $100 a month?

Constant power means you can continuously run a residential fridge (if you have one) and/or an AC if needed. We installed 30A power at home (we are fortunate to have space to keep our coach at home) and that keeps everything running when we aren’t using it for a few weeks.

We have been able to get a ton of usage out of having constant power.

Arch Hoagland · 04-05-2022, 06:52 PM

I think for $1,200 a year I'd just disconnect the house batteries while in storage.

$1,200 will buy a lot of fuel on your next trip...probably two full tanks at the current rate....

GABob · 04-05-2022, 07:01 PM

I have a covered end spot. Use small solar panel the keep the chassis battery charged and that seems to work well. Just placed it on the passenger side window.

153stars · 04-06-2022, 03:35 AM

1200 per year would buy you all new batteries. Fully charge and disconnect main pos from each bank if no manual disconnect on each.

Winger2 · 04-06-2022, 04:54 AM

I prefer electric being available. But not $100/month, that's ridiculous. But I understand the rental place also. When I rented storage with electricity, the neighbors had their ac running 24/7, but they had 30 amp service and a 40' indoor spot for $320

lorim · 04-06-2022, 05:14 AM

Honestly, only you can answer this question. Is $100 a month worth it to you to not make trips to run the generator to top off the batteries? For me, the answer is no if only looking at storage months only, the generator supposedly needs exercised while in storage anyway (I'm in PA so we have long/cold storage seasons.. I run our generator monthly), so what are you saving if you need to make a trip to do this? If you have a short storage season maybe you could skip the battery top off and generator runs, I don't really know your situation. In the summer, I'd pay the $100 (I'm a weekend camper) my MH stays plugged in, in the driveway all the time because it's a hassle to load/unload the fridge when we're constantly using it every weekend.

thegats1 · 04-06-2022, 05:34 AM

Personally I would not pay that amount for power only. I moved mine from covered storage with power to fully enclosed with power for that amount. It is worth it to me mainly because I don't have to continually check that everything on the coach is locked up and I can keep tools etc. at the unit. But there is no way I would pay $100 just to get power. I would flip the disconnect switches then once every week or two take it for a spin and charge up. I do that anyway with mine to exercise everything. $100 extra is ridiculous IMO.

Mogulite · 04-06-2022, 08:41 AM

Thanks all. Kinda what I was thinking. Just didn’t know if I was missing something.

Persistent · 04-06-2022, 09:00 AM

"Is it healthier for the batteries to have a constant charge? Currently I go to my storage place about 2 or 3 time a month to run the generator to charge the house batteries and I have solar to charge the chassis batteries."

Storing lead acid batteries fully charged and disconnected is healthy. Storing lead acid batteries using a high quality charger or maintainer at 13.2 volts is healthy.

Always store batteries fully charged. Fully charged means 14 to 18 hours using a high quality charger like the one in your RV. Fully recharge for 10 hours before battery terminal voltage drops below 12.4 volts. Yes, it takes that long to clean the sulfate off the plates.

TFell · 04-08-2022, 11:49 AM

Very expensive. My storage place charges me $10/month for power so I do it.

wolfe10 · 04-08-2022, 12:02 PM

I agree with "probably not worth it".

BUT, that is making one assumption-- you are storing it in the desert.

Having stored our coaches as well as sail boats near the Gulf coast, shore power allowed me to keep a small house-type (30 pint) dehumidifier in the coach set to 50% humidity. No mold or mildew and no dried out wood.

If in a humid area, absolutely, $100 a month is very reasonable to keep it from smelling like-- well, like a coach closed up in a humid area.