Community Forums

Tireman · 05-31-2007, 06:25 PM

Do you store hooked up leaving AC running or is it just as good to power down? Two or three months at a time.

Tireman · 05-31-2007, 06:25 PM

Do you store hooked up leaving AC running or is it just as good to power down? Two or three months at a time.

Ray,IN · 05-31-2007, 11:17 PM

Why run the A/C when the RV is unused? Every operating piece of equipment has a useful lifecycle, why use it up when the RV is vacant. Ever stay in a motel where the A/C operates 24/7? The air is musty and stale most often. When our RV is unused, we keep a dissicant type humidity absorbant inside to keep things from getting that musty smell.

hamdave · 05-31-2007, 11:23 PM

Well, I store mine in my garage and therefore am out in it a lot working on toys and such. I would get a dehumidifier and run a line to the outside somewhere and leave that on. that will take care of the smell issues.

NeilV · 05-31-2007, 11:58 PM

Here in Sunny Florida your motorhome is pretty much cooked if you don't leave the AC on at least at a maintenance setting such as 85 degrees. Headliner people make a good living on those that don't. You see them on the sales lots at reduced prices with the headliners hanging down because of this.

GaryKD · 06-01-2007, 03:05 AM

Bill,
I think you will receive answers that the answer is,,,,it depends. Taking what has been posted, consider:
1. weather during storage
2. do you enter the RV during storage
3. how is the coach stored (inside or outside)
4. is power available
5. is the RV well insulated
6. is the water system drained

Our coach is used frequently. However, during the times it is not used (maximum 6 weeks), I leave it connected to shore power. The A/C is off. The coach is well insulated and I have covered the power roof vents and the shower sky light. So far never had any problems.

E Z Livin · 06-01-2007, 03:44 AM

I agree with Gary.
I live in South Carolina and it gets pretty hot here. My RV is in the full sun.
I have a air refresher that runs 24/7.
I put the front fan on thermostat control so it will run during the heat of the day. So far, all has been well. (2years)
We use it often and when we get ready to go, I fire up the generator and both roof airs. Our trips are usually only a couple hours. This makes the coach cool when we get to the campground.

JudyandJim · 06-01-2007, 07:13 AM

We always have power to our coach when not using it. And for the short time we don't have 30 or 50amp, we run an extension cord to our Battery Minder so the engine battery stays charged. We never run the A/C when we aren't there, unless we are going to be back shortly.

That said, we don't spend much time in high heat temps. We usually leave the Phoenix area in early May and don't return until October, so we miss most of it. The few times we are here when it is hot (like this year... leaving in a week), we keep the coach plugged in, but only run the a/c when we get there. Last weekend it was 99 inside, but cooled down to 85 within an hour and would have gotten very comfy had we stuck around longer.. (short trips loading stuff getting ready for our summer travels). We don't have the humidity factor to deal with in the dry desert. The only problem we have experienced was a few weeks ago, when we had the coach at the dealer for maintenance and a new bathroom sink... they had it for 2 weeks unplugged and the outside temps got up to 100. One of the floor tiles warped a bit, but was fixed by re-gluing it.

paz · 06-02-2007, 05:06 AM

BillW1234, when you say "AC," do you mean alternating current as in 120V AC or do you mean air conditioner?

A lot of the answers to your question refer to air conditioners, but I can't see running the air when in long term storage. I am thinking you mean 120V AC. If you have a good converter or inverter that won't cook the batteries, then I feel it is a good idea to plug in to maintain battery charge (especially if you live where it's cold in the winter). If you're not sure if your converter will not cook the batteries then a trickle charger or something like the Battery Minder is a good option.