Community Forums

R2Home · 10-27-2015, 07:35 AM

We have our MH plugged in all of the time, summer or winter. During the winter, the MH is an emergency shelter if one is needed. Diesel tank is full of #1 fuel, the propane tank is full and there is cloths/dry good in there just in case. The up side is that our MH is parked at our place, under a carport next to our shop.

AFChap · 10-27-2015, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pexring

I leave my coach plugged in all winter but with the power off at the breaker box in my house. However, once or twice a month I do click the breaker on for a day or two to give the coach batteries a charge. I also have the master 12V switch set to off so I'm not drawing any juice from the batteries. I also have a solar panel on the roof that will send a trickle charge to the batteries. Sometimes I wonder if I even need to flip the breaker on if the solar panel is doing it's job. Guess I should study that more closely

If your solar panel is the oem 10 watt, it is a good sales point but worth very little in real life. My coach batteries have a master disconnect, but not the chassis batteries. When stored in an open lot with no obstructions to sunlight, the chassis batteries would still go dead in 6 weeks or so.

soundsuperio · 10-27-2015, 05:39 PM

Question
I spoke with Newmar and they said it was ok to leave the MH plugged into 15 amp service all winter even though it will be in a locked storage unit with no access until mid-April.
Also said to leave battery disconnect and 50 amp breaker on but turn off all draws except co2 and other detectors.
What do you guys with more experience think.
I am storing it on Saturday.
Thanks

Statgeek · 10-28-2015, 11:45 AM

We can all provide our 2 cents, but Newmar's recommendations are the most relevant for your coach (and possibly your warranty). I would follow their advice.

Rich-n-Linda · 11-01-2015, 10:43 PM

Ours is plugged in 24/7 when in the barn between trips and over the winter.

2006 Mandalay 40E, Cummins ISL 400 HP

ewg1022 · 11-02-2015, 08:38 AM

How do you determine what type of charger you coach has installed? I have a 09 four winds Magellan. And I have no idea what type I have in the coach. I did have a problem with batteries that were installed in June of 14. When I checked them 2 weeks ago they were dry. So I had to purchase new ones again. Could this be a charger issues?

AFChap · 11-02-2015, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewg1022

How do you determine what type of charger you coach has installed? I have a 09 four winds Magellan. And I have no idea what type I have in the coach. I did have a problem with batteries that were installed in June of 14. When I checked them 2 weeks ago they were dry. So I had to purchase new ones again. Could this be a charger issues?

The most likely reason for new batteries to go dry so quick is over - charging, so it is likely a charging issue. Any one stage charger could do that as they put out full charge regardless of battery state. When the battery is fully charged it can over charge & boil dry. A 3 stage charger will go from full charge to medium to trickle as the battery is fully charged. Your panel would normally have some indication of what mode the charger us in. With a one stage charger, you can add a small trickle charger for storage use, or some owners put a simple timer on the outlet to turn the charger on for a short period each day or so, then back off to prevent over charging.