Battery charging with battery shut off switch off

I don't have, and have never needed, a battery disconnect. The rig is plugged in 24/7. My cautionary advice would be to visit the storage yard and check the electrolyte level every month. As you build experience with it, you might find you can go more months without checking.

I leave mine plugged in 24/7/365 except when traveling. Still on original battery 8 1/2 years later.

laknox wrote:

butchfuzion wrote:
Thanks all. I guess I should just buy a stand alone charges and mount it in there but -dang- those are pricy.

?? A Battery Tender at WalMart is about $40-50. Why not just leave the disconnect ON and plug the shore cord in?

Lyle

X2

The main reason for the Disconnect switch, is to prevent the several of the small parasitic draws from draining the battery when shore power is not available. The 20 amp will keep it charged and cover the parasitic draws.

A lot less money and hassle to just leave the switch "on" or "in use"
Fridge off, water heater off, propane off.

butchfuzion wrote:
Thanks all. I guess I should just buy a stand alone charges and mount it in there but -dang- those are pricy.

?? A Battery Tender at WalMart is about $40-50. Why not just leave the disconnect ON and plug the shore cord in?

Lyle

Thanks all. I guess I should just buy a stand alone charges and mount it in there but -dang- those are pricy.

butchfuzion wrote:
My new storage place allows me to plug in to 20a. My Fuzion has the four stage charging built into the converter. Do I have to go to the control panel and have the battery shut-off in the on position for the batteries to charge. I would like to just leave it plugged in all the time if possible. Thanks

I found out the hard way that my disconnect has to be on for the batteries to charge on shore power. YMMV. I keep mine "tended" with a solar panel direct to the batteries, now.

Lyle

But if the Battery is shut off / disconnected. Then no current can get to, or from the battery. So yes. It has to be turned on.

I suppose the answer to your question would depend upon how the system is wired.

One way to tell if the battery switch has to be in the "on" position would be to get a DC meter and check the volt reading of your battery without AC power connected and then check it with the the AC on. Then do the same test with the battery switch in the off position. You will be able to tell if the charge is getting to the battery relative to the the battery switch position.