Hello Everyone…I have a 2003 Ford F-53 RVI have questions regarding charging house & chassis batteries, How often to disconnect from shore power I usually stay hooked up to shore power for 6 months, then leave the RV in storage for the other 6 months … So after 3 years of this schedule the chassis battery died even though I was hooked up for months , and now the deep cycle batteries are leaking .. (I did replace the starting battery ) What are my options in this case to increase the longevity of both the starting and house batteries? (Since the charging system is built in) disconnect from the shore power for few minutes every day? For few hours every week? Should I remove the negative terminal from the starting battery even when hooked to shore power? If so then how often?Take into consideration that my fridge and microwave work only when connected to shore power… I do not know much about how electric systems work so that is why I ask all these details to make sure I get it right

Unplug prior to moving MHAs for batteries going dead while in storage for 6 monthsThat is NOT unusualThey are probably dropping in voltage after 2 weeks then sit dead for 5 months or more.That reduces the LIFE of the batteries

Prior to having a solar charger if the RV wasn't going to be used for longer than a month I would pull the batts and put them in the garage on a trickle charger. 6 months without a charge even if the disconnect switch is on will kill them.

Sir Traveller wrote:Hello Everyone…I have a 2003 Ford F-53 RVI have questions regarding charging house & chassis batteries, How often to disconnect from shore power I usually stay hooked up to shore power for 6 months, then leave the RV in storage for the other 6 months … So after 3 years of this schedule the chassis battery died even though I was hooked up for months , and now the deep cycle batteries are leaking .. (I did replace the starting battery ) What are my options in this case to increase the longevity of both the starting and house batteries? (Since the charging system is built in) disconnect from the shore power for few minutes every day? For few hours every week? Should I remove the negative terminal from the starting battery even when hooked to shore power? If so then how often?Take into consideration that my fridge and microwave work only when connected to shore powerI do not know much about how electric systems work so that is why I ask all these details to make sure I get it rightIf in storage, why do you need the Fridge or microwave to work??

Install a couple of solar panels.

I'd disconnect the chassis battery if the MH is not being driven for 6 months at a time. Disconnect the house batteries when the MH is in storage. The house batteries need to be checked for water levels frequently when not disconnected.

How often to disconnect from shore power | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

mfinnerty
Explorer
Feb 05, 2021
I'd disconnect the chassis battery if the MH is not being driven for 6 months at a time. Disconnect the house batteries when the MH is in storage. The house batteries need to be checked for water levels frequently when not disconnected.
jdc1
Explorer II
Feb 05, 2021
Install a couple of solar panels.
bukhrn
Explorer III
Feb 05, 2021
Sir Traveller wrote:
Hello Everyone…

I have a 2003 Ford F-53 RV

I have questions regarding charging house & chassis batteries, How often to disconnect from shore power

I usually stay hooked up to shore power for 6 months, then leave the RV in storage for the other 6 months … So after 3 years of this schedule the chassis battery died even though I was hooked up for months , and now the deep cycle batteries are leaking .. (I did replace the starting battery )

What are my options in this case to increase the longevity of both the starting and house batteries? (Since the charging system is built in) disconnect from the shore power for few minutes every day? For few hours every week? Should I remove the negative terminal from the starting battery even when hooked to shore power? If so then how often?
Take into consideration that my fridge and microwave work only when connected to shore powerI do not know much about how electric systems work so that is why I ask all these details to make sure I get it right
If in storage, why do you need the Fridge or microwave to work??
way2roll
Navigator III
Feb 05, 2021
Prior to having a solar charger if the RV wasn't going to be used for longer than a month I would pull the batts and put them in the garage on a trickle charger. 6 months without a charge even if the disconnect switch is on will kill them.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 05, 2021
Unplug prior to moving MH

As for batteries going dead while in storage for 6 months
That is NOT unusual
They are probably dropping in voltage after 2 weeks then sit dead for 5 months or more.
That reduces the LIFE of the batteries

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How often to disconnect from shore power

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