Keeping Her Plugged In

dougrainer wrote:
1. OP did not state how level his driveway is. So, if NOT level to spec, he better not run the refer
2. Power Converters built in the past 20 to 25 years will not boil the battery/s dry in a month. But, you need to check the battery water once a month. Once they boil a little, it starts boiling more and faster.
3. What I advise is to install a simple plug in timer to the Power cord where it is plugged in. Have it set for 12 hours per day. That will keep the batteries up and you will not have to worry about overcharging or boiling. IF you have a Converter that has a separate 120 power cord, then plug the timer into that cord instead of the whole RV.
4. I NEVER get calls from customers that leave their units plugged in and they cannot get the RV started due to dead batteries. I DO get such calls from customers that do not plug in or cannot plug in due to where they store it. Doug

PS, I WOULD plug my RV in, but would check the batteries and systems twice a month

That timer sounds like a great idea!

On just about every camper we have had it was plugged in to 30amp power 24/7. The last 2 were motorhomes and always plugged in except when we were traveling or were going to be out of town for a while (non-camping).

That said I am not sure that keeping it plugged in is a real good idea. Why you might ask? On the Monaco Dynasty we had, the refrigerator caught fire while plugged in under the shed at the house. After the fire department responded and the inspector gave his opinion, he said it was electrical failure. Totaled the motorhome. I feel (felt) it safe to keep it plugged in all the time but if we replace the Monaco with something else, I don't think I will keep it on power all the time. Guess I am skittish at this point.

If you do keep it plugged in then keep a close eye on everything!!! Be careful out there.

Mine has been plugged in and stored outside beside my house since October and will remain plugged in until my first road test (May) before a camping trip in the spring. Temps here were unusually cold in December (-30C/-22F) for a long time. Then had a thaw near end December to 12C/53F and I checked the batteries. Everything was fine. All appliances inside are turned of/winterized. Another thaw coming this weekend and I'll check everything again. Have done this will all my MHs with no issues.

As for power surges (we get a lot in our rural area) my surge protector takes care of them. As for cost, I'm guessing a very few dollars a month.


My previous MH did havev an issue and would not charge the chassis batteries when plugged in and after freezing them (and replacing) I put in a Amp -l-Charge. Solved the problem.


Chris

The only times we're unplugged is while underway, occasionally boondocking, or making electrical repairs or upgrades.

Absorption cooling (RV FRIDGE) is very effective, and depending on the quality of the cooling unit very reliable and safe (leaks are not safe).

BUT.. Not very efficient. About 300-400 watts running

Compressor units are more efficient About 100-150 for an RV size running

And the new High Efficiency Compressor units 35-40 watts running.

NOTE these high effiency jobs are or were offered by both Norcold and Dometic in the standard RV size(s) and are electric (120/12v) only

I also have a Freezer (Chest type) behind me. Same technology 36 watts 13 years old.. Only problems I've had with it are in teh 12 volt supply.. It sometimes comes unplugged. so now every time I move.. I check it.

ScottG wrote:

Walaby wrote:

John&Joey wrote:
Keep an eye on the water level of the house batteries and expect to pay up to $30 more a month if the fridge is running. Other then that, people do it all the time.

Leave mine plugged in all the time, and the fridge running and don't come anywhere NEAR $30 a month more on electric. More like $10. Virtually unnoticeable change.

Mike

That's the figure we've come up with as well - about $10 a month.
Well worth it to me.

All depends on the price per kilowatt and fridge I guess. When my bill went up by a dollar a day I figured for sure it was the S&B fridge on the blink.

Got a kill-a-watt and started to check everything out to see where the problem was. Tracked it back to the MH fridge.

Our 2004 coach has been on the road about six months every year for 15 years. The other six months it is parked in our RV garage and always plugged in with the inverter on and the refrigerator off.I have a battery watering system installed but use very little water.

I would prefer to keep electrical boards hot rather than cold. A cold board will absorb moisture. Moisture is a killer of electronics.

I'll chime in to say that I keep mine plugged into 50amps in the driveway all the time during camping season when we're not actually camping, with fridge ON and usually at least the A/C fans blowing on low....if not the A/C fans, then a floor fan plugged in and blowing to keep air circulating. For me, camping season is usually March through the end of November, so 9 months out of the year she's plugged in. I'm running a single 12VDC RV/Marine battery from Auto Zone as the house battery and so far it's never failed in the past 4 years. I'll probably replace it after the end of this coming season. The other months, the pink stuff is in the lines and she's stored under a shelter. The chassis battery has a trickle charger connected so it gets a conditioning charge while not cranked and driving down the road.

1. OP did not state how level his driveway is. So, if NOT level to spec, he better not run the refer
2. Power Converters built in the past 20 to 25 years will not boil the battery/s dry in a month. But, you need to check the battery water once a month. Once they boil a little, it starts boiling more and faster.
3. What I advise is to install a simple plug in timer to the Power cord where it is plugged in. Have it set for 12 hours per day. That will keep the batteries up and you will not have to worry about overcharging or boiling. IF you have a Converter that has a separate 120 power cord, then plug the timer into that cord instead of the whole RV.
4. I NEVER get calls from customers that leave their units plugged in and they cannot get the RV started due to dead batteries. I DO get such calls from customers that do not plug in or cannot plug in due to where they store it. Doug

PS, I WOULD plug my RV in, but would check the batteries and systems twice a month