I am building a new battery box for the two golf cart batteries that I just purchased. I also adding a marine battery cut off switch. My question is if I disconnect the battery once the RV is plugged in to shore power will the 12v items on the RV still work? Can I use my good portable 3-stage charger with the positive hooked to the RV and the negative disconnected?Thanks for the helpIan

Why would you want to disconnect the batteries when on shore power? Some of the on board chargers(converter) will carry the 12V systems; however, for most it is better that they see a battery. A separate charger would need both its + and - connected to the battery bank.

I have read a lot on how the onboard charger from the factory is not a 3 way charger and how it won't charge properly. I can't afford to upgrade the inverter this year so I was just going to use my 10amp battery tender to charge it when we are camping.

Yes, the 12v items will still be powered by the onboard converter while on shore power, in most cases. Some RV's will need the batteries in the circuit to power the 12v system correctly, they buffer the output of the converter's power supply. Your stand-alone charger will work with batteries disconnected by the switch if you have the charger's leads connected to the (+) and (-) terminals of the batteries. Hooking the leads into any other wires while the ground is interrupted, will not complete the circuit so no charging will take place. 12 volt side of life

Hi,Some older converters required a battery to be "in the loop" to even out the voltage.Unless the rv is going to be plugged in for several weeks I'd let the converter do it's job.

Running your RVs 12 volt electrical system with the battery disconnected IS NOT a good idea. Items like slide out motors can draw more than the circuit is able to provide.

Battery Hook-up Question | Good Sam Community

wearenh
Explorer
Feb 04, 2014
wa8yxm wrote:
...

A Progressive Industries, Intellapower 9200.. now that is one heck of a converter. From the research I have done, if you have flooded wet cells. it is #1,, A few others fall into the same quality band but none better.

Here is the 9260 for only $172 including shipping

.
OnaQuest
Explorer
Feb 04, 2014
wa8yxm wrote:

A Progressive Industries, Intellapower 9200.. now that is one heck of a converter.

The Intellapower (sic) 9200 is made by Progressive Dynamics, NOT Progressive Industries. ........It's Intellipower.
ianmac23
Explorer
Feb 04, 2014
Thanks for all the information
RoyB
Explorer II
Feb 04, 2014
This is typical 30AMP trailer wiring configuration...

AS you can see here the 12VDC Power distribution Panel is ran by both the on-board converter/charger unit and/or a battery.

If you disconnect the battery when on SHORE POWER your trailer system will still run just fine from the 12VDC power Distribution Panel that is powered by the on-board 120VAC converter/charger unit.
martipr
Explorer
Feb 04, 2014
prichardson wrote:
Why would you want to disconnect the batteries when on shore power? Some of the on board chargers(converter) will carry the 12V systems; however, for most it is better that they see a battery. A separate charger would need both its + and - connected to the battery bank.

If you have a single stage converter/charger and leave the battery connected while on shore power it will boil the battery dry quickly. Don't ask me how I know!!

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