What’s your thoughts about leaving a RV plugged in to shore power when not in use. I read it not good for the house batteries.thanks for your input.

I've been doing this since 2004, with multiple RVs. We are in FL, and I leave the A/C on, set to about 78F. This keeps the temps lower inside, and removes the humidity. Both will destroy the interior of an RV.Furthermore, most RVs come with a smart charger, with multiple stages of charging. Letting the charger do its job is the best thing you can do for your batteries. Sulfation occurs when a battery is deprived of a full charge, it builds up and remains on battery plates. And a trickle charger allows the battery fluid to stratify, also causing damage if used for long periods. Batteries either need mechanical movement (i.e. in a vehicle), or periodic fast (bulk) charging to mix the fluid.I have a solar setup at home, and I've learned a lot over the years on how to extend the life of my batteries.

I leave my coach hooked to shore power anytime I have the opportunity. In practice, this is more or less anytime it is not being driven. As mentioned in the first reply, I also let the coach's battery management system do its job and have not had any issues. I have leads for tenders on the house and chassis batteries, but rarely use them as it is much easier to run out some cord and plug the whole coach in.

Years ago when converter/chargers were "dumb" it could potentially kill a battery but not true of modern equipment. It will entirely depend on what converter/charger you have.

Skipg wrote:What’s your thoughts about leaving a RV plugged in to shore power when not in use. I read it not good for the house batteries.thanks for your input.depends on your battery charger. if it's a "smart" 3-stage charger with a float mode then, sure, no issues. if the batteries are lead-acid then I'd still check the water level once a month. but if you have an older "stupid" charger (my term) that just keeps pumping and pumping a charge into the batteries then, no. that will kill your batteries. our MH has AGM batteries and a "smart" charger. other than when it's in winter storage (no elec hookup available) it's plugged in here at home 24/7. when we snowbird in AZ the MH is plugged in for 10-weeks straight. no issues.

Only thing you need to keep checking is battery fluid level. We have left ours plugged in most of the time with no ill effects.

Shore power question | Good Sam Community

time2roll
Nomad
Dec 20, 2022
Skipg wrote:
What’s your thoughts about leaving a RV plugged in to shore power when not in use. I read it not good for the house batteries.thanks for your input.
Will not hurt the battery in winter.

Otherwise post the battery voltage for best answers.
2112
Explorer II
Dec 20, 2022
I have the infamous WFCO converter that is stuck on 13.6V. Too high for long term maintenance charge. It's a battery boiler.

I have a timer that tops off the battery for 1 hour every 3 days.
cummins2014
Explorer
Dec 20, 2022
Lantley wrote:
My RV's have been plugged in 24/7/365 since 2005 with no ill effects.
The only time it is unplugged is when it's going down the road!

Same here !!!!
joebedford
Nomad II
Dec 20, 2022
I leave my TH plugged in all the time. It has a 100 amp WFCO converter with no battery ill effects. YMMV.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Dec 20, 2022
IMHO, if you are storing for more than a month, disconnect the battery.

For best life, lithium batteries should not be subject to below freezing temperatures.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Dec 21, 2022
If you have a true multistage charger, then it will take care of your batteries. That leaves out Parallax, Magnetek, and WFCO. Since getting my Progressive Dynamics, I have left the RV plugged in and charging 24/7/365. That is about 13 years now.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Dec 21, 2022
13 years on one set of batteries?
Bobbo
Explorer II
Dec 21, 2022
pianotuna wrote:
13 years on one set of batteries?

No. Batteries do age out. Two sets of batteries. But, they were not prematurely killed by the charger staying on 24/7/365. I got 8 or 9 years out of the first set. Still on the second set.
K3WE
Explorer
Dec 26, 2022
20 years ago, I cooked a set of batteries, when plugged in to the house. Thus, the rule is “factually real”

New camper with one-year plug in- batteries OK.

This is consistent with old chargers often being bad for extended use and new ones generally being ok.

Double check the model if you have concerns.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Dec 26, 2022
K3WE wrote:
20 years ago, I cooked a set of batteries, when plugged in to the house. Thus, the rule is “factually real”

New camper with one-year plug in- batteries OK.

This is consistent with old chargers often being bad for extended use and new ones generally being ok.

Double check the model if you have concerns.

I'd like to say that theory should be true, however it's astounding almost, the number and variety of cheapo converters in current production today. From battery cookers to ones that won't even charge completely. Your last words are the best advice. Find out whatcha got and act accordingly.