Leave Unit plugged into A/C to keep battery charged?

My unit stays shore powered all the time when not in use. I do check the water in the batteries monthly though.

It really depends on what convert/charger you have.

Dumb converter always at 13.6V = No. (or if you do leave it plugged in, check water levels often).

Smart converter = yes.

We're plugged in 24-7, 365 days a year. Have been for the last 13 years

ScottG wrote:
It really depends on what convert/charger you have.

Dumb converter always at 13.6V = No. (or if you do leave it plugged in, check water levels often).

Smart converter = yes.

I have to ask what the difference is between a 'smart' and 'dumb' converter may be.

I have a 'dumb' and cheap WFCO and have never has an issue. Not to say I won't, but in 2 years, no.

Think about this? You plug in your camper when you are camping. Not uncommon to have it plugged in while camping for a couple weeks at a time, or even longer. Plug it in at home for several days in a row, or whatever. What's the difference between leaving it plugged in 2 weeks, or all the time?

I park mine at home. It's been plugged in constantly since we purchased it. The only time it's not plugged into shore power is when we are on the road traveling.

Yes, check the water level in your battery occasionally. My last camper, in 8 years, replaced the battery in year 5 of ownership. NEVER added water. It never needed it.

Current camper, bought new, 4 years of ownership now. Added water once, last Fall. Levels still good. Plugged into shore power 24x7x365.

But, we do use the camper at home an awful lot. The question is, "not" how many nights have you slept in your camper this year? The question is, How many nights have you NOT slept in it this year. Answer .... maybe 28 the entire year. (The month of February when it wasn't feasible to heat it in the winter.)

Edit:
Now, if you are not using the camper at all over the winter months, then it makes more sense to pull the battery from the trailer, shut the trailer down, take the battery off, and just keep a battery tender plug in inside your garage or somewhere out of the way.

dboliek1112 wrote:
I apologize as I know the answer's here somewhere, I just couldn't find it. I have a 2000 Winnebago Chieftain 35U Motorhome. In order to keep batteries charged during the winter, should I keep A/C power constantly on so the converter charges? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Also we just put new AGM batteries in.

I use mine all winter actually. I's my 'break room' in the shop. A place to have hot coffee and a couple microwaved pop tarts for lunch. Love those strawberry frosted ones....

Thinking about it, I'm just like you, always plugged in except when going down the road.

Since the jars are sealed it behooves you to follow the recommendations of the particular battery maker. Some converters may destroy AGM batteries.

The colder it is the lower the self discharge rate (it is already lower than flooded with AGM chemistries). I would fully charge the bank, and then disconnect the batteries. In three months I MIGHT do a refresher charge.

dboliek1112 wrote:


Also we just put new AGM batteries in.

SidecarFlip wrote:

ScottG wrote:
It really depends on what convert/charger you have.

Dumb converter always at 13.6V = No. (or if you do leave it plugged in, check water levels often).

Smart converter = yes.

I have to ask what the difference is between a 'smart' and 'dumb' converter may be.

I have a 'dumb' and cheap WFCO and have never has an issue. Not to say I won't, but in 2 years, no.

Smart charger varies voltage. Dumb charger always sits at 13.6V and will eventually boil them dry.
Lost a 1 year old battery on a dumb charger before replacing both.

Your WFCO may indeed be a smart charger - many are. Their problem is they dont go into bulk mode soemtimes.

I keep a multi stage marine charger hooked directly to the battery and have it on a timer so it just comes on for a short period each day.
bumpy