Recharge Time on Converter

Appreciate the answers. My battery switch is faulty, needs replacing. It doesn't shut power off in either position.

I don't leave it plugged in because in the winter I like to leave the tractor's heater plugged in. Both it and the TT are on the same circuit down at the barns and stalls. But the switch on the side of the garage is nearby, so I leave it off until I want to warm up the tractor for snow plowing. Saves a long 75 yard walk through the snow just to plug it in every time I need to. Gettin' old and lazy.

Modern RV's can leave the charger plugged in all the time, and it will not overcharge the battery.

Older RV's such as from the 80's or 70's had "Converters" that where not electronically controlled output, and it could be charging at anything from 12.0 to 15.5 volts - much dependent on the input voltage. You do not have that type of converter.

If your charged battery voltage is between 12.8 and 13.8 volts, you will not boil off an excess amount of water, and the voltage is fine for long term leaving it plugged in. Even if on the higher side of 13.5, just add some water every 2 months, and it will be fine.

Allowing the CO meter to discharge the battery to far while not plugged in is a sure way to freeze it, and that will destroy the battery. Leaving it plugged in will not damage anything. If you leave the refrigerator on electric, it can cost you upwards of $35 a month, but just the battery charger working will be insignificant $2 or so on your electric bill.

Good luck,

Fred.

Your recipe had worked for years. Just a question: Why change? It's forever on, shore power not a genset chugging away.

It's not clear but if you have a battery disconnect switch on your TT.

48 hours will get the batteries up to full charge (mine take 24 hours based on the voltmeter). Then I disconnect the batteries as there are always parasitic draws even when the TT is not being used.

Otherwise, as others have suggested, you can leave it plugged into the shore power all the time and the converter will keep the batteries at full charge.

That 48 hours would probably do it but you could test it to be sure. Both of our trailers have been upgraded to three stage converter/chargers so they just stay plugged in constantly while stored.

If you don't have a battery disconnect switch on the RV, you can leave your converter powered 24/7. The unseen parasitic draws of an RV will always be drawing power from the battery unless disconnected.