1st time trailer owner, question regarding battery/power

After letting the batteries sit for 3 days unloaded and disconnected from the charger, the batteries are reading 12.73 volts on my DVM, which is 100% state of charge.

I am running a pair of Energizer 6 volt golf cart batteries for my 12 volt system. The batteries are 2008 vintage, so they are over 7 years old now.

I leave the camper plugged into shore power at home when the trailer isn't being used from May through October, so apparently my on board charger is OK to leave plugged in all the time.

Keep it plugged in to keep the new battery charged fully.

I used to do this but now I am not so sure this is a good way to go after dealing with batteries in an electric golf cart.

I know my camper converter continuously will output approx 13.7 volts. After my last outing on battery power only, I came home and plugged the camper in where it has remained plugged in to shore powere for the past 5 days. The camper converter is still outputting 13.7 volts after 5 days. The thing I don't know is what amperage the converter puts out.

By now the batteries should be fully charged and the way to confirm this is to let the batteries rest for 24 hours and check the voltage. 12.73 volts would indicate a fully charged battery after resting, assuming good batteries.

I worry that leaving the battery charging for extended periods of time could deplete the battery acid solution due to off gassing, leaving a dry cell and a ruined battery.

I know my electric golf cart battery charger shuts down when the batteries are fully charged and an automotive automatic charger will do the same.

BigSkyTrailer Guy wrote:
bikendan, I love Camano Island. Gorgeous place, my boss used to live there.

My son is now stationed on Whidbey Island.

Yea, we just moved there from California.
It's a great place to live on the west side of the Cascades. Much less rain than other areas near us.
The DW is from the area and all her family lives in the region.
We can see Whidbey from our deck and I enjoy watching the aircraft from the NAS.

bikendan, I love Camano Island. Gorgeous place, my boss used to live there.

My son is now stationed on Whidbey Island.

BigSkyTrailer Guy wrote:
Of course while you're driving, you can run the fridge on 12v again.

The OP has 2 way fridge so it won't run On 12v while driving.
He has to run it on propane.

Inverters are not battery chargers, an inverter changes direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC).

My 12 volt lights and devices work just fine without a 12 volt battery installed.

Short and snippy? Did I not apologize cause it sounded rude?

However----what I was suggesting was TRUTH. He asked, people responded, he asked the same question, more responses...same question asked AGAIN. I am not trying to be snippy, just don't understand why he was not seeing his question was answered. In fact, I ALSO answered it.

By the way, this (Plugged in, your lights should work, with OR without a battery installed,is not necessarily a correct statement. Some inverters are basically battery chargers...they will only work if a battery is installed. We never used the lights in our coleman pop-up, so I never installed a battery...only the 120 volt outlets worked.

BTW, The tough guy above wasn't me... You're just looking for simple help. And some know-alls tend to get short and snippy. My apologies. I hope I can better explain things in this long response.

ALL your lights are 12 Volt. Your furnace fan is 12V. Water pump is 12V. However, your fridge is probably switchable from 12V-to- 120V-to-propane. They all need at least a battery to operate.

(Plugged in, your lights should work, with OR without a battery installed,) While PLUGGED IN to an extension cord, your hidden magic "power converter/battery charger" kicks in automatically, knocking down the 120V "shore power" to 12 volts, it'll power the 12V lights, 12V furnace, 12v fridge. Trailer plugged in, your converter/charger will also do its best to charge and maintain your newly installed $200 Optima batt.

While it sits in the driveway, keep the trailer plugged in to 120V (all spring, summer and fall) so the charger can maintain your 12V Optima blue top batt. (Make sure your lights, fridge and everything else is turned off when you shut the door. And make sure the cat isn't in there!_

When you're "boondocking" (ie out in the forest withOUT any 120V plug in), your 12V batt is ALL you've got for lights, furnace, 12v TV, water pump. Be miserly with lights, and your battery should last 4-6 days in the forest. So MAKE SURE you put the FRIDGE ON PROPANE at once. A fridge on 12V will KILL even the best battery in 6-8 hours. (Other hand, if you're "plugged in" at a KOA, by all means click your fridge to 120V to save propane.)

Of course while you're driving, you can run the fridge on 12v again.

(Remember a good battery deep cycle recharge can take 24-48 hours.) Relax- camping is supposed to be fun and as cheap as you can make it.

euphoria18_79 wrote:
Thank you for the suggestion. I have a new optima blue gel battery in it, and everything works.
But, if there is no battery in it, would the lights etc work? Or does it need the battery regardless?

You keep asking the same question, but are you reading the replies???

The battery must be installed for the 12volt systems to work. LIGHTS, are part of the 12volt system. Go back to page one...several people gave you good explanations on how the 120v/12v systems work, and a link for further explanation.

Sorry...I know this sounds rude. However, this site has lots, lots and lots of useful info on it......you do however have to pay attention to the responses.

Oh. You got an Optima. Definitely not the "optimal" choice for your application, but certainly the most expensive one. Someone sold you that MORE is better. Overkill it is not. As some say "2/3 the battery for 3/2 the price."

Optima batts are definitely maintenance free, but need to be really carefully recharged with a three-stage-or-more charger, and I hope your trailer has one. Never let any battery go below 50% charge, you can easily destroy it that way, even the coveted Optima. Be careful, and you may get 2 years out of it.

A simple Walmart Marine/RV $95 or any DeepCycle would have suited your needs perfectly. Not to discourage you, but be sure to flood the forums with questions to make the right choices. Especially about batteries... and tires!