Trickle Chargers

I agree with just buy a adaptor and leave it plugged in to a standard 15 amp outlet. Or, purchase a disconnect switch and shut it off.

bobndot wrote:
My last 6 Rv's since 2000 had 3 stage chargers built into the converter and I left them all plugged in 24/7. I never had any battery issues . The units since 2004 all had charge wizards built into the Intel converters . I leave my 2016 plugged in , all is fine. I've used wet cells as well as AGM's .

You have had 6 RV's since 2000 :E

I am one of those that use the internal charger to keep my battery up.

I left the TT plugged into the 120 volt outlet in my garage with an adapter from the TT power cord to the 15 amp wall socket.

It was plugged in from November to March. Since the internal coverter delivers charges the battery while we are camping all summer, I did not see why it could not do it in the winter.

The newer chargers are designed to sense the amount of charge needed by the battery and adjust accordingly.

Though limited to 15 or 20 amps I have used the adapter to power the TT from non campground sources.

2112 wrote:
Use your on-board charger. If your camper didn't come with a 30A to 20A Adaptor get one. Plug your camper into an extension cord using this. Do not use the A/C or microwave while using this adaptor on an extension cord.

If you are concerned with overcharging disconnect the battery at the disconnect switch. This switch could be mounted to the tongue frame or inside the front pass through storage. Follow the + battery cable to find it. The camper retains power yet isolates the battery when this switch is off. I turn mine on Friday night to charge on the weekends and turn it off Sunday night.

This is a great idea. Leaving it plugged into my 30A outlet is most likely ok as well.

smkettner wrote:
Not going to boil out a battery in winter.
TX summer yes.

"Boil" is just a term that most people can relate to.

What actually happens is electrolysis and temperature has little to no impact on the electro-chemical reaction.

If you don't have a disconnect switch, get one. Then all you need to do is turn off the power with the disconnect switch when ever you park the camper for a period of time. The battery will keep it's charge for over a month. About once a month or so plug in the TT to an extension cord, turn on the disconnect switch, and let the battery charge for 8 hours or so. Disconnect the extension cord, turn off the disconnect switch and your good for another month or more.

Use your on-board charger. If your camper didn't come with a 30A to 20A Adaptor get one. Plug your camper into an extension cord using this. Do not use the A/C or microwave while using this adaptor on an extension cord.

If you are concerned with overcharging disconnect the battery at the disconnect switch. This switch could be mounted to the tongue frame or inside the front pass through storage. Follow the + battery cable to find it. The camper retains power yet isolates the battery when this switch is off. I turn mine on Friday night to charge on the weekends and turn it off Sunday night.

Sam Spade wrote:

smkettner wrote:

Actually any converter is fine for the Winter.

Not sure what you mean by that but "any converter" is not fine for long term use. The basic ones are no better than a dumb trickle charger and will tend to boil the batteries dry.

I'll bet "any converter" that came as standard equipment in a 2016 model is indeed fine for long term use, and won't likely boil the batteries unless it's malfunctioning. Regardless, a minimal amount of observation, especially while it's in your driveway, will prevent boiled batteries. No need for external battery chargers of any kind.

My last 6 Rv's since 2000 had 3 stage chargers built into the converter and I left them all plugged in 24/7. I never had any battery issues . The units since 2004 all had charge wizards built into the Intel converters . I leave my 2016 plugged in , all is fine. I've used wet cells as well as AGM's .

Not going to boil out a battery in winter.
TX summer yes.

smkettner wrote:

Actually any converter is fine for the Winter.

Not sure what you mean by that but "any converter" is not fine for long term use. The basic ones are no better than a dumb trickle charger and will tend to boil the batteries dry.