Forum Discussion

dvv711's avatar
dvv711
Explorer
Dec 21, 2016

Disconnect batteries?

We just got our new 42'6" long rv - our first. It is being stored in the park where we will live in it 6 mos of the year, beginning in May. Two questions: 1) When connected to shore power, should the batteries still be connected, getting charged the whole time - or will they overcharge? There is something called a 'smart battery combiner' installed & an inverter.
2) Secondly, when it's not connected to the shore line, and everything is shut down for months at a time, do we turn the 'disconnect batteries' lever to "off" ? Will the batteries freeze? Do we have to physically remove the batteries & store them somewhere warm?
I know nothing about electricity or batteries...need to know how to properly handle the batteries.
The rv is solar-prepped for a plug n play type solar panel that would sit on the ground. This could generate enough juice to keep the batteries charged...but not sure how to use this with/without shore power. Not sure if that's what we should do or not.
HELP.
  • Trackrig's avatar
    Trackrig
    Explorer II
    Dec 21, 2016
    It's simple, if the batteries are charged, pull the negative cables and leave them alone. They won't freeze. My batteries survive winters a lot colder than yours will see.

    Bill
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Dec 21, 2016
    Unless you have some way to charge the batteries, they will go flat in about 2-3 weeks, tops, if you don't use the on-board disconnect or otherwise physically disconnect them by pulling a cable. There are parasitic draws on the system, even if everything is turned off. Clocks on the microwave, TVs, DVD players, stereo, gas detectors and (if hardwired) smoke detectors all draw power all the time as long as there's power. I know on my Komfort, =everything= is killed with the house disconnect, except the slide and landing leg motors. FWIW, the disconnect on my FW also kills the battery charger, which I found out the hard way right before a boondocking trip.

    Fully charged, they shouldn't freeze and should last several months without a problem.

    Lyle
  • Veebyes's avatar
    Veebyes
    Explorer II
    Dec 21, 2016
    In storage I prefer to leave the RV completely dead. Batterys disconnected at the terminals. No risk of anything electric failing that way.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Dec 21, 2016
    dvv711 wrote:
    We just got our new 42'6" long rv - our first. It is being stored in the park where we will live in it 6 mos of the year, beginning in May.


    Is it really brand new.....or just new to YOU ?

    If it is brand new, ask the dealer if the converter/changer it has is automatic so you can leave it plugged in.....and then do that.
    Folks here could verify the answer you get if you could supply the make and model of the converter/charger.

    If it will sit there empty 6 months of every year it is important that you know things like this and NOW is a good time to start learning.

    Winterizing the onboard water system is probably more important than the electrical considerations.
  • dvv711's avatar
    dvv711
    Explorer
    Dec 21, 2016
    It is brand new. A 2016 Open Range 3x - new off the lot and water system already winterized. I'll have to go to the site & find out the make & model of the converter/charger...where on the rv will I find this? (as I said, I know nothing about electricity & batteries!)
  • wilber1's avatar
    wilber1
    Explorer
    Dec 21, 2016
    dvv711 wrote:
    It is brand new. A 2016 Open Range 3x - new off the lot and water system already winterized. I'll have to go to the site & find out the make & model of the converter/charger...where on the rv will I find this? (as I said, I know nothing about electricity & batteries!)


    Your unit probably came with a bag of books and leaflets on different components, there should be one for the converter.

    Our old 5th had an older converter with a two stage charger and I used to disconnect the batteries and use a maintainer. The new one has a converter with a three stage charger which maintains the batteries nicely. Now I just leave the rig plugged in and let it do its thing.
  • B_O__Plenty's avatar
    B_O__Plenty
    Explorer II
    Dec 21, 2016
    Disconnect the batteries. That way there is no chance anything can short out and start a fire. If you must leave the batteries more than 3-4 months it would be best to remove them and put them on a trickle charger or battery maintainer while they are not in use.

    B.O.
  • dvv711's avatar
    dvv711
    Explorer
    Dec 21, 2016
    Our rv has a WF-5100 Series 1000 Watt Pure Sine Wave Power inverter
    and a WFCO Deckmount Converter WF-6800 Series - both made by WFCO . The converter manual says it is an automatic three-stage switching power supply. This is all Greek to me...anyone know where to find the inverter and converter on/in the rv??

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