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Shore power at home/plugged in all the time?

freewayrandy
Explorer
Explorer
I keep my hauler plugged in all the time at home. My neighbor just told me a tech at a RV dealer told him not to, but plug it in once a month for a week to charge the batts. Anyone know of any cons to leaving it plugged in all the time?
2022 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax/Allison, 2024 Cougar 27SGS
33 REPLIES 33

donn0128
Explorer II
Explorer II
Whats the difference of plugging in at home all the time or plugging in at the RV park for days/weeks/months at a time? Answer... NOTHING! Now that is not to say you should ignore your batteries, but there is no difference. I have had my RV's at home and plugged in since around 1977 with no serious problems, ever. All this hype about three stage converter/chargers I think is just that, hype. Check and maintain your batteries, leave your RV plugged on and ready to go at a moments notice. The alternative is not so nice if you decide to pull out on a moments notice and discover deqd batteries because you forgot to plug it in last week for a couple of days.

skipnchar
Explorer
Explorer
My trailer has been plugged in for two years with no problems. Just check water in batteries about once a month until you know if your converter will overcharge them. I have to add water about once every 6 months.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer

US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population

gravessat
Explorer
Explorer
freewayrandy wrote:
I keep my hauler plugged in all the time at home. My neighbor just told me a tech at a RV dealer told him not to, but plug it in once a month for a week to charge the batts. Anyone know of any cons to leaving it plugged in all the time?


After a camping trip I let my batteries charge for a few days then I throw the breaker to the converter inside the camper so it does not charge anymore.
Then a day or so befor my next trip I turn it he converter back on to top off the batteries.

That way my fridge stays cold.
2008 Dodge 3500 Megacab
2012 Voltage V3795 Epic package
2011 Black RZR4
2010 blue RZR4 Robbie Gordon Special!

Y-Guy
Moderator
Moderator
Neighbor is partially correct. If you have a 3 stage/multi-stage battery charger you're ok, but most RVs don't come with those. If you don't have one you can cook/boil your batteries. If you plan on using your RV while it's parked then upgrading to a 3/multi-stage charger may be a wise move. But before you do anything, find out what charger/converter you have.

Two Wire Fox Terriers; Sarge & Sully

2007 Winnebago Sightseer 35J

2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon