When you're home is your RV always plugged in? Why or why not?Thanks- just wondering what everyone one else does. I don't winterize because I use it more in the winter but I will set the heater for low if we expect severe temps.Is it best for the battery to always be on a trickle charge?

We are always plugged in so the ac runs occasionally. I do shut off the batteries till just before a trip or the monthly generator run.

I never leave it running. What would be the point? I can speak from experience I have never had a problem with not running it ha ha ha that sounded kind of funny didn't it. True though LOL. I think I should explain. I always leave it plugged in but turn the frig off and AC and anything else that is going to run. There that sounds better I guess?

For 10 years we had a small 5th wheel with 1 battery and now a Class C with 2 batteries. I stay plugged in just enough to keep the batteries fully charged or close to full. That means a few hours every 2 weeks or so. But I'm not saying it would be wrong to stay plugged in. I think my son does with his Class A and I think he leaves the frig on also.

I keep mine plugged in for the season. Mostly because we keep the frig stocked and ready to go.

We have a class A we used every weekend so we keep it plugged in at home during the week because the fridge is always full.

Do You Keep Your RV Plugged in? | Good Sam Community

41 Replies

jorn
Explorer
Jun 09, 2014
Mine stays plugged in BECAUSE I put in a a smart, 3-way converter.
Crabbypatty
Explorer
Jun 09, 2014
Yes for ten years. The batteries have a charge wizard module which stirs the batteries nice a day and keeps it all in top shape.
Camper_Ken
Explorer
Jun 08, 2014
ScottG wrote:
Plugged in all season for the fridge to stay cool. A local rebuilder told me the fridges cooling unit last longer if not turned on and off often because of expansion and contraction. Since we go camping every two weeks or more, we leave it on with all the condiments and staples inside.

A certified master technician I worked with at a major RV dealer and service department has always said to leave the fridge on all the time, that it will last longer than turning it on and off. Less chance for the chemical mixture in the cooling unit to sit and allow corrosion for form.

Of course if anytime your running the fridge, but sure the rig is level when parked.

Ken
Dakzuki
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2014
When I leave it plugged in unattended I have it on battery maintainers with the batteries switched off to the house. In the event of an AC power loss the batteries will not drain as they would if left switched on.

You probably don't have to ask me how I learned to do this.
Calisdad
Explorer
Jun 07, 2014
Bobbo wrote:
The Logans wrote:
We leave our plugged in, and the fridge running. According to Dometic, the fridge lasts longer if it's kept running. Great place to escape too, after a disagreement with the DW! lol

But only if the fridge is stocked with the appropriate beverages!

Then it's great to escape with.

I have a friend who escapes to the TT to nap all the time. DW either hasn't figured it out or doesn't care.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Jun 07, 2014
The Logans wrote:
We leave our plugged in, and the fridge running. According to Dometic, the fridge lasts longer if it's kept running. Great place to escape too, after a disagreement with the DW! lol

But only if the fridge is stocked with the appropriate beverages!
The_Logans
Explorer
Jun 07, 2014
We leave our plugged in, and the fridge running. According to Dometic, the fridge lasts longer if it's kept running. Great place to escape too, after a disagreement with the DW! lol
Calisdad
Explorer
Jun 06, 2014
woodworker414 wrote:
Hi Calisdad. I keep my C plugged in all year. I keep the fridge stocked, the water tank full. That way I can take off darn quick. I keep 5days of clothes on board also. Works for me.
Safe Travels
Bill

Bill you raised a good point. I live in a 'fire zone'. We never know when we might have to bug out. Usually we would have lots of time but you never know, plus power outages happen quite suddenly. If our tank isn't full and we have no street power it's hard to get water out of the well.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2014
Calisdad wrote:
Thanks for the feed back. I'm glad I asked. I just upgraded to the PD4645. Now I need to set up something for the chassis battery.

Trik-L-Start - never leave home without it.

pnichols wrote:
Bobbo wrote:
When I had a Parallax/Magnetek 7345, no. After I replaced that piece of junk with a Progressive Dynamics PD4655V, yes. And I also added a Trik-L-Start to keep the chassis battery topped off.

Well ... I guess one man's junk can sometimes be another man's treasure:

http://www.parallaxpower.com/7300/7300pwrcntr.pdf

My Parallax 7345 has so far taken good care of my nearly 8 year old coach batteries. I keep the coach plugged in full-time except for hot weather. My batteries are AGM and on their label it says to float them at 13.5 to 13.8 volts, which makes the 7345 a perfect fit for them.

The Parallax 7300 series power centers are not inexpensive, are quiet, don't interfer with other electronic equipment, and carry two year warranties. Mine has performed flawlessly - BUT I do use AGM batteries - which not only float well at 7345 output voltages - but also charge well at 7345 output voltages due to the low internal resistance of AGM batteries.

Right you are. There was another guy on RV.NET who had a 7345 that he was very happy with, but it died on him. I gave him my perfectly functioning 7345 for the price of shipping.
woodworker414
Explorer
Jun 06, 2014
Hi Calisdad. I keep my C plugged in all year. I keep the fridge stocked, the water tank full. That way I can take off darn quick. I keep 5days of clothes on board also. Works for me.
Safe Travels
Bill