Hello Everyone…I have a 2003 Ford F-53 RVI have questions regarding charging house & chassis batteries, How often to disconnect from shore power I usually stay hooked up to shore power for 6 months, then leave the RV in storage for the other 6 months … So after 3 years of this schedule the chassis battery died even though I was hooked up for months , and now the deep cycle batteries are leaking .. (I did replace the starting battery ) What are my options in this case to increase the longevity of both the starting and house batteries? (Since the charging system is built in) disconnect from the shore power for few minutes every day? For few hours every week? Should I remove the negative terminal from the starting battery even when hooked to shore power? If so then how often?Take into consideration that my fridge and microwave work only when connected to shore power… I do not know much about how electric systems work so that is why I ask all these details to make sure I get it right

Unplug prior to moving MHAs for batteries going dead while in storage for 6 monthsThat is NOT unusualThey are probably dropping in voltage after 2 weeks then sit dead for 5 months or more.That reduces the LIFE of the batteries

Prior to having a solar charger if the RV wasn't going to be used for longer than a month I would pull the batts and put them in the garage on a trickle charger. 6 months without a charge even if the disconnect switch is on will kill them.

Sir Traveller wrote:Hello Everyone…I have a 2003 Ford F-53 RVI have questions regarding charging house & chassis batteries, How often to disconnect from shore power I usually stay hooked up to shore power for 6 months, then leave the RV in storage for the other 6 months … So after 3 years of this schedule the chassis battery died even though I was hooked up for months , and now the deep cycle batteries are leaking .. (I did replace the starting battery ) What are my options in this case to increase the longevity of both the starting and house batteries? (Since the charging system is built in) disconnect from the shore power for few minutes every day? For few hours every week? Should I remove the negative terminal from the starting battery even when hooked to shore power? If so then how often?Take into consideration that my fridge and microwave work only when connected to shore powerI do not know much about how electric systems work so that is why I ask all these details to make sure I get it rightIf in storage, why do you need the Fridge or microwave to work??

Install a couple of solar panels.

I'd disconnect the chassis battery if the MH is not being driven for 6 months at a time. Disconnect the house batteries when the MH is in storage. The house batteries need to be checked for water levels frequently when not disconnected.

How often to disconnect from shore power | Good Sam Community

Racklefratz
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2021
dodge guy wrote:
When plugged in the chassis battery does not get charged, only the house batteries.

Careful about oversimplifying - our Tiffin came from the factory with a trickle-charger connected to the starting batteries, so they definitely DO get charged whenever the bus is on shore power.

Electrical systems vary all over the place from brand to brand, and model to model. It's hard sometimes to make blanket statements that apply to them all for some aspects of their design and capabilities.
Sir_Traveller
Explorer
Feb 15, 2021
many thanks to all who participated, your suggestions and ideas have been very helpful
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2021
Mine stays plugged in if not on the road.
garry1p
Explorer
Feb 10, 2021
Not sure if this is practical in your situation but take the batteries with you and keep them on a trickle charger.

You need a good 3 stage converter in the RV to prevent overcharging when on shore power.
Gjac
Explorer III
Feb 07, 2021
There are a lot of ways people use to maintain batteries. What I do during the camping season I wait until my batteries self discharge to 80%SOC then fully recharge them. In the winter storage season I fully charge when I winterize, disconnect the negative cables and the batteries are good until spring. Most batteries fail from under charging when sulfation builds up on the plates, but I think plates last longer(less lead shedding) if not left to charge constantly.
AllegroD
Nomad
Feb 06, 2021
Battery disconnect or pull the batts.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 05, 2021
Sir Traveller wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Add solar, or charge once every 30 days while in storage.

When in use--make sure the converter is smart enough to drop to a float voltage. Overcharging is just as bad as undercharging.

I'll be moving to SiO2 batteries next summer as they can tolerate a LOT of abuse.

Get a tric-l-start for the chassis battery.

thank you
I have no access to the RV while in storage as I will be out of state ( I live in south California , so hot dry weather most of the year... if that is a factor )

There are timers that work over a seven day period. Or you could invest in a solar charging system, if the storage is outdoors.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Feb 05, 2021
the answer depends on the converter a 2003... Well I'd hope it has either a very well regulated like a Dang can't recall the company name 7300 is the model (Google is my friend Parallex) or better yet a porper 3-stage (Progressive Dynamics with charge wizard either built in or plugged in)

Unplug before moving to a new location.

Older Magnetek (Parallex bought 'em out) 6300 series. UPGRADE (Progressive Dynamics 4600 is the upgrade. use same fuses and breakers. new "Guts")
9200 for deck mounts..

But that's the difference. My batteries made it 9 years for the first set. 2nd set... Well they went with the Rv after the semi hit it.
Sir_Traveller
Explorer
Feb 05, 2021
bukhrn wrote:
If in storage, why do you need the Fridge or microwave to work??

that is only when hooked to shore power of course, when in storage obviously fridge will be off and empty, my questions are regarding the best ways to keep both batteries charged. and if I disconnect from shore power ( for few minutes a day or few hours a week ) to put a load on the house batteries
Sir_Traveller
Explorer
Feb 05, 2021
dougrainer wrote:
1. When plugged into Shore Power for that 6 months, you need to start the chassis engine weekly for about 15 minutes.
2. When plugged into Shore Power for that 6 months you need to check the COACH battery water weekly
3. When in Storage, DISCONNECT the Negative of the Chassis battery
4. For 6 months in storage, I would also disconnect the Negatives from the COACH batteries.
5. DO WHAT EVERY RV OWNER SHOULD DO----TAKE GOOD PICS OF THE VARIOUS CABLES CONNECTED TO BOTH BATTERY BANKS AND ALSO MAKE A EASY TO READ DIAGRAM OF THOSE CABLES AND WHERE THEY GO. IT WILL PAY YOU BACK WHEN YOU HAVE TO MESS WITH THE BATTERY CABLES OR REPLACE THE BATTERIES.
6. Last, Chassis batteries are short burst of energy batteries. They do not take kindly to being slowly depleted and go dead. This kills a Chassis type battery, RV or Automobile. Doug

thank you very much for the detailed reply, this is very helpful