Plugged in or not..

My point for the battery tender is, Why use the Coach converter/charger when you could use the battery tender? How much does it cost to repair/replace the charger portion of the converter? I can tell you, at Wal-Mart, a battery tender is $29.95, and lasts for quite some time.

Why not save the inverter for when you're on the road, and plugged in, or genset running, and really need it?

Just my thought. I've changed quite a few inverters and chargers. They're not cheap, at least at the RV dealerships I worked at.

BigBlockTank wrote:

bluwtr49 wrote:

BigBlockTank wrote:
If it's just the batteries that you're concerned with, why not get a battery tender and leave that plugged in, and connected to your batteries at all times you're home and plugged in. The battery tender is a smart device, it will charge and float as required. I've done it for many years on all my toys.

If one doesn't have a good inverter this is surely a good solution...with a good inverter, probably not necessary.

Understand, but the OP said he doesn't turn the fridge on, so he's only wanting to keep the batteries at the top charge. Just my suggestion, that I do, and passed it along......

This will be our first winter with our 97 Allegro Bus which I've kept plugged in all summer with the fridge running and I was wondering the same thing so I went out and checked the little box and it says it's a 12v auto shut off battery charger.....light steady = charging, light blinking = close to full and light off = full.

I don't plan on running the fridge in the winter but am I ok to leave it plugged in for the batteries with a charger like this? Thanks.

You asked the question twice but did not tell us what model converter or inverter/charger you have. It depends on that.

bluwtr49 wrote:

BigBlockTank wrote:
If it's just the batteries that you're concerned with, why not get a battery tender and leave that plugged in, and connected to your batteries at all times you're home and plugged in. The battery tender is a smart device, it will charge and float as required. I've done it for many years on all my toys.

If one doesn't have a good inverter this is surely a good solution...with a good inverter, probably not necessary.

Understand, but the OP said he doesn't turn the fridge on, so he's only wanting to keep the batteries at the top charge. Just my suggestion, that I do, and passed it along......

BigBlockTank wrote:
If it's just the batteries that you're concerned with, why not get a battery tender and leave that plugged in, and connected to your batteries at all times you're home and plugged in. The battery tender is a smart device, it will charge and float as required. I've done it for many years on all my toys.

If one doesn't have a good inverter this is surely a good solution...with a good inverter, probably not necessary.

If it's just the batteries that you're concerned with, why not get a battery tender and leave that plugged in, and connected to your batteries at all times you're home and plugged in. The battery tender is a smart device, it will charge and float as required. I've done it for many years on all my toys.

No one mentioned it yet but add only distilled water to your batteries.

We keep our plugged in all the time when parked. We have a good three stage charger that has worked well for 7.5 yrs

Good luck,
MM.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
2014 Thor ACE MH......it will have a smart converter. Plug it in. Check battery water level after 1st week.....then monthly to get idea on any water usage.

And if you plan on running fridge.....level that rig first.

Our 07 5vr has been connected to power in one form or another for past 7 yrs.

I only need to add a little water 2X a year.

I've checked the battery water level and its always fine. We only run the fridge when we are using the motorhome. Just checking to see what everyone else does I didn't want to damage anything by leaving it plugged in 24/7 Thanks :)

2014 Thor ACE MH......it will have a smart converter. Plug it in. Check battery water level after 1st week.....then monthly to get idea on any water usage.

And if you plan on running fridge.....level that rig first.

Our 07 5vr has been connected to power in one form or another for past 7 yrs.

I only need to add a little water 2X a year.

Yup, there is NO "here is the answer for all".

As already suggested, if you have a smart charger or inverter/charger AND it has been properly programmed (battery type, amp-hrs, temperature or temperature probe, etc) leave it plugged in 24.7.

If a "stupid" converter, you could cook your batteries. If this is what you have, better to put the coach or at least the converter on a timer, for, say an hour a day. Home Depot and others have HD timers that work well for this.