Disconnecting Battery When Plugged in for long periods

[Duramax1]

When staying plugged in at RV parks in desert warm temperatures for prolonged periods of time I usually disconnect the battery as I don't like to see it being charged at 13.50 volts or so for long periods of time during intense heat.

The 12 volt system components continue to receive their dc energy requirements from the converter.

Is there any problem with the habit I have developed?

[Junior30]

I just replaced my factory charger with the progressive dynamics charger and am very happy. Its nice to not have to worry about the batteries as much. Previous charger was boiling batteries. Id say it may be worth the $200 to install a better charger and not have to worry about disconnecting the batteries. Once the batteries are charged it maintains them at 13.2V.

[wa8yxm]

A lot depends on your converter.. Magnetek 6300 by all means unplug

Progressive Dynamics wizard controlled models... I never disconnect.

[brulaz]

I too disconnect my batteries from the WFCO distribution panel when not using them and on shore power. It's a simple disconnect switch. If we leave for any lengthy time, and the power is unreliable, it's easy enough to switch them back in when locking up.

The solar system is always connected and keeps the batteries at 13.1V during the day after a brief pulse to 14.8V in the morning (when they are not being used much).

[RJsfishin]

If you are loosing much water, its charging too hi. In extremely hot temps, 13.5 is too hi. Personally, in extreme hi temps, (over 100) I'd use a temp regulated maintainer like the "battery tender"

[doughere]

What you're doing is not going to hurt anything; although as mentioned you risk problems if you're not there and power goes off for extended periods of time.

If you are leaving battery disconnected for long periods, make sure it isn't loosing too much charge.

I would agree that a smart charger would be better; but 13.5 would not cause problems if your are carefull about checking the battery water.

Doug

[AllegroD]

SoundGuy wrote:

Duramax1 wrote:
Is there any problem with the habit I have developed?

If park power drops out and you're not there at the time your rig will be dead. If you leave the battery connected and shore power fails the trailer will automatically switch to battery power ... could make the difference between coming back to a fridge that's continuing to run normally (on gas and battery power to run the circuit board) OR quit running entirely and possibly losing all the contents of the fridge if you're gone long enough. Personally I leave the battery connected.

As long as you have a 3 stage smart charger, the above would be my response. If you do not have a smart charger, I would do what you do, but a smart charger would go to the top of my Christmas list.

[Mandalay_Parr]

My batteries have remained connected for 11years.
No problem at all.
Systems are designed to have the batteries connected at all times.

[time2roll]

Duramax1 wrote:
Is there any problem with the habit I have developed?

No

[Sam_Spade]

SoundGuy wrote:
Personally I leave the battery connected.

Me too.

13.5 is really not that high for a wet-cell if you keep an eye on the water level. An AGM will be perfectly happy with that float voltage with no degradation whatsoever.

Of course, it depends partly on what exactly you consider a "long time" and how high the temperature actually is.

[USAFBILL]

The battery also serves as a DC filter for your system. Should the DC from the converter have any ripple at all the battery will filter the ripple out making your DC pure. Also any spike from the converter that might harm any DC components in your rig will be filtered out saving $$$$$. I always leave my battery in the circuit.

[SoundGuy]

Duramax1 wrote:
Is there any problem with the habit I have developed?

If park power drops out and you're not there at the time your rig will be dead. If you leave the battery connected and shore power fails the trailer will automatically switch to battery power ... could make the difference between coming back to a fridge that's continuing to run normally (on gas and battery power to run the circuit board) OR quit running entirely and possibly losing all the contents of the fridge if you're gone long enough. Personally I leave the battery connected.

[RoyB]

That is what I would do or at least keep checking the battery for fluid boiling out.

Of course the best you can do is replace your older converter/charger with a SMART MODE charger like the PD-9200 series is. Then you won't have to worry about the battery anymore... You most likely will only have to replace the charger module and hopefully can keep your same 120VAC and 12VDC Distribution Panel. Just replace the module in the bottom compartment.

Call Randy at BESTCONVERTERS...

Roy Ken