Land line charging...how long?

[jpratt2]

New to RVing, wondering for long term parking is it ok to leave the land line plugged into our house for charging or should I only plug it in periodically to top up the batteries.

[SoundGuy]

jpratt2 wrote:
New to RVing, wondering for long term parking is it ok to leave the land line plugged into our house for charging or should I only plug it in periodically to top up the batteries.

Interestingly, not one single person has offered the most important reason why leaving one's rig plugged in 24/7 may not be the best idea, and it has nothing to do with the battery or the converter - exposing your trailer's electrical system to the many anomalies present in any power grid system, whether actually camping or not. For several years now I've protected my own rigs with a surge protector / EMS, current one being a hard wire Progressive Industries EMS-HW30C, and I wouldn't ever consider leaving the trailer plugged in 24/7 without it standing guard. Your choice, but as Dirty Harry said - "Do I feel lucky? Well do you punk?" :W

[jpratt2]

Thanks for all the info everyone! So it sounds from the replies that it depends on the age of the converter/charger system. This is a 1998 Bigfoot 29' Garage model that most likely has its original charger, so I should probably get a timer. Additionally a previous owner hardwired a regular battery charger into the system...probably for a fuller charge.
Also sounds like I need to monitor the water levels...a PITA as the deep cycle batteries are stuffed in there pretty good. Anyone use the self-watering systems that keep them topped up?

[Dutch_12078]

Our coach is nearly always plugged in to shorepower when we're not in transit. Our modern 4-stage converter/charger does a nice job of maintaining our 12-volt maintenance free batteries.

[theoldwizard1]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I have put a timer in the line so that the juice comes on for a short period each day.

BEST ANSWER !

Use a cheap mechanical lamp timer.

[turbojimmy]

time2roll wrote:
Unplugged... the RV will self run the battery down in two days to two weeks. If the battery is fully tip top charged and disconnected you can let it sit two to six months.

Mine will do the same - will draw down over a couple of weeks. I'm not sure why. There shouldn't be any draw other than the CO alarm. The chassis battery would do the same if I didn't have a trickle charger on it.

[turbojimmy]

My 33-year-old Allegro has a newer converter/charger that I installed when I first got it almost 4 years ago. I keep it plugged in 24x7 when it's parked at home, which is pretty much all the time. I think I only got out in the thing twice last year. All 3 batteries (also almost 4-years old) are fine.

[time2roll]

No harm to leave the RV plugged in continuously. If this causes an issue then fix the RV. Check the battery water level and voltage after a week. Post the results.

Unplugged... the RV will self run the battery down in two days to two weeks. If the battery is fully tip top charged and disconnected you can let it sit two to six months.

[2oldman]

Stay plugged in in storage?2007
disconnect? Oct 2013
Stay plugged in Mar 2014
Stay plugged in Jun 2014
Stay plugged in Sep 2014

[wa8yxm]

Depends on your converter... Most 21st Century RV's you can leave plugged in, Some older units you should not.

[RoyB]

I have the "working' smart mode converter/charger on shore power all the time when parked. It does just fine keeping the batteries up... My older converter/charge was one of those single mode 13.6VDC chargers and it worked too well and sometimes would boil out fluids.. I had to keep a real close watch on my batteries when I was using that one... Lost one 12V battery to being over charged then I started checking them on a scheduled basis from then on.

If I completely remove or switch out the cables my batteries will make it through the winter months just fine but I like to keep a few things running all the time as we use our two trailers all the time when parked for something... I still would keep an eye on them and when they dropped to around 12.4-5VDC then I would turn on a trickle charge and continue to watch them...

My original battery bank installed in 2008 just started to drop performance big time last season. Just now working on a new battery setup... These original GP24 12V Interstate batteries got a big work out going from the 50% to 90% charge state camping off grid... I sure got my monies wroth out of them for sure... I started out with four of them and lost one in a few months for boiling out the fluids and after that all has been great with me watching them on a scheduled basis and using a smart mode charging setup.

Roy Ken

[Bumpyroad]

I have put a timer in the line so that the juice comes on for a short period each day. currently have a marine multi level charger hooked directly to battery and the RV is not plugged in at all.
bumpy

[beemerphile1]

jpratt2 wrote:
New to RVing, wondering for long term parking is it ok to leave the land line plugged into our house for charging or should I only plug it in periodically to top up the batteries.

It depends, tell us the brand and model of converter (charger) in the RV.

[Sam_Spade]

Biaggio wrote:
Can't see keeping it plugged in all the time.IMO.

Your opinion notwithstanding, batteries age MUCH faster when allowed to sit in a discharged state....even partially.

IF you have a good converter/charger, it is MUCH better to keep it plugged in.

If you have a cheap one stage C/C, then get a small automatic tender type charger and keep IT connected during storage instead.

Or plug it in for 12 hours or so every month.

Of course if the batteries have caps, check the electrolyte level once a month.

[Biaggio]

Turn off the coach batteries and check periodically. Then power up a few days prior to usesge. Can't see keeping it plugged in all the time.IMO.