Leaving batteries connected during long term camping

[Gary_Dietz]

On another site I read a thread about unhooking the batteries when running on 120 volt for an extended time to prevent over heating. My question is how long is long term? Two nights? A week? A month?


Gary

[pnichols]

Gary,

It also depends upon the kind of batteries you have.

For instance, I've always used batteries in our 10 year old RV that are supposed to be stored ("floated") with around 13.6 volts on them. So, just about 24/7 this entire time I've left the stock 13.6 volt converter in the RV turned ON and the coach batteries hooked up to them. The type batteries I use not only float well on 13.6 volts, but when they're run down they also charge up fast enough on 13.6 volts.

[wa8yxm]

Depends on your converter
Magnetek 6300 UPGRADE (one week, or less)

Progressive Dynamics 9180 with optional charge wizard (or their 9200 which haS it built in) 20 years. (Actually that's a joke. Forever is the correct answer.. though you may need to replace the batteries every 10 or so and water from time to time during that decade)

[Gary_Dietz]

I have a2012 Airstream with 2 Interstate batteries. The trailer has an inverter but I do not know the brand.



Gary

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Question should ask

Connected to power pedestal

Camping west of the Mississippi means parking somewhere so a black bear can peer through the galley window and put in a side order for bacon.

[DrewE]

Also be aware that some converters don't operate properly if they are not connected to batteries. That's not generally true of modern converters, but many of the older ones require a battery or something sort of equivalent (like a large capacitor) to operate at the right voltage and/or to clean up the 12V power sufficiently.

On my RV, apparently unlike many, the converter is wired to the battery side of the disconnect switch, so using the disconnect switch while on shore power results in the battery still being charged but the house circuits having no power. Obviously, physically disconnecting the battery ground lead is still an option with this setup.

[stickdog]

We fulltime and are plugged in 99% of the time. The OEM converter died and was replaced with Progressive multistage and I have only had to add water once in three years where I had been adding water every two weeks. I do check monthly just in case.

[turbojimmy]

wolfe10 wrote:
Yup, without knowing what converter, charger or inverter/charger you have, there is no way we can give sage advice.

If a smart charger or inverter/charger AND IT IS PROPERLY PROGRAMMED, you can safely leave it plugged in 24/7/365.

Basically if it maintains battery voltage between 13.2 and 13.5 VDC you can leave it on. If higher, it will overcharge them. If lower, they will not fully charge. And this is float voltage, meaning after they are fully charged.

Yep. A modern converter/charger can be plugged in 24/7/365. I have a newish (2014) PowerMax converter in my '84 Allegro. I leave it plugged in round the clock and it hasn't boiled my 3 batteries. Capacity is as good as the day I bought them.

[wolfe10]

Yup, without knowing what converter, charger or inverter/charger you have, there is no way we can give sage advice.

If a smart charger or inverter/charger AND IT IS PROPERLY PROGRAMMED, you can safely leave it plugged in 24/7/365.

Basically if it maintains battery voltage between 13.2 and 13.5 VDC you can leave it on. If higher, it will overcharge them. If lower, they will not fully charge. And this is float voltage, meaning after they are fully charged.

[pianotuna]

Hi Gary,

What type of converter do you have? Size, make and model?

What sort of battery bank do you have?

[DutchmenSport]

It depends upon the type of converter you have in your camper if they continue to charge or if they have a turn off feature when charged, and a trickle feature when not use the camper at all.

I've had 3 different campers now: Dutchmen Sport, Keystone Springdale, and Keystone Outback. All 3 of them were left plugged in 24x7x365 from the moment I purchased the camper to the moment I sold them (except my Outback... I not selling it!) I've never had a battery over-cook or go bad.

Now my pop-up (in 6 years, when through 2 batteries) fried them up. Lesson learned to unplug in the winter. But never the with travel trailers.

[korbe]

Since my converter seems to over charge my batteries while on shore power, I will use my disconnect switch while in this situation for more than a simple weekend.

[doughere]

I have 2 8 year old 6V GC's that have never been disconnected. I keep RV tied to 120 and solar constantly. They haven't overheated yet.

If you have a single stage converter that is a constant 13.6 V output, I might disconnect after a week or so. That's only a temporary solution until you change it out for a good 3 stage converter.

Doug