Xantrex Freedom 458 Plugged in 24/7 or Float Charger?

[KendallP]

Hey gang,

Is there a detriment to this charger or the batteries from leaving it plugged in during storage rather than employing a lightweight, separate float charger?

A little float charger can't really boil the batteries upon a "catastrophic" failure, for example. The Xantrex and it's controller don't appear prone to this sort of thing, but it certainly is capable of boiling the rest of the cells if one cell fails.

The Xantrex in question is controlled by the standard Freedom Remote Control Panel. It's temperature sensitive, which is nice given in the hot summers. But also means it can float as high as 14.3v at freezing temps. I would need to refresh on whether or not that's a problem.

And will the 458 and/or the control panel wear out any quicker from constant use?

[pianotuna]

KendallP,

Nice to see you again.

My choice would be to charge for 1 hour per day. Simply put a timer before the RV shore power, or before the 120 volt connection for the converter.

I do this for my car when it is in long term storage to keep up with parasitic loads.

The solar panels return and keep the battery bank fully charged in my RV.

[KendallP]

wolfe10 wrote:
Yes, if properly programmed and you check battery water level occasionally, many of us DO leave them on 24/7.

OK, thanks!

[wolfe10]

Yes, if properly programmed and you check battery water level occasionally, many of us DO leave them on 24/7.