Plugged in or Trickle Charger

[oyarsa]

Our trailer is now parked next to our house. I could keep it plugged in 24/7. Is it better to do that, or take the batteries out and plug them into Battery Tenders if the trailer isn't going to be used for a while (say a month.) Our batteries are regular, maintenance required deep cycle batteries. Our previous batteries died, I believe because they were left disconnected and not on any trickle charger for a few months. I'd like to try to treat these batteries better.

Also, the previous batteries had some corrosion on the positive terminals. This transferred to the Battery Tender connections. I assume I need to clean them before connecting to the new batteries, but how thoroughly do I need to clean them, how should I clean them, and should I use some sort of anti-corrosion spray?

[oyarsa]

Hm. The cords I use have a tendency to spark where they connect with even the slightest bump. Maybe for now I'll use the battery tender and look into adding a 30 amp outlet.

[Beaker]

Sounds like a 30 amp outlet would be fine, then. However, I only have a 20 amp outlet currently available, and have to use two cords to reach it. Based on Beaker's post, that might not be a great idea?

Was parked at house, sleeping in house, thought I smelled electrical fire but didn't see anything. A couple of days later, was around the back side of trailer where it was plugged into extension cord with adapter and saw a black mark up the trailer where it was plugged in. Adapter was melted.

Was washing the present trailer and got a tingle when washing the bumper. Measured voltage bumper to ground(wet concrete) and got 10 volts. Replaced adapter and voltage disappeared.

Maybe cheap adapters, maybe not, maybe the cord.

No longer is it plugged into house except when in use. I do put a battery charger on it now and then.

[Grit_dog]

Also read the product data for your converter. It has 3 stage charging with a Float mode.
It is a battery tender, essentially.

[Grit_dog]

^Depends what you're running in the camper.
Read about voltage loss and amp draw and length/gauge needed for the load.

[Bumpyroad]

I keep my battery hooked up to a good charger on a timer so it just comes on a little each day.
bumpy

[oyarsa]

Sounds like a 30 amp outlet would be fine, then. However, I only have a 20 amp outlet currently available, and have to use two cords to reach it. Based on Beaker's post, that might not be a great idea?

[GrandpaKip]

We’ve been plugged into a 30A receptacle for the last 4.5 years, except when on the road. WFCO 8955. I’ve had to add water just a couple of times and very small amounts at that.

[BarneyS]

Huntindog wrote:
If you have a WFCO, it is a bad idea to just plug the trailer in.... WFCOs never go into float.

Nope. The converter is a WFCO but does go into float when appropriate.
WFCO 8955 description and specs.

OP, you should be able to leave the trailer plugged inn 24/7 without damage. Our trailer has a PD converter with the charge wizard and is usually left plugged in 24/7/365 and our batteries last about 8 years on average.
Barney

[wnjj]

The PD9245 in our camper does a wonderful job as a maintainer. Plugged in 24/7/365 (except when camping) and never have added a drop of water in the last 2 batteries it had in it ~6 years each.

[Grit_dog]

oyarsa wrote:
Thanks to everyone for the replies. I will have to read through them again and ask more questions. For now, Beaker, what experiences did you have with using a 30 amp to 20 amp plug?

Oyarsa, you have some good info and some conjecture in the responses here.

Conjecture is the 30-20 amp thing unless you are drawing too much current. Nothing to do with your question.
You said you have battery tenders, some responses didn't pick up on.
May help to do some reading on your converter/charger.

[oyarsa]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I will have to read through them again and ask more questions. For now, Beaker, what experiences did you have with using a 30 amp to 20 amp plug?

[happy2rv]

My preference is not to leave the RV plugged in all the time. There are several reasons for this. First, many (most) factory installed converter/chargers make lousy battery maintainers for long term use. Most of them have a tendency to overcharge and boil the batteries dry. Second, if you aren't using the RV, there isn't any reason to have all of the appliances, converter, TVs, etc... powered up waiting for a lightening strike or other power surge to hit them. The next couple of reasons aren't as big a deal, but still matter to some. There is no chance of forgetting to turn off the water heater, refrigerator, etc... if there is no power to the RV. There are always "parasite" power drains, the power it takes to run the clock in the microwave, keep the TVs in standby, etc...

It is true you could eliminate many of those problems by flipping the breakers to those appliances off, but that still leaves my first and biggest reason.

I kept our most recent TT plugged in for the first year and had to replace both batteries. Yes it's my fault for not paying close enough attention and not keeping the batteries topped off. After replacing the batteries, I installed a battery cutoff switch and wired in a battery tender quick connect directly to the batteries. Now when it's in storage, I flip the battery disconnect off and plug in the battery tender.

[time2roll]

Measure the voltage on the battery after a week of non use. 13.6 is normal, 13.2 is storage mode.

[Bobbo]

If your converter/charger is a Magnetec or a Parallax do not leave it plugged in. Most of the other brands, leave it plugged in. I love the Progressive Dynamics units. I leave my PD4645 plugged in 24/7/365.

The problem with WFCO is not that it won't go into float mode. The problem with that converter is it won't go into boost mode. As long as you don't boondock and try to fast charge your batteries every few days, the WFCO is fine.

[Beaker]

Be careful if leaving it plugged in and using 30 to 20 amp adapter. A couple of bad experiences will not have me doing it anymore.