Charge or Not to Charge?

[nathantoensing]

Ok so today we're officially "Full-Timers" (at least until March 2016). If you're in Tucson, AZ stop by the Lazydays KOA and say HI!
Question: When plugged in for months on end should I leave the system charging or should I turn the charging off?


--Nathan
2016 38a

[Happy Vibe]

You should not have to turn it off, just make sure you check the water level in the batteries every month or so.

[Campin Cajun]

If you mean the inverter, leave it off. I would also recommend cranking the engine once a month. You can stay on your site with jack and slides deployed, cranking the engine won't affect your jacks.

[nathantoensing]

Thanks all. I have the inverter off. I'm asking about the charging. (Button above inverter). That can be set to charge or bypass.


--Nathan
2016 38a

[Flybob]

I would continue to charge watching water level as noted. Might come in handy if power goes out.. Should also prolong life of battery.

[boowho]

Originally Posted by Flybob

I would continue to charge watching water level as noted. Might come in handy if power goes out.. Should also prolong life of battery.

I continuously charge min and I've been full timing for three years.

However, about once a month I turn the charger off and run on inverter only, to discharge the batts all the way down to 50%. Batteries need a stronger charge, besides the trickle, every now and again to keep the sulfate under control.

Boowho??

[Campin Cajun]

I don't have a button above my inverter for charging.

[boowho]

Originally Posted by Campin Cajun

I don't have a button above my inverter for charging.

Did you upgrade you Magnum control panel??

Boowho??

[nathantoensing]

Originally Posted by boowho

I continuously charge min and I've been full timing for three years.



However, about once a month I turn the charger off and run on inverter only, to discharge the batts all the way down to 50%. Batteries need a stronger charge, besides the trickle, every now and again to keep the sulfate under control.



Boowho??

Thanks Boowho! Done and Done!


--Nathan
2016 38a

[Paulie Boy]

I would recommend taking the coach out at least once a month to exercise everything. Also, run the genset weekly under a load.


Paul
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[Campin Cajun]

Originally Posted by boowho

Did you upgrade you Magnum control panel??



Boowho??

No sir I did not. I have the stock Magnum inverter that came with my coach.

[I-RV]

Nathan
Boo has a lot of money and probably has a fancy remote control. I am a peasant and have the MM-RC. see.....
Remote Controls | Magnum Dimensions

My rig is either always plugged in or running down the road. The float mode is intended to top off the batteries from the slight discharge that happens even without a load. - Hank

[siskom]

Everyone had great comments but I have two cents also put some fuel stabilizer in your tank whether its diesel or gas to many folks forget about it .

[nathantoensing]

Originally Posted by I-RV

Nathan
Boo has a lot of money and probably has a fancy remote control. I am a peasant and have the MM-RC. see.....
Remote Controls | Magnum Dimensions

My rig is either always plugged in or running down the road. The float mode is intended to top off the batteries from the slight discharge that happens even without a load. - Hank

Thanks Hank, Boo, et. all,

I'm not sure of my model controller but it looks exactly like both the pics from your link....he RC and ARC.

I would love a fancy remote control!!! I wish there was something I could install that would enable me to control everything via iPhone or iPad from anywhere! If there is let me know and I'll start a new thread!

Love this forum!!


--Nathan
2016 38a

[pmsherman]

I must have just missed you while I was there this past week. I'll be back next month and will try to stop by.

Phil
Georgetown 327DS

[Motodad]

I updated my controller to the Me-rc. Found it on eBay as a demo unit for 75$. Looks new and all I had to do is make the mounting hole bigger and plug in the Rg-45 phone type connector to the back of it. Took 20min. Great unit. Ps. I sold my old remote for 50$ on eBay. Lol.

[boowho]

Originally Posted by I-RV

Nathan
Boo has a lot of money and probably has a fancy remote control. I am a peasant and have the MM-RC. see.....
Remote Controls | Magnum Dimensions

My rig is either always plugged in or running down the road. The float mode is intended to top off the batteries from the slight discharge that happens even without a load. - Hank

NOBODY in this forum is on a smaller budget than I. IF I wasn't full time, there's no way I could afford this thing. Not complaining mind ya' I love my lifestyle and wouldn't do it any other way.

Boowho??

[boowho]

Originally Posted by nathantoensing

Thanks Hank, Boo, et. all,

I'm not sure of my model controller but it looks exactly like both the pics from your link....he RC and ARC.

I would love a fancy remote control!!! I wish there was something I could install that would enable me to control everything via iPhone or iPad from anywhere! If there is let me know and I'll start a new thread!

Love this forum!!


--Nathan
2016 38a

iPhone /iPad...... You sir are a forward thinking individual. I like that. I love finding new products that push the envelope of "thinking outside the box".

Boowho??

[northstar1960]

Originally Posted by nathantoensing

Ok so today we're officially "Full-Timers" (at least until March 2016). If you're in Tucson, AZ stop by the Lazydays KOA and say HI!
Question: When plugged in for months on end should I leave the system charging or should I turn the charging off?


--Nathan
2016 38a

I don't have a motor home but a TH xlr . i was in west yellowstone all summer and had the batteries disconnected while hooked up to electric , I would operate the tv off the batteries through a installed inverter . this way i could run the batteries down once a month and then charge back up . to have the batteries on charge all the time even though it's trickle will sulfate the batteries in no time . If there was a power outage which happened a few times then i would just turn on the battery disconnect .