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Old 09-26-2011, 05:21 PM   #1
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keeping rv plugged in

Is there any harm in keeping a rv plugged in, to a 120 volt house/garage outlet with a adaptor, for charging my 5th wheels 12 volt battery ??
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Old 09-26-2011, 05:49 PM   #2
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no, as long as your converter doesn't cook the battery.
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Old 09-26-2011, 05:51 PM   #3
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Plugin

We were advised during our walk thru that if we keep it plugged in we need to keep a check on the battery fluid. The charger is very simple and will cheep charging and the fluid will boil out.
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Old 09-26-2011, 06:18 PM   #4
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I live mine plugged in 24/7 365 .
never had an issue.
most newer units have a 3 stage charging system as mine does
1st bulk charge
2nd absorption charge
3rd float charge
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Old 09-26-2011, 06:21 PM   #5
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I'd be really surprised and disappointed if a 2011 5th wheel didn't have
a decent 3 stage charger.
It won't "boil the water" out of your battery!

Folks are all too often given old/outdated info on the walk thru.
I think you are one of them!

IF you want follow up go jot down the make and model number of
your on-board power center/converter and tell us what it is.
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Old 09-26-2011, 06:25 PM   #6
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Ditto: mine has been plugged in for 18 months minus camping without hook-ups. Only issue was when I first bought the trailer I thought I needed a regular battery charger, thought I bought a good 3 stage black and decker charger and fried the batteries --- dead--- dealer replaced them without question with new batteries and I have never again used the battery (B&D) charger, no issues since then.

p.s The fridge has been on almost for the duration that the trailer is not winterized, no issues there either.
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Old 09-26-2011, 06:31 PM   #7
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kydan is correct ! It will not boil the water out !
My 2006 tt that i traded had a three stage charger on it as well . I had it for 6 years plugged in 24/7 365 still had original battery.
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Old 09-26-2011, 06:32 PM   #8
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What are the best brands of 3 stage chargers to get?
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Old 09-26-2011, 06:36 PM   #9
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what model of convertor do you have in your unit now ?
your convertor has a built in charger .

should look like this . or close to it .

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Old 09-26-2011, 06:44 PM   #10
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That looks familiar
However, I need to remove the battery while storing my TT over the winter, so I am in the market for a charger.
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Old 09-26-2011, 06:49 PM   #11
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buy a battery tender brand trickle charger !
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Old 09-26-2011, 07:33 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f1100turbo View Post
kydan is correct ! It will not boil the water out !
My 2006 tt that i traded had a three stage charger on it as well . I had it for 6 years plugged in 24/7 365 still had original battery.
Same here...2006 TT, always plugged in. No problems. (Of course, that was a 3 stage converter/charger.)

As for a stand-alone charger, the Battery Tender brand is great, but a little expensive. ($45.19 @ amazon)

Amazon.com: Battery Tender 021-0128 Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger: Automotive

I have had great luck with the Schumacher onboard units for maintenance charging...($22.60 @ amazon)

Amazon.com: Schumacher SE-1-12S Fully Automatic Onboard Battery Charger - 1.5 Amps: Automotive



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Old 09-26-2011, 08:01 PM   #13
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I use BatteryMinder Plus, very happy with it.

Amazon.com: BatteryMINDer Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator - 1.3 Amp, 12 Volt, Model# 12117: Automotive
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Old 09-27-2011, 04:47 AM   #14
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I should have said my 5th wheel is... a Keystone 2012 model Cougar high country 299rks
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Old 09-27-2011, 06:58 AM   #15
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Look at your paper work and see what model of converter you have.
no doubt it should be a three stage charger.
I believe after correct me if I'm wrong 6 or 7 days it goes into float mode and trickle charges.
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Old 09-27-2011, 09:15 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dretired View Post
I should have said my 5th wheel is... a Keystone 2012 model Cougar high country 299rks
You should have gotten a pack of owners manuals for all appliances
including the converter/charger.
Telling me what trailer you have doesn't help us find your exact
charger.
Take a few minutes to read your charger owners manual.
You have to look at your papers or just open the door on your
power center and get a make and model # from there.

I'm fairly confident you have a 3 stage charger and it's made to take good
care of your batteries.
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Old 09-27-2011, 09:41 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frankm View Post
X2! We have a 3-stage converter but I prefer the Battery Minder. IMO it does a better job of keeping the battery in peak condition. There is anti-sulfation circuitry in it. I use one on my motorcycle battery. It is 9 years old and works like new. My tractor batteries are 6 years old and going strong. Also on Battery Minders.
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Old 09-27-2011, 12:28 PM   #18
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Battery Tender Plus

Battery tender plus $39.99
These guys are local to me and I order stuff from them all the time.
This is the cheapest price on the internet. It's always free shipping
and out of state pay no sales tax.

I use the cheaper battery tender Jr on my trailer and truck and motorcycle
and lawn mower.
They have it for $20 with free shipping.
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29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
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Old 09-27-2011, 01:34 PM   #19
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The chargers for deep cycle/marine batteries here from Canadian Tire are $150.oo.
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Old 09-27-2011, 03:08 PM   #20
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i will check my owners literature
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