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09-07-2019, 09:10 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Clinton, Tennessee
Posts: 399
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Plugged In at Home.
I have a 2017 Salem Hemisphere 23rbhl. I have owned a couple of campers. Always kept them plugged in at home.. all the time.
Now I am reading that this may not be a good idea. Will I cause damage to the battery or the electrical system in the camper?
__________________
2014 Rockwood Premier A-122S
2013 FORD F-150 STX, Super Cab
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09-07-2019, 09:13 AM
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#2
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DW's 401(k) Plan
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Western MD
Posts: 2,372
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck9997
I have a 2017 Salem Hemisphere 23rbhl. I have owned a couple of campers. Always kept them plugged in at home.. all the time.
Now I am reading that this may not be a good idea. Will I cause damage to the battery or the electrical system in the camper?
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Where are you reading it's not a good idea? I've been doing it for over 10 years and 3 different rv's.... no issues.
__________________
"Sunny" the 2017 Sunseeker 3010DS
2006 Jeep Liberty Toad
.... and lovin' life........MOST of the time.
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09-07-2019, 09:15 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 5,712
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Two TT's since 2008, plugged in all summer long in the driveway when not out camping. Frig running all summer also. Not a problem.
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09-07-2019, 09:15 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,587
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck9997
I have a 2017 Salem Hemisphere 23rbhl. I have owned a couple of campers. Always kept them plugged in at home.. all the time.
Now I am reading that this may not be a good idea. Will I cause damage to the battery or the electrical system in the camper?
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I agree with DaGrinch. I guess with some old trailers, the converter/charger could overcharge a battery. I haven't heard of that in a while.
__________________
2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra
Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69 |
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09-07-2019, 09:22 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Clinton, Tennessee
Posts: 399
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Maybe I'm misreading.. people have said something about the battery boiling over? Maybe it just means to regularly check and top off water?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaGrinch
Where are you reading it's not a good idea? I've been doing it for over 10 years and 3 different rv's.... no issues.
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2014 Rockwood Premier A-122S
2013 FORD F-150 STX, Super Cab
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09-07-2019, 09:25 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 5,712
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck9997
Maybe I'm misreading.. people have said something about the battery boiling over? Maybe it just means to regularly check and top off water?
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Possible if the Converter went bad and started overcharging. I never ran into that issue with our TT's.
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09-07-2019, 09:49 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,652
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In my 2000 rv it had a single stage converter and would over charge the battery. That is why I needed to disconnect the battery sometimes while camping with shore power on the unit. When in storage I had to disconnect the battery/disconnect from shore power occasionally to not over charge the batteries. I believe all rv's now (and for quite awhile) come with at 3 or 4 stage converter to prevent over charging and boil over.
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09-07-2019, 10:23 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,525
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It's OK to leave plugged in as others have said.... but why?
I could leave mine plugged in but choose to just use a Battery Tender Jr and shut off my battery disconnect.
That way my power center is not running unnecessarily and not subject to spikes or lightning or just sit out there as a (small but real) power drain.
My batteries stay full and the BT Jr uses a trickle of electricity only when needed.
My 2¢
Happy Trails!
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Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
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09-07-2019, 10:58 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,652
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Some people have a converter that plugs into a household receptacle in the RV and just unplug it and connect it directly to an extension cord from a 15/20 amp house receptacle.
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09-07-2019, 11:00 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: North Port Florida
Posts: 2,050
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Dan
I agree with DaGrinch. I guess with some old trailers, the converter/charger could overcharge a battery. I haven't heard of that in a while. |
X2 ..... Always plugged in
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Frank & Cindy--- (SOB) 5th Wheel ---2019 Ram 3500 Cummins 6.7 SRW 4x4 8' bed--- Payload 4394------Remi & Sage camping pups---TST 507 TPMS ... B&W Patriot 18K---3.73 axle ... Predator 3500---2019 48 days ---2020 28 days Camping
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09-07-2019, 11:55 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,844
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck9997
Maybe I'm misreading.. people have said something about the battery boiling over? Maybe it just means to regularly check and top off water?
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You're reading old ways of thinking, when converters were single stage. Modern three stage converters have been around for years and boiling batteries is a very rare occurrence. Of course, that doesn't mean you can just plug in and forget. You should always visibly check the water levels in your battery occasionally, whether it's plugged in or not.
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Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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09-07-2019, 01:10 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Pleasant Gap, PA
Posts: 458
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If battery water is topped off there should be no problem. My batteries charge off of solar every day without any worries. The utility company gets enough of my business so I'm not plugging into shore power at home.
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2015 Solaire 201SS
2015 GMC 2500HD Duramax
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09-07-2019, 01:19 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 528
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Home Power
The only way you can have a problem is if the converter quits operating properly. However, in today's RV's there are many things inside the unit that are a constant, though small, draw on the batteries, I have just made it a habit to periodically check the battery status and when it starts to drop, I plug it in long enough to recharge the batteries.
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09-07-2019, 01:30 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Woodland, CA
Posts: 30
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I have an EV charger and use that to get my RV ready for the road, can run the a/c as well on those 95/100+ degree days.
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09-07-2019, 07:15 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 49
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I have to agree with the OP. I have a 2018 2291SF, I leave it plugged in all season long. the last couple of times I checked my batteries(under the steps, in a steel box) they had boiled over. I finally had to remove the batteries and clean out the battery compartment with baking soda and if I had not done so it would have not ended well. A lot of shiny, acid eaten steel. The batteries continue to boil if left on the charger for the season. At the very least Forest River should have installed the batteries in hard rubber battery boxes to prevent the box from corrosion. So all you nay sayers maybe need to reevaluate the problems and not just brush off someone that says they are having a problem. I will have to do some fault isolation as to why the problem exists, but it is real.
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09-07-2019, 09:35 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Southeast
Posts: 1,047
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Nonsense about leaving it plugged in.
Whether plugged in or not, you always want to check your battery fluid levels if using that type battery. Keeping a battery charged and proper fluid level is the main thing to be concerned with. Keeping the fridge running will keep it cool and keep it from molding and getting smells if just sitting and not properly cleaned out, dried out and aired out.
__________________
2018 Forest River Rockwood Roo
24WS
2019 Ford SD F-350 SRW Lariat
Tow & Gooseneck Prep
FX4 Off Road (4X4)
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09-07-2019, 09:51 PM
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#17
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Brake is on left
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 1,095
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gene_M
I have to agree with the OP. I have a 2018 2291SF, I leave it plugged in all season long. the last couple of times I checked my batteries(under the steps, in a steel box) they had boiled over. I finally had to remove the batteries and clean out the battery compartment with baking soda and if I had not done so it would have not ended well. A lot of shiny, acid eaten steel. The batteries continue to boil if left on the charger for the season. At the very least Forest River should have installed the batteries in hard rubber battery boxes to prevent the box from corrosion. So all you nay sayers maybe need to reevaluate the problems and not just brush off someone that says they are having a problem. I will have to do some fault isolation as to why the problem exists, but it is real.
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The problem you have is likely caused by venting gasses reacting with the lead terminals and other metals and not boil over. I have left batteries on chargers for 5, 6 and even 12 months in my garage with no issue. On my truck, I get it occasionally on the battery hold downs.
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09-07-2019, 09:56 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Southeast
Posts: 1,047
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A boiled over battery usually indicates too much water was added above the recommended level. Or your charger regulator is faulty and putting in too much charge too fast.
__________________
2018 Forest River Rockwood Roo
24WS
2019 Ford SD F-350 SRW Lariat
Tow & Gooseneck Prep
FX4 Off Road (4X4)
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09-07-2019, 10:30 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 840
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We always keep our RV plugged into shore power when not on the road. We are fortunate to have enough room in our back driveway to park our 35-foot fifth-wheel, and we use it often as a guest house for family and friends who visit from time to time.
We always check all electrical systems, including battery fluid levels, on a regular basis, mostly monthly, to make sure everything is ready for our next RV trip.
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09-07-2019, 11:02 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: North Port Florida
Posts: 2,050
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I was concerned about battery charging when I brought my new camper home and after more research and some help on here found out I have a 3 phase converter which stops charging when full .... not all older units come with the multi-phase converter ... still should check level in battery .... Thanks Frank
__________________
Frank & Cindy--- (SOB) 5th Wheel ---2019 Ram 3500 Cummins 6.7 SRW 4x4 8' bed--- Payload 4394------Remi & Sage camping pups---TST 507 TPMS ... B&W Patriot 18K---3.73 axle ... Predator 3500---2019 48 days ---2020 28 days Camping
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