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01-20-2017, 10:34 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 33
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Plugged in over winter, NOT battery question
Hi, first timer here. This is an inverter question not a battery question. I want to keep my 2016 wildwood 32bhds plugged in to shore power for at least 4 months straight. I am trying the plug in ultrasonic mice deterants things. I've tried bounce sheets, moth balls nothing works. Is it bad to have the inverter run so long consistently? I've disconnected the batteries so they won't cook. Thanks
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01-20-2017, 10:39 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Northen IL
Posts: 8,267
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chenzo
Hi, first timer here. This is an inverter question not a battery question. I want to keep my 2016 wildwood 32bhds plugged in to shore power for at least 4 months straight. I am trying the plug in ultrasonic mice deterants things. I've tried bounce sheets, moth balls nothing works. Is it bad to have the inverter run so long consistently? I've disconnected the batteries so they won't cook. Thanks
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If you're going to leave it plugged in you might as well leave the batteries connected. I always leave mine plugged in from April to October every year with no problems. I know many others that do the same.
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01-20-2017, 10:43 AM
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#3
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
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You will get LOTS of opinions.
First you have a CONverter which keeps the batteries charged (120v to 12v) not an INverter which transforms 12v to 120v.
Many converters don't handle 'no loads' well. (batteries disconnected)
With no battery load, the converter can/will constantly put out its highest voltage as it 'sees' nothing to compare to for its charging circuitry.
My advice.... connect the batteries, plug it in and let the converter do it thing.
They are manufactured to be plugged in all the time not just sometimes so it won't hurt a thing.
Check the battery levels monthly.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=64
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01-20-2017, 10:45 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 1,458
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its probably worse for the inverter to not be connected to the batteries than any issue around being plugged in for 4 months straight
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2015 Ram 2500 4x4 6.4l with 2015 Sandpiper 25RLS
Wife, myself and 2 furry kids
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01-20-2017, 11:39 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,556
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As 5picker said, it's a CONverter, not an INverter.
Most leave their RV plugged all the time.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Forest River Forums mobile app
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Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
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and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
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4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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01-20-2017, 01:02 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 331
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Mouse ultra sound things don't work. Try poison and traps.
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01-20-2017, 01:03 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 2,024
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All the above. I keep mine plugged in all winter as well and have don e that for the last 3 units and I leave the house batteries hooked up. Your cinverter will keep them topped off all winter...
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01-20-2017, 01:05 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Central New York
Posts: 1,165
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If you do a lot of dry camping and battery life is important, I would lean toward not letting the converter just run for 4 months with the batteries connected. One other option would be leave the trailer plugged in but flip the breaker off for the converter. You would need to disconnect the batteries still to avoid having the parasitic load drain it/them, and the downside to that would be you wouldn't have lights until you either connect the battery or turn on the converter.
I just don't trust the cheap OEM converter to properly maintain the battery. On mine, the stock converter never, ever seemed to drop the voltage into float mode. It could sit for 2 weeks, and still be putting out 13.7 volts.
My 4 year old Interstate batteries were completely shot this spring, so I bought 2 new Trojans. Not wanting to take any chances I also upgraded the converter to a Progressive Dynamics from Best Converter. What a difference - when I plug in it goes straight to boost (14.3 volts), then drops to bulk (13.8) and eventually gets to float mode at 13.2. Plus it has a 4th stage where it goes through a desulfinate cycle when in float mode for extended periods. Leaving that converter plugged in for months while in storage wouldn't concern me.
If you normally camp with the hookups, yeah, probably fine to just stay connected as long as you check the water level periodically. Otherwise, storing the battery disconnected and periodically maintaining the charge is going to extend its life and maximize its capacity.
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2022 Columbus 379MBC (Previous 2013 Rockwood Roo 23 IKSS)
2023 F-350 (Previous 2017 F250, 2005 F-150)
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01-20-2017, 01:10 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 10
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I always leave my 08 Wildcat plugged in with batteries connected when not in use.
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01-20-2017, 01:42 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 33
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Ok, so if I plug into shore power, disconnect the batteries and shut off CONverter, I will have 110 power, no 12v power, batteries won't cook and save the converters life? And hopefully keep the mice away. Did I get the jist of it? Thanks
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01-20-2017, 02:17 PM
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#11
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chenzo
Ok, so if I plug into shore power, disconnect the batteries and shut off CONverter, I will have 110 power, no 12v power, batteries won't cook and save the converters life? And hopefully keep the mice away. Did I get the jist of it? Thanks
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You got it.
BTW... those sonic pest deterrents don't work either!
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=64
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01-20-2017, 02:27 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 423
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If you leave the batteries, check the water level. That is critical for the life of the batteries. I have used a Battery Profil, available @ Camping World & most RV dealers. It allows you to fill your battery(s) without having to access them.
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01-20-2017, 03:26 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SE Iowa
Posts: 628
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if you want to control mice get yourself a good bull snake
i have one living in my garage and haven't seen a mouse in years
haven't seen the snake either but i do find the skin it sheds
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2016 SANDPIPER 35ROK
2013 Silverado Duramax 3500HD DRW LB
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01-20-2017, 03:35 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,243
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You should still periodically check the batteries. If they discharge enough the will freeze and crack. They may make it 3-4 months and they may not.
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2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
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01-20-2017, 05:16 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 283
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The Jayco trailer I recently traded in was plugged in whenever it was here at home for 7 years and still had the origina! group 24 Interstate battery when I sold it. Never had to add water, so the smart charger did its job.
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2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab
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01-20-2017, 06:13 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Kenosha Wisconsin
Posts: 582
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That's the way I've done it for 3 years.. No mice for me..
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2013 Ram 2500 "Cummins"
2014 Columbus 340RK
Month of July in the Egg Harbor Campground, Door County, WI
5 stars
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01-20-2017, 06:55 PM
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#17
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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Batteries self discharge over time and discharged batteries will freeze solid.
If you decide NOT to leave the converter running, you MUST remove them to a place where they will not freeze.
I leave my WFCO converter running all winter with the batteries connected.
In fact since the DW had a kidney transplant last year, the batteries have been on the converter for over 18 months now and they are still solid.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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01-20-2017, 07:02 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Minnesota, St. Paul suburb
Posts: 335
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NorSnrub
Mouse ultra sound things don't work. Try poison and traps.
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If you buy the cheap little round ones you're correct that they don't work. If however you buy the larger ones they actually do work. I've been using them successfully in my house and garage for over five years and have had 2 of them in my 5th wheel for the past 3 years. The ones I use that actually work are a Black & Decker product.
There's much more to the story when I first tested them but that's definitely a campfire discussion.
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2018 Cedar Creek Silverback 29IK
18 Silverado 3500 HD Dually 6.6 Duramax 4X4
Ultimate Aluminum 5th Wheel Hitch, TST tire monitors w/repeater
Semi-Retired February 3, 2014
Bob & Cindy
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01-20-2017, 07:14 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 108
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Have had really good luck with Tomcat bait bars in plastic dispenser. Put mine under sink with doors closed. Mice like to come up around drain pipes where they come up though floor! Keep away from pets and children!!!
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2017 Flagstaff 524RLWS
2015 F150 , 5.0 , 3:55 axle
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01-20-2017, 07:54 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,275
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chenzo
Hi, first timer here. This is an inverter question not a battery question. I want to keep my 2016 wildwood 32bhds plugged in to shore power for at least 4 months straight. I am trying the plug in ultrasonic mice deterants things. I've tried bounce sheets, moth balls nothing works. Is it bad to have the inverter run so long consistently? I've disconnected the batteries so they won't cook. Thanks
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Hey Chenzo, I might have missed it, but you don't say where you live (if freezing is an issue) nor what type of battery you have (or batteries). I won't rehash what other said only give a X2 on leaving it plugged in continuously, with a 3 or 4 stage charger (converter/charger) that shouldn't be an issue with battery (ies) in place, but I wouldn't walk away and come back 4 months later, hoping for the best. If you have an AGM or sealed battery (naturally) you can't add water. If freezing is an issue, why not remove the battery like was suggested, turn off converter via breaker; keep it on shore power for the mice thingies. Even then, I would check the unit... in probably in two weeks; if okay, come back in a month... then repeat. I don't know anything about mice deterrents, but D-con works well. But, you better find the dead critters in a timely manner
W
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