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06-29-2015, 08:02 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 109
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Shore Power/Battery
Just curious if plugging into shore power charges the 12 volt battery. I'm thinking a trickle charger is my best bet if does not. Any ideas? Appreciate the response!!
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06-29-2015, 08:16 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,287
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You don't say what unit you have. Most RV's have a convertor that will charge the battery if connected to shore power. If you have one of the lower end convertors (WFCO) it will trickle charge ( not intelligent maintain) and can eventually cause the cells to go dry. It is the easiest and most convenient way to keep the battery charged, but you need to continually check the water levels. I use a Battery Tender to keep the battery charged between trips. It is computer controlled and will not cause water levels to drop. You just add the quick connect to the battery and when parked plug in the battery tender.
Battery Tender Plus 021-0128 12V Battery Charger - Walmart.com
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06-29-2015, 08:24 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 109
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Thanks for the reply Bob. I have a 2007 flagstaff 206st pop up. It sounds like we both have the same type of charger. I bought my pop up last fall and are working out the unknowns. Thanks again
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07-03-2015, 06:07 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 830
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Just disconnect the battery negative when not in use. Or install a shut off switch
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07-03-2015, 06:57 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 2,058
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My suggestion would be to get the converter model number. The one on my 2012 model is a three stages, and is one of the lower WFCO models. Then look up the model on the companies website. Three states of my WFCO model:
Absorption mode/Normal operation - Supplies nominal battery charge and supplies power to appliances
Bulk mode/Charge mode - Supplies fast battery charge and supplies power to appliances
Float mode/Trickle charge - Supplies trickle battery charge during storage
__________________
Trailer: Lifted 228BH, heavy duty springs and Yokohama tires DELAMINATED ROOF
TV: 2016 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 CC, SLT
Spare TV: Two Alaskan Malamutes
Living somewhere in ID; previously lived in Moab UT; previous to that, don't ask!
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07-03-2015, 07:30 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 133
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trickle/ tender charger
My old Sears battery charger still works but you have to monitor it..and keep the battery cell caps off/loose...is this required when you use the trickle charger? I have a rockwood 1940 with the power crank for the roof; after setup I usually disconnect the pos/neg leads to the battery- I worry about accidentally tripping this while the roof is raised- and would like to hook up a tender. I know I was told by someone here to install a disconnect but have not done that. Can you leave the battery caps on while using the tender? Thank you!
__________________
2012 Rockwood 1940ltd
2004 GMC Sierra 4x4
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07-03-2015, 08:20 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 744
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When hooked up to shore power , disconnect the batteries either by a shut off switch or by disconnecting the negative side from the battery/batteries, making sure that the cable does not touch any metal on the trailer.
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07-03-2015, 08:51 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 520
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Uhmmm.......say again?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pipeman
When hooked up to shore power , disconnect the batteries either by a shut off switch or by disconnecting the negative side from the battery/batteries, making sure that the cable does not touch any metal on the trailer.
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07-03-2015, 08:58 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 520
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Yes you can leave the caps on........the Battery Minder is more of a float charge....will not make the battery boil like your single stage charger.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ringbill
My old Sears battery charger still works but you have to monitor it..and keep the battery cell caps off/loose...is this required when you use the trickle charger? I have a rockwood 1940 with the power crank for the roof; after setup I usually disconnect the pos/neg leads to the battery- I worry about accidentally tripping this while the roof is raised- and would like to hook up a tender. I know I was told by someone here to install a disconnect but have not done that. Can you leave the battery caps on while using the tender? Thank you!
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07-03-2015, 10:47 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 2,058
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pipeman
When hooked up to shore power , disconnect the batteries either by a shut off switch or by disconnecting the negative side from the battery/batteries, making sure that the cable does not touch any metal on the trailer.
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Why? And if the negative cable is disconnected, nothing will happen if it touches the frame.
__________________
Trailer: Lifted 228BH, heavy duty springs and Yokohama tires DELAMINATED ROOF
TV: 2016 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 CC, SLT
Spare TV: Two Alaskan Malamutes
Living somewhere in ID; previously lived in Moab UT; previous to that, don't ask!
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07-03-2015, 12:54 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 744
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well if you want to try and put the negative cable on any part of the frame when you disconnect it from the battery, go ahead. then it will be charged by the converter and if you're camping for any length of time, you'll be checking the level of electrolyte in the battery/batteries after a while. by touching the frame your batteries will still be connected as if you didn't disconnect the negative battery cable. If you want to charge the batteries from shore power then the cables have to be connected in order to use the converter. It seems we are not on the same page here. I was talking about when hooked up to shore power, you wouldn't have to worry about the converter continually charging the batteries. I was talking on the same lines as kinma13.
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07-03-2015, 01:58 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 2,058
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pipeman
well if you want to try and put the negative cable on any part of the frame when you disconnect it from the battery, go ahead. then it will be charged by the converter and if you're camping for any length of time, you'll be checking the level of electrolyte in the battery/batteries after a while. by touching the frame your batteries will still be connected as if you didn't disconnect the negative battery cable. If you want to charge the batteries from shore power then the cables have to be connected in order to use the converter. It seems we are not on the same page here. I was talking about when hooked up to shore power, you wouldn't have to worry about the converter continually charging the batteries. I was talking on the same lines as kinma13.
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Here is your original statement, "When hooked up to shore power , disconnect the batteries either by a shut off switch or by disconnecting the negative side from the battery/batteries, making sure that the cable does not touch any metal on the trailer."
No, I guess we are not on the same page. If you disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery and lay that cable on the frame, where is the connection to the battery that will cause the battery to be charged? The cable is now connected to the frame on both ends; thus there is no circuit path to the battery(ies).
So, yes, I'm confused. Please let me know how a battery that no longer has a negative cable attached to it can be charged by the converter.
As for a converter possibly overcharging that is not true for all converters. For that reason the OP should check to see what his converter offers. Mine does a great job of charging the batteries on my unit. I have monitored the charge levels via a Trimeter meter and when first plugged in to an AC source, the converter goes to a high voltage for a set time, then drops to a trickle charge.
And only times I have had to add water was after the fluid had splashed out on some of the trails I have driven on, where the trailer was bouncing around on the holes, ledges, etc.
__________________
Trailer: Lifted 228BH, heavy duty springs and Yokohama tires DELAMINATED ROOF
TV: 2016 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 CC, SLT
Spare TV: Two Alaskan Malamutes
Living somewhere in ID; previously lived in Moab UT; previous to that, don't ask!
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07-03-2015, 02:18 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 744
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Well this is embarrassing f5moab you're right and I'm wrong. For some reason I was seeing in my mind different than what I was trying to explain. The kicker was when you said the cable is now connected on both ends. The light went on over my head and I now bow down to you. I was seeing the negative cable still connected to the battery and the other end on the frame and still continued on debating. I'm smelling wood burning and it's like being next to a campfire....where I will be on Sunday and it's making me crazier. I'm going to stand in a corner now.
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07-03-2015, 03:04 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 2,058
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Don't stand in the corner! It was interesting and believe me, I have made mistakes too. I was just trying to understand. It's a holiday weekend, at least it is here, and your Canada day was just a few days ago.
Have another beer and relax. Heck, living in Windsor you can celebrate twice in one week. And those fireworks are great on the River.
__________________
Trailer: Lifted 228BH, heavy duty springs and Yokohama tires DELAMINATED ROOF
TV: 2016 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 CC, SLT
Spare TV: Two Alaskan Malamutes
Living somewhere in ID; previously lived in Moab UT; previous to that, don't ask!
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07-03-2015, 03:12 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 744
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Yup and I hope all those people camping in the UP of Michigan leave me a spot. Heading up there Sunday morning at 0 dark 15. 8 hour drive from here. My better half will have medication for me while I set up...dark rum & coke. She makes good ones....I stood in the corner until you answered me... The fireworks started an hour early, in daylight, as there were storm warnings up. As it was, they would have been ok to start at 10 PM. Stay safe.
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07-03-2015, 03:53 PM
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#16
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Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,457
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I also use the battery tender plus got mine at Costco. Very reasonable to purchase and you really don't have watch for over charging. You can attach the charging cables to the batt but when your ready for a trip it has a disconnect option on the charging cable so that you can leave the battery clamps attached to the battery. Later RJD
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07-03-2015, 07:15 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 2,058
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pipeman
Yup and I hope all those people camping in the UP of Michigan leave me a spot. Heading up there Sunday morning at 0 dark 15. 8 hour drive from here. My better half will have medication for me while I set up...dark rum & coke. She makes good ones....I stood in the corner until you answered me... The fireworks started an hour early, in daylight, as there were storm warnings up. As it was, they would have been ok to start at 10 PM. Stay safe.
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My mother came over from Windsor, and I actually grew up in Detroit; went to college while living in that area, then scooted out.
Is the Tunnel BBQ still around? Some great ribs there!
From what I can remember, if going to the UP this time of the year; take a lot of "OFF" to ward off the billion or so mosquitoes that will be looking for fresh blood.
Have fun in the UP.
__________________
Trailer: Lifted 228BH, heavy duty springs and Yokohama tires DELAMINATED ROOF
TV: 2016 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 CC, SLT
Spare TV: Two Alaskan Malamutes
Living somewhere in ID; previously lived in Moab UT; previous to that, don't ask!
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07-03-2015, 07:31 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 133
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my batt
Good discussion, I am certainly going to get a tender. f5moab, I lived in Huntington Woods and Oak Park, Michigan from 1960-1969. I loved the international food festivals in downtown Detroit by the river. I fondly remember Belle Isle, learned to water ski up on a lake by Grayling. A good friend went to Wayne State, grew up with heroes like Al Kaline and Willie Horton. I went back for several years after that working summers cleaning swimming pools- did you ever cruise Woodward Avenue? I am saddened by the downturn in the city but some are rebuilding the inner city, hope to re-visit some day. The UP was definitely a wonderland; Mackinac Island was a great visit.
__________________
2012 Rockwood 1940ltd
2004 GMC Sierra 4x4
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07-04-2015, 08:14 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 2,058
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Yes, drove Woodward ave many times, Totem Pole, Big Boys to Ted's,
As for Detroit....no desire to ever return to that place!
__________________
Trailer: Lifted 228BH, heavy duty springs and Yokohama tires DELAMINATED ROOF
TV: 2016 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 CC, SLT
Spare TV: Two Alaskan Malamutes
Living somewhere in ID; previously lived in Moab UT; previous to that, don't ask!
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07-05-2015, 06:23 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 109
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Thanks for all the responses! I think? So the way I am understanding this is that I do NOT need a 12 volt battery connection to run the interior lighting as this is done by the converter/inverter? (when connected to shore power.) I have not yet disconnected the battery during hook up as this probably explains why the power lift is alittle slower when bringing the top back down.
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