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Old 01-26-2016, 08:21 AM   #1
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Leave plugged in or not?

Hello friends! I am fairly new at this and have a brand new 2016 Forest River Vibe 268 RKS. The question in my mind is: should I leave it plugged in to the 120v service over the winter? Nothing is on inside but was wondering if it keeps the batteries topped off while plugged in or if it is actually bad for the batteries. I don't want to cook them dry but, if it doesn't trickle charge them at all, no need to keep the microwave clock functional. Thanks for your knowledgeable replies!!!
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Old 01-26-2016, 08:26 AM   #2
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Did you get a build sheet with your trailer....should have the converter model number...google that number for info on converter (and brand)
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Old 01-26-2016, 08:30 AM   #3
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Make sure your bats are fully charged, then use a float charger hooked to the battery(s). I say that because its works fine, and you are not using your converter for months on end, just to maintain your bats. Think useful life of any electrical equipment and replacement costs associated therewith. Converter $120 +, China freight float charger on sale $8 bucks.
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Old 01-26-2016, 08:34 AM   #4
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I have left the unit plugged in with all the RV's we've owned and have never had a problem.

There are parasitic power draws on the battery unless you completely disconnect it, and if you do that you still have to have some way to keep it maintained. I choose to let the converter/charger maintain it and keep the RV ready to go all the time.

If you completely winterize the unit and shut it down for a length of time, I'd suggest removing the battery(s) and maintaining them separately over the winter.
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Old 01-26-2016, 08:42 AM   #5
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I see in this "owners manual" that it DOES charge the batteries while plugged into 120v power supply. I have no build sheet telling me anything about this particular power converter. I do not expect it to be sitting for much longer, perhaps less than a month so maybe it will be ok. Thanks for the advice!!
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Old 01-26-2016, 08:42 AM   #6
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^^^^^^
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Old 01-26-2016, 08:43 AM   #7
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Most of the chargers built onto the Converter units are not the best of battery chargers. Some of the built-in chargers do not adequately reduce the charging level as the battery reaches full charge. As an option, you could use a good external/separate battery charger/maintainer. It's very important to always keep a eye on the liquid level in your batteries. So essentially, you have a choice as to which method you use. In either method, keeping the battery full of liquid is a normal task when you own a RV so you should make it a weekly task regardless if it's being stored or on the road.
You should also turn off the 12V switch on your unit when in storage. This will stop most, if not all, the drain on you batteries from various alarms, on/off lights, etc.
In my opinion, not plugging the unit in is not the best of choices when you have 120v available to your unit.
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Old 01-26-2016, 08:49 AM   #8
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This trailer has a 3 stage converter...has always been plugged in and has NEVER needed water added to battery....I check it once a month.
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Old 01-26-2016, 09:06 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bob caldwell View Post
This trailer has a 3 stage converter...has always been plugged in and has NEVER needed water added to battery....I check it once a month.
Interesting! I've owned 12Rv's including 3 diesel pushers (Gulfstream, Monaco Dynasty, Allegro Bus), and have NEVER had batteries that didn't occasionally need water. Only batteries that I've owned in all my years that didn't need water now and then were "sealed units".
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Old 01-26-2016, 09:38 AM   #10
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Guess I've just been lucky so far.......batt. is a group 31 from Costco
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Old 01-26-2016, 09:48 AM   #11
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as suggested on this here site...
i purchased a disconnect for my battery so:

the parasitic draws would not effect it,
the gremlins would not play with the power lifts,
i would have battery power when needed.

it has been effective so far...
thank you FRF
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Old 01-26-2016, 10:09 AM   #12
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I put the outside switches in locking type boxes
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Old 01-26-2016, 10:14 AM   #13
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I kept my trailer running all summer with the fridge stocked, no problems doing so. I now (3ft of snow) have it disconnected and on a battery tender. I have not checked my converter so I do not know if it is optimal but it works.
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Old 01-26-2016, 10:31 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bob caldwell View Post
I put the outside switches in locking type boxes


id like to see a picture of that mod...
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Old 01-26-2016, 10:59 AM   #15
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Old 01-26-2016, 11:33 AM   #16
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I leave mine plugged in and check the batteries occasionally see if distilled water needs o be added. Been doing this for years never had issues. Like any battery it should be left to drain down occasionally so it does not get a charge memory. Later RJD
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Old 01-26-2016, 01:33 PM   #17
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Key is a digital voltmeter. Do not want to continuously charge much above 13 volts for battery life with any charger. I have seen cheap maintainers above 14 volts causing damage.
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Old 01-26-2016, 01:50 PM   #18
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Once a battery is 100% charged it will only lose 5-15% a month depending on the temperature...(less in winter). No need to charge a wet cell at all for at least 90 days IF you disconnect the negative wire or use a disconnect device like this on the negative post. Only bad things can happen if you stay plugged in...and nothing can happen if you charge fully and disconnect....including freezing.
Measure with a voltmeter when you visit occasionally and apply a new full charge if it gets down to 12.2 Volts. If you live where it gets below zero regularly...re-charge at 12.4 volts to avoid freezing


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Old 01-26-2016, 02:33 PM   #19
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The disconnect switch at or near the battery is an excellent idea. I'm going to do that asap. I have 49.3 mm parasitic drain when the battery is connected even with the disconnect at the converter open. I wish I had a wiring diagram of this trailer but I may look at rewiring the switch. The parasitic drain is from the radio/ dvd and tv and usb. And probably the co2 sensor. But the simple way is the switch at the battery, brilliant! thanks.
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Old 01-26-2016, 02:38 PM   #20
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I also have left every RV we've had plugged in if we were using it or not. Never seemed to hurt it and no problems with the Batteries.
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