New Owner Quick Question

[Frankie1977]

Hey guys i just bought a 2017 Forest River Salem Hemisphere 312QBUD.First time out it worked flawless,just wanted to ask is it better to disconnect the terminals from the batterys or wait till the battery gets low and charge it with my charger. Forgive me i am new to the game and have a lot to learn.

[badger5301]

I leave our 2017 Rockwood 8289WS plugged in year round. I just check battery for water level once in a while. Did the same on past units with no issues. If I were not able to keep it plugged in I would remove the battery and keep it in the heated garage with my lawn tractor batteries where I charge them once a month.

[Kimber45]

I do both depending on how long between trips. my heritage glen does not have a disconnect switch so I just pull the negative.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

I just pull the negative.

X2.

That or a battery disconnect switch stops the parasitic drain that these new rigs seem to have.

[bikendan]

I apply the disconnect switch ONLY when it's being stored with no shore power.

[rlh1957]

When I turn the battery disconnect switch... that's what it does. It doesn't take a charge from the converter even if the shore power were plugged in. Have to use an outside charger.

[SailorSam20500]

On mine, I always use the battery disconnect if I'm not actively using the trailer. I don't have power where its stored and the battery would be dead in 3-5 days due to parasitic issues.


If you let the battery get below 50% (under ~12 volts) you seriously compromise the battery life.

[RVPP]

I have a small solar panel, 12X12, hooked up all the time. That said I do bring the battery, InterState deep cycle 27 series, home and charge in Dec. The battery is five years old and has passed the 'stress' test so far.