Quote:
Originally Posted by jaylowe
Are there any battery concerns when being plugged in to AC for 4 months at rv resort? We will be living in trailer and wondered if others found any low water battery levels.
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You've actually asked two questions.
Staying plugged in to shore power indefinitely won't cause problems. Your rig's charger is smarter than a battery maintainer...which you can also use indefinitely. I have maintainers on both my ATV/snowplow and my standby generator at home. The maintainers run 24/7/365, and those small FCLA batteries are in great condition after years of use.
As for the electrolyte levels, one must maintain those on a regular basis regardless. Popping the caps on a FCLA battery and topping off with distilled water is a matter of routine maintenance. If you exercise your batteries hard, as you might boondocking, or if you just leave them on a maintainer charger, you should check the electrolyte levels regularly.
From experience, I know my FCLA battery bank needs attention about every 2 to 3 months. I started by checking monthly and realized that, for my setup, this was overkill. I recommend you check monthly, and then adjust accordingly.
My rig is always plugged in if there is shore power, and the solar array on the roof never stops working either. It's relentless unless it's night or buried in snow. No harm, no foul, but I do have to top off electrolyte every 2 to 3 months.
__________________
Jim & Renee
2020 Jayco Jay Feather X-213
previously 2014 Forest River/Rockwood HW 277
2006 Ram 1500 4WD Crew with Firestone Airbags
Every weekend boondocking in the National Forests or at
Lake Vallecito.