dkuntz
Colorado
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My storage facility has the ability for me to hookup to shore power while it’s in storage and it’s included with my monthly lease. I have a keystone Cougar 5th, 2020.
1) Should I connect to the power source to keep the batteries charged?
2) Should I connect a battery maintainer instead?
3) Does it matter if I’m turning the battery disconnect switch on anyway….?
Appreciate any insight as to why you would recommend one versus the other and why.
2019 GMC Sierra 2500 Duramax, short bed
2020 Keystone Cougar Fifth Wheel 29MBS
Diamondback cover - Sided loaded
2017 Polaris Sportsman 450
2015 Polaris Sportsman 570 X2
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rk911
DuPage County
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unless your converter/charger is a newer 'smart' device that will sense when the batteries are fully charged and will then revert to maintenance or float mode use an external device that will do that.
Rich
Ham Radio, Sport Pilot, Retired 9-1-1 Call Center Administrator
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wolfe10
Florida
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Please tell us what converter, charger or inverter/charger you have.
A "smart" one-- leave it plugged in 24/7/365.
A "less than smart one"-- use a smart battery maintainer or fully charge the batteries and disconnect them.
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'FDDS
Ex: 1997 Safari 35'
Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
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wa8yxm
Davison Michigan (East of Flint)
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Shore power or a "Battery maintainer" Such as a Battery Tender.
The answer depends on your converter. A good 3-stage converter like an IOTA with IQ-4 or a Progressive Dynamics with Charge wizard.... (None better) PLUG IN.. by all means PLUG IN.
Magnetek 6300 UPGRADE the converter to one of the above and Plug in
What is it company that bought out Magnetek and improved it. Parallex 7300 Use a maintainer.
Those are examples. What is the difference from worst to best.
The magnetek 6300 had no regulation no "Smarts" it just keeps charging and has a well deserved reputation for killing batteries.
The parallex 7300 and 7300T.. The 7300 is a "Float" charger. IT's ok but the batteries never top off the 7300T has a timed BOOST mode when it first plugs in ... Better but still not much better.
The Progressive Dynamics Wizard or Iota's IQ-4 are 3-stage PLUS converters that sense the battery state and go into BOOST, Absorption or float depending on what's needed.. Now I'm not sure about the IQ-4 (Think it does this) But the Wizard after so many hours of float will go into a short "Equalize" mode which can also extend battery life.
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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IMHO, no battery "likes" to be connected to any kind of charger 24/7 for weeks on end.
Plug your RV in, but turn the battery isolator off. Use a battery maintainer plugged into an old fashioned mechanical lamp timer. Set the timer for about 4 hours per day.
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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I have my RV hooked up to a timer and have it come on for a few hours a day.
bumpy
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haste maker
alabama
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I have two "Battery Tenders" I use one for the coach battery's & one for the engine battery.
Retried Teamster
2007 Allergo
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opnspaces
San Diego Ca
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You definitely can't answer that question until you know the make and model of the charger. Look on the power distribution center (where all the circuit breakers and fuses are)
Be aware that the battery disconnect switch may not actually disconnect all loads on the battery. So just flipping the switch may still allow the battery to drain and die.
A battery maintainer hooked directly to the battery with the disconnect switch set to disconnect the battery would be you best be until you can determine the make and model of the charger.
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Hi,
When I travel for more than a week I connect the battery in my car to a 2 amp charger. I have a timer that charges the battery for 2 hours per day. The starter battery is OEM and ten years old.
I do this because of parasitic loads.
Many RV's have a disconnect switch so there are no parasitic loads to be dealt with.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Everything these guys have said is correct. If it’s a smart charger/converter that also works as a maintainer then you’re good to go.
If not either get one that is since it probably doesn’t charge well either.
Or use just a maintainer
Or fully charge and unhook the batteries.
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