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Storage Question

I searched for info regarding some questions, but.....

I am about to store the coach for a few months. I MAY have access to standard 110 service. How can I adapt a 50 amp cord to 110?? I won't have anything pulling power ( refer/ microwave, etc ), just want to keep batteries charged. No a/c either. I intend to turn the disconnect switch off at the door. I read that I should turn off compressors....HOW/ WHERE??? but should leave the compressor on for the slide ( HOW/WHERE ??). I will be in a barn-like structure, and want to spread out some D-Con. Any suggestions?? I hear I should disconnect the start batteries. First time storing it, so thanks for any tips
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Storage Question

Reply #1 –
Quote from: GleamB –
I will be in a barn-like structure, and want to spread out some D-Con. Any suggestions??

yes - DON'T USE RODENTICIDES!

They kill family pets and beneficial predatory birds like owls and hawks through secondary rodenticide poisoning.  This is a personal hot button for us since we have had to rush a dog to the emergency hospital for rodenticide poisoning.  We were "lucky" - the poison wasn't one of the "new and improved" ones for which there is no treatment, but our dog was on daily meds for a month and that was even after we had induced vomiting.  I've posted links before from veterinary sites and the Audubon Society about how bad this stuff is.

Use something like Fresh Cab in all the bays, engine bay, and inside the coach.  Mice tend to avoid well-lit areas so get some low-power LED rope lighting for under the coach and engine bay.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Storage Question

Reply #2 –
 I am using led Christmas tree lights and the peppermint oil.
 I have 110 plugged in a lot of the time . It connects to the 30amp chord. 

Re: Storage Question

Reply #3 –
Glenn, you are mixing volts and amps. All of your electricity thru your power cord is "110", actually more like 120 volts. Your power cord is for this electricity. You can get a 50 amp to 20 amp adapter to plug into the standard household electric outlet. This will be sufficient to keep your battery converter charging your coach batteries. If you turn your boost switch on it will charge all of your batteries if they are in good condition. Turn your fridge off and leave door open. If freezing conditions expected then more power than the household 20 amp service may be required to service some space heaters to keep plumbing from freezing.".
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: Storage Question

Reply #4 –
I believe you can get the 50 amp to 20 amp adapter at a number of walmarts.  I have also seen them at Home Depot.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Storage Question

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Horace B. Cupp –
If freezing conditions expected then more power than the household 20 amp service may be required to service some space heaters to keep plumbing from freezing.".

If you don't have frequent access to the coach to check on heat during freezing conditions, and you only have standard household A/C power - winterizing may be a better option..
James
w/ DW Erin, sons Gideon and Tobias, cats Oscar & Oliver
Fulltime 1999 U270 34' #5508

Re: Storage Question

Reply #6 –
Glenn,
Putting the BOOST switch on will indeed keep your Start Batteries up, but at a constant charge, Not good.  Better to get a float charger and plug that into one of the 110 outlets.
Adapters for the shore cable are readily available from most RV parts suppliers.
Speedbird 1.
2001 U320 Build #5865
Daihatsu Rocky Toad
VW Touareg
'82 F100 Stepside
Beech' Debonair

Re: Storage Question

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Blinded04 –
If you don't have frequent access to the coach to check on heat during freezing conditions, and you only have standard household A/C power - winterizing may be a better option..

^ Excellent point, especially since the coach in question is a U320, which has an AquaHot.  You do not want the AquaHot to freeze.  I don't believe you can reliably run the electric side on a single (15 amp) household circuit (given other loads in the coach).

n.b.  to winterize a coach with an AquaHot, you MUST use the pink antifreeze and follow the procedure in your owner's manual.  Simply blowing out the water lines with air isn't sufficient.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Storage Question

Reply #8 –

Glenn

On the compressor - I like to shut mine off, in case of leaks it won't burn up. You can find the fuse, but for convenience, I cut the red wire leading to the compressor in the bay, and installed a simple male/female spade type connector inline. At that point I can reach in and easily disconnect/connect the 12V compressor.

As for the slide, I close the air supply - it is a valve in the basement - in mine in the forward of the two storage bays, mounted high on the wall drivers side. a quick 90 degree turn and badder is isolated in the full position. Of course if you have a leak at the valve or after the valve, the slide will slowly deflate. A good reason to check on your coach periodically

If you do not have a  battery maintainer or trip-l-start type device - it is a good time to get one -

I like this brand and model - it can be bought many places

Battery MINDer 1500 PLUS 12v 1.5A Charger / Maintainer

As previously mentioned, you can adapt from 50 AMPS to a common 20 Amp plug. Usually you have adapters on board a used coach. Look for one about 2 feet long that will adapt from your 50 Amp to 30 amp, and another less than a foot long that will adapt from 30 amp to 20 amp

here is an example of a 50 - 30 amp adapter

Amazon.com: Camco 55185 PowerGrip 30M/50F AMP 18" Dogbone Electrical Adapter...

and here is an example of a 30 to 15 amp adapter

Amazon.com: Camco 55165 15M/30F 12" PowerGrip Dogbone Electrical Adapter...

BTW, make sure if you are in a building your autostart on your generator is in the "OFF" position, you don't want the generator running in an enclosed building if you were to lose power for an extended period

I like to drive my coach for 30 minutes or more and exercise my generator every 30 days. I also visit the coach once during the time between the exercise drives just to see how everything is going.

try using the "search" box  - upper right on the forum - a lot of these questions are already answered and you don't have to wait for a reply - "search is your friend"

hope the helps and good luck

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Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)
 

Re: Storage Question

Reply #9 –
Lot of information to digest above.  Here is a summary:

- You can buy a 50 amp to 20 AMP (standard household 3 prong) many different places.  You may have to buy two adapters to accomplish this (50 amp to 30 amp, then 30 amp to 20 amp)
- Turn off compressor / slide air using guidance above.
- Although some plug into 20 amp and use the boost switch to keep engine batteries, many others (including myself) will tell you it's better not to use it long term. If you don't have time to install a trick-l-start or something similar, then just grab the ol fashioned wrench and disconnect the engine battery.  They should be fine for a two month period.
- It it will be cold, best bet is to winterize without a serious "keep warm plan."  If it won't be cold, then lucky you!
James
w/ DW Erin, sons Gideon and Tobias, cats Oscar & Oliver
Fulltime 1999 U270 34' #5508