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Battery Charge while in storage

I just switched storage facilities It is probably the best in the nation. Just opened at a cost of $7 million plus. BUT, to my surprise,  after I paid a years worth of rent with no refund ( I didn't ask) here is my situation.

I have 3 brand new 8D Deka AGMs replacing 3 Deka Gels. I am told that all I will receive is 3 hours a day of charging from a 20 amp outlet. With the coach electrical power off, will there be enough electrical power supplied to keep the batteries at 100% charged? Te owner says that several engineers conspired to determine that there will be no issue.

Any thoughts would be helpful & appreciated.

  Lou In Goodyear, AZ
I have a 2003 36' U295, 27,000 owned for 17 months. This is my 1st & last.  Like to meet other owners.VP of 4 Corner Chapter MotorCader especially in CO. In learning process looking for qyality, knowledgeable service center. Also, spend winters in Goodyear, AZ Contact at LRDECAROL@AOL.COM.

Re: Battery Charge while in storage

Reply #1 –
No problem. 60A-H is way more than the parasitic drain. I'd be more concerned about someone tripping on the power cord and leaving you unplugged.

Make sure you add a battery tender or minder to keep the chassis battery charged.

The most safe solution is to disconnect the negative leads to both sets of batteries.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Battery Charge while in storage

Reply #2 –
With the negatives disconnected they won't charge.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Battery Charge while in storage

Reply #3 –
With the negatives disconnected they won't discharge either.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Battery Charge while in storage

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Tom Lang –
With the negatives disconnected they won't discharge either.
Actually, they will slowly discharge, at a predictable rate, which is dependent on temperature.  For example, see info linked below:

https://www.cdtechno.com/pdf/ref/41_7272_0112.pdf
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Battery Charge while in storage

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Actually, they will (self)discharge, but at a rate which is dependent on temperature.  For example, see generic chart below:
Agree, have a couple of red top agm's I keep for emergencies, after 6 months they will drop from 12.6 to 12.2 volts. If you are storing the coach for a long period, would use the 3 hrs of charging and a battery combiner. Three hours a day should be more than enough. Just set your inverter/charger for 15 amp input.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Battery Charge while in storage

Reply #6 –
20 amps at 120 volts for 3 hours (180 minutes) a day is not even close to being an issue for the batteries. LOL I think you hit the nail on the head that the engineers conspired on this project, to make a boatload of money to install the necessary components to accomplish this. Return on the investment about 1200 years +/- ^.^d
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Battery Charge while in storage

Reply #7 –

I believe simpler is better.  Have a disconnect installed near both house and chassis batteries.  I like to do the ground disconnects, for me, less chance of shorting out.  Leave stored with these disconnected. Check in on your rv once in while and check battery voltage, charge as needed.  This is the best way to know for sure they are being taken care of.  Start out with them fully charged. You will be fine, with only occasionally topping off. 

Of course this assumes you will occasionally be in the area of the motor home.  Attached are mine I did last year.  Like you, I have 3 East Penn made 8D AGM for house that I bought from Dan, (AC7880)., 2 GRP 34 AGM for chassis.  For me they are too much to replace because of being careless, to just leave them unattended for the winter.  Thankyou Dan (AC7880), for selling me your 8ds for the value of the core charge, made it a year now since meeting you at AM Solar, so I feel I am even at this point.  Thank you also to the previous owner that properly took care of them and that now lets me continue to get the benefits of their capabilities.

Mine were stored this way thru last winter in Oregon.  I did not have electricity on a post available.  I would go down, check, and occasionally run my generator to charge thru my Xantrex Inverter/Charger.  Yours will be easier since you actually will have electricity available to you on a post (or plug).  I had the connect cables made at the local Interstate distributor.  I ordered and used the following two disconnects for the house and chassis disconnects.  This winter I am traveling without the rv, will charge both up to full, disconnect, and leave unattended for several months and charge to full when I return.

Amazon.com: Blue Sea Systems e-Series On/Off Battery Switch: Blue Sea...                  House, 350 AMP $36
Amazon.com: Blue Sea Systems HD-Series Heavy Duty On-Off Battery Switch:...          Chassis, 600 AMP $75

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Battery Charge while in storage

Reply #8 –
Simple answer is ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM. 
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020
 

Re: Battery Charge while in storage

Reply #9 –
Mannnnnny thanks to all for your comments. They were educational, insightful and most of comforting. Owning a Foretravel is a continual learning process for me. All your experiences shared are appreciated.

    Thanks,

      Lou De
I have a 2003 36' U295, 27,000 owned for 17 months. This is my 1st & last.  Like to meet other owners.VP of 4 Corner Chapter MotorCader especially in CO. In learning process looking for qyality, knowledgeable service center. Also, spend winters in Goodyear, AZ Contact at LRDECAROL@AOL.COM.